Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, White Collar Crimes; view more
Licensed in California since: 2009
Education: University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2019 - 2023 Call today:
916-827-2697
Donato Legal Group
1395 Garden HwySuite 100
Sacramento, CA 95833 Visit website
With a proven track record of winning for his clients and passionately advocating for the rights of those who have been accused of committing a crime, Alan J. Donato is a criminal defense attorney at the Donato Legal Group. Representing clients in California, he is experienced in all areas of complex criminal litigation, cannabis law and white collar crime. The Donato Legal Group is also the leading firm in regards to administrative appeals of costly cannabis abatement penalties levied against homeowners.
Mr. Donato earned a Juris Doctor, graduating in the top 10% of his class at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. While in law school, he was also certified in oral advocacy, and for his skills in courtroom advocacy, he was given high honors and inducted into The Order of Barristers. After graduation, he worked for a time as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, where he had the chance to help train young lawyers in trial advocacy.
The American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, as well as, Attorney and Practice Magazine both named Mr. Donato one of the 10 Best Attorneys in California, and he was inducted into the Lawyers of Distinction Honor Society. In 2020, the Donato Legal Group was recognized as one of the top 10 criminal defense law firms in California by the "Best of the Best." Sacramento Magazine also named Mr. Donato one of Sacramento's Top Lawyers in 2019, 2021, and 2023 and he is a member of The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys. Mr. Donato was honored as "Attorney of the Year" in 2023 by the Sacramento County Bar Association, and in 2024 Sactown Magazine selected him as one of the Top Attorneys in Sacramento.
National Public Radio recently published a piece about one of Mr. Donato's cases whereby a Sacramento Superior Court Judge dismissed a $270,000 fine against his client and ruled that the City of Sacramento had violated his client's constitutional rights to fair notice and due process. The City was forced to dismiss the case and the lien against his client's home. For more information about the Donato Legal Group or this particular case, please visit their website at Donato.Legal
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, DUI/DWI, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Parole, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Slip and Fall, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations, Trucking Accidents, White Collar Crime
- 70% Criminal Defense
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Criminal Defense: White Collar
- 10% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 2009, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.donato.legal/our-team/alan-donato/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Adjunct professor of trial advocacy (mock trial) at McGeorge School of Law.
Pro bono / Community Service
- Vice President of Land Park Pacific Little League, 2023
- Girls Softball Little League and Travel Ball Coach, 2023
- Tee Ball Coach for Land Park Pacific Little League, 2019
- JV Baseball Coach for McClatchy High School in Sacramento., 2007
Educational Background
- Mr. Donato graduated Order of the Coif (top 10% of the class) with Great Distinction and was certified in Oral Advocacy. Mr. Donato was also inducted into the Order of the Barristers for high honor in trial skills and courtroom advocacy., 2006-2009
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Guest lecturer on numerous occasions for undergraduate class on criminal procedure at Sacramento State University. , Guest Lecturer, Criminal Procedure, Sacramento State University, 2022
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Proud father of four children and happily married to my wife since December of 2008., 2021
Honors
- Chosen as private defense attorney of the year by the criminal law section of the Sacramento County Bar Association. , Attorney of the Year, Sacramento County Bar Association, 2023
- Recognized as law firm of the year for excellent case results and client reviews., Law Firm of the Year, American Institute of Legal Professionals, 2025
- Selected as one of the leading attorneys in the Sacramento area., Top Attorney, Sactown Magazine, 2024
- Selected trial attorney of the year , Litigator of the Year, American Institute of Trial Lawyers, 2023
- "Rising Star in Norther California", Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2023
- "Rising Star in Norther California", Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2022
- Recognized as an expert in the area of criminal defense and the top Lawyer in Sacramento, Top Attorney, Sacramento Magazine, 2021
- "Rising Star in Northern California”, Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2021
- Top ten attorney in California in the are of criminal defense., Top 10 Attorney, America's Best Attorneys, 2021
- Top 10 criminal defense law firms in California. , Best Law Firm, Best of the Best, 2020
- "Rising Star in Northern California”, Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2020
- "Rising Star in Northern California”, Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2019
- Top 10 Criminal Law Attorneys in California, Top Ten Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine, 2019
- Recognized as an expert in the area of criminal defense and the top Lawyer in Sacramento, Top Attorney, Sacramento Magazine, 2019
- Selected as among the top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in the USA., Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Nation, National Trial Lawyers, 2018
- 10 Best Attorneys in California for exceptional and outstanding client service, Best in Client Service, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2017
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2019 - 2023
