Michael McDonnell

attorney michael mcdonnell has been practicing law in california for over 40 years, is one of the most prominent criminal defense attorneys in orange and los angeles counties, recognized for his extensive trial experience and track record of successful results. national directory of attorneys martindale-hubbell has given mr. mcdonnell an av preeminent rating, reflecting the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the legal community. after receiving his bachelor of arts degree from the university of san diego (usd), mr. mcdonnell attended usd’s school of law, where he earned his juris doctor in 1967. following law school, he was admitted to practice in california and the united states district court for the central district of california. since then, mr. mcdonnell has been admitted to the u.s. district courts for the central, southern, northern and eastern districts of california, the western district of texas, and has been granted pro hac vice admission in the districts of arizona, nevada, colorado, georgia, oregon, new jersey pennsylvania, hawaii, florida, east and north texas, arkansas, north carolina, washington, ohio and iowa. mr. mcdonnell is also admitted to practice in the u.s. courts of appeals for the fifth and ninth circuits, as well as the u.s. supreme court. as a prominent figure in the southern california legal community, mr. mcdonnell maintains active memberships in the orange county bar association, california attorneys for criminal justice, the california public defenders association, and the national association of criminal defense lawyers. he is a staunch advocate for protecting the rights of criminal defendants, including juvenile offenders. mr. mcdonnell’s impressive track record of assisting dui defendants is showcased by his office’s reported case before the california supreme court: larsen v. department of motor vehicles (1995) 12 cal. 4th 278.