JOHN K. MCDONALD began his legal career in the Granite State. While in New Hampshire, John participated as second chair in the largest jury verdict in New Hampshire at the time in his first jury trial. John also briefed and argued three cases in front of the New Hampshire Supreme Court and won a case authored by Justice Souter who later when on to the United States Supreme Court.
John, a Connecticut native, returned home in 1991 and began practicing with Kernan & Henry which later become Kernan, Scully & McDonald. In January of 2022, John started his own practice MCDONALDLAW, PLLC which is in Waterbury where he is a third-generation lawyer in the Brass City. During the course of his 30-plus years of practicing in Connecticut, John has tried jury cases in the majority of the Judicial Districts in the state as well as tried cases in the United States District Court.
John does not actively advertise, rather most of his cases are referrals from other lawyers who trust him with their client’s personal injury cases. He also has been trusted to serve as local counsel for a Philadelphia law firm that specializes in aviation matters and in particular airplane and helicopter crashes. When there is a matter he does not handle, John also knows who can be trusted with a client’s case.
As he likes to say, “Who are you going to trust, your own lawyer or a billboard?”
EDUCATION
- BA – Hobart and William Smith Colleges - 1983
- JD – Case Western Reserve University - 1987
COMMUNITY ACTIVITES
- Gift of Adoption CT -- Board Member
- Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition – Board Member
- Highfield Club – President
HOBBIES
Golf, skiing, cycling, hiking, trap shooting
PERSONAL
Born June 1, 1960, in Waterbury. Raised in Middlebury. Graduated from Pomperaug High School. Married with two children.
PRACTICE AREAS
- Motor Vehicle Collisions
- Uninsured/Underinsurance Claims
- Workers Compensation
- Defective Products
- Estate Litigation
- Construction Job Site Accidents
- Defective premises cases including ice and snow fall cases
- Local Counsel for airplane and helicopter crashes