Patrick A. McDonald graduated magna cum laude from University of Detroit Law School in 1961, and received a Masters of Law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1962 in the E. Barrett Prettymen trial program in the District of Columbia. He served as a captain in the U. S. Air Force as a Staff Judge Advocate in France (1962 to 1965).

Mr. McDonald has served as an arbitrator since 1976 and is a member of the National Academy of Arbitrators, National Labor Panel, American Arbitration Association, and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, as well as the Fact Finders Panel of the Michigan Employment Relations Commission for the State of Michigan. Pat serves on numerous permanent panels for employers and unions. His other primary area of practice includes estate planning and probate law.

He served as an adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Detroit Mercy Law School from 1965 to 2002 and Ave Maria Law School from 2002 to 2009.

He is affiliated with the following organizations: President and CEO, Mt. Elliott Cemetery Association; director and past chairman, Board of Directors, Delta Dental Plan of Michigan and Ohio; former member, Board of Trustees, Siena Heights University, Adrian, Michigan; member, Board of Directors, past chair and present member, Board of Directors, Guest House; member, President’s Cabinet and Executive Board, University of Detroit Mercy; member, American, Michigan, Detroit and Federal Bar Associations; past commissioner, State Bar of Michigan; past president and member of the Detroit Board of Education (1966-1976); past president, Michigan Soccer Commission; former director, Providence Hospital and Brighton Hospital.

Over the years, Mr. McDonald has received numerous honors and awards, including being a member of the University of Detroit Mercy Sports Hall of Fame, Outstanding Young Man of Detroit and Michigan, and Who’s Who in America. He was among the first to be ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in 1972 (40 years) and has authored numerous articles for publication. Admitted to practice in Michigan, Colorado, and the District of Columbia. Mr. McDonald is the author of the Magnet Plan for Schools which has been adopted in the majority of School Districts in the United States.

Committees: Planning/Fundraising and Policy/Personnel

Term expires 12/2024