John L. McDonnell, Jr.

Attorney John L. McDonnell, Jr., serves of counsel with the Hartog, Baer & Hand APC law firm in Orinda, California. Certified as an estate planning, trust and probate law specialist by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Mr. McDonnell focuses his practice primarily on estate planning and administration, trust planning and administration, estate and trust litigation, fiduciary asset management, marital property agreements, and other estate-related matters.

Along with being a top-rated and tenacious trial attorney, Mr. McDonnell is highly trained in mediation and arbitration, and he has achieved notable success helping his clients resolve their disputes and reach agreements in the most efficient and cost-effective manners possible. Throughout his more than 54 years practicing law, Mr. McDonnell has gained extensive experience in a variety of legal areas, including construction litigation, aircraft accident litigation, personal injury litigation, martial dissolutions, criminal defense and more.

A native of Oakland, California, Mr. McDonnell graduated maxima cum laude from St. Patrick's College and then attended the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he obtained his Juris Doctor in 1963. The State Bar of California admitted him to practice the following year, and since that time, Mr. McDonnell has remained highly active in the organization, serving in a number of leadership roles on many of the bar's committees.

He also remains active with numerous other professional legal organizations, including the American Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association and The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, among others. A respected leader in his field, Mr. McDonnell has published dozens of articles and texts involving estate administration and handling decedents' estates and trusts, and other similar topics. He also conducts continuing legal education seminars across his region, and he continues to serve on the board of counselors for the University of San Francisco School of Law.

Recognized for his service and professionalism, Mr. McDonnell holds an AV Preeminent peer review rating* from Martindale-Hubbell, and The Best Lawyers in America has selected him for the past 18 consecutive years.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

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