×
Go back to Martindale-Avvo ➔
John E. Macdonald
Pro

John E. Macdonald

5.0
113 reviews

1 Turks Head Place, Suite 1440, Providence, RI 02903

Criminal Defense, Post-Conviction Remedies, Deportation and 131 more

About John E. Macdonald

John E. MacDonald is a trial attorney with 25+ years experience practicing Criminal Defense, Family Law, Immigration Law and Post-Conviction Relief in Providence, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Mr. MacDonald represents clients in state and federal court in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

He has aggressively and successfully defended clients charged in every type of criminal case, including capital murder, child molestation, sexual assault, felony assault, domestic assault, patient abuse, bank fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud. He is the former president of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Mr. MacDonald is the author of Rhode Island Criminal Defense, A Practice Manual (9th Edition), a top rated trial manual used by criminal defense attorneys throughout Rhode Island.

Mr. MacDonald represents clients seeking permanent residence and naturalization. He practices before the Providence Immigration Office and the Boston Immigration Court. For many clients facing deportation, the only recourse is post-conviction relief; that is, vacating the original conviction in state or federal court. Mr. MacDonald has successfully vacated convictions in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Mr. MacDonald is an honors graduate of Suffolk University Law School (1995) and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Rhode Island (1990). He is admitted to practice in all state courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He is also admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for the Districts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Mr. MacDonald is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and past president of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (RIACDL).

 

Awards

Client Reviewed
This badge is granted to attorneys who have been reviewed by a past client.
Champion Badge Reviewed
Peer Reviewed Rated
This badge is granted to attorneys who have been reviewed by another attorney.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer PR
Avvo Client's Choice
This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com.
Avvo Client Choice

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

John E. Macdonald got this award in 2021

Reviews for John

Have you consulted or hired this lawyer?

Leave a review about your experience with this lawyer.

Write a Review

Overall Rating
5.0
See All Reviews
113
5.0
Lawyers.com
1
4.8
Martindale
1
5.0
Avvo
111
Showing 1-1 of 1 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
100%
4 stars
0%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
5.0
Quality of Service
5.0
Responsiveness
5.0
Value for Money
5.0
Litigation
Posted by anonymous
November 20, 2019
Hired Attorney

I've retained dozens of attorneys. John E. MacDonald (or "Mac") is in the TOP TWO, with not a single other (aside from his co-counsel) being able to approach Mac's VAST legal experience, acumen, & SUPERB judgment. With myriad cases he's won, Mac's integrity, knowledge, skill, & dedication set a new gold standard within this profession. Grave abuses of power by gov. employees make public servants seem to be kings & emperors, & most around them tremble at the thought of opposing them. The most important & valuable checks & balances on these people is not the courts (for the most egregious abusers are often the courts themselves), but instead the independent defense attorney. Mac is the kind of man who makes the most powerful people reconsider their abuses of power, because they know that Mac won't hesitate to hold them accountable. Some Founding Fathers were defense attorneys. Mac is a giant among these giants of world history. Attorneys who are defendants hire Mac!

 
From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Criminal Law 45
    • Criminal Defense
    • Post-Conviction Remedies
    • Juvenile Criminal Law
    • Juvenile Delinquency
    • Juvenile Law
    • Bribery
    • Computer Crime
    • Burglary
    • Capital Offenses
    • Crime Victims Compensation
    • Civil Forfeiture
    • Criminal Conspiracy
    • Criminal Fraud
    • Driving While Intoxicated
    • DUI/DWI
    • Expungements
    • Extortion
    • Federal Criminal Law
    • Felonies
    • Forgery
    • Hit and Run
    • Homicide
    • Mail Fraud
    • Manslaughter
    • Misdemeanors
    • Money Laundering
    • Murder
    • Parole and Probation
    • Search and Seizure
    • Sex Crimes
    • Shoplifting
    • Stalking
    • Theft
    • Traffic Violations
    • Vehicular Homicide
    • Victims Rights
    • Weapons Charges
    • Wire Fraud
    • Wiretapping
    • Drugs and Narcotics
    • Civil Drug Forfeiture
    • Controlled Substances Law
    • Drug Crimes
    • Drug Forfeiture
    • Drug Trafficking

  • Immigration 17
    • Deportation
    • Immigration Law
    • Immigration and Naturalization
    • Citizenship
    • Diplomatic Immunity
    • Employment Authorizations
    • Employment Immigration
    • Employment Visas
    • Family Immigration Law
    • Labor Certifications
    • Investor Visas
    • Permanent Visas
    • Political Asylum
    • Refugee Law
    • Religious Visas
    • Removal Proceedings
    • Visas
  • Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Family Law 31
    • Child Abduction
    • Child Custody
    • Child Sexual Abuse
    • Child Support
    • Child Protection
    • Child Dependency
    • Child Custody Mediation
    • Grandparents Custody
    • Grandparents Visitation Rights
    • Interstate Child Custody
    • Juvenile Dependency
    • Parental Kidnapping
    • Parental Rights
    • Termination of Parental Rights
    • Alimony
    • Cohabitation Agreements
    • Divorce
    • Divorce Arbitration
    • Domestic Violence
    • Marital Agreements
    • Marital Property Settlements
    • Matrimonial Law
    • Non-Traditional Family Law
    • Palimony
    • Paternity
    • Post Divorce Modification
    • Postnuptial Agreements
    • Premarital Agreements
    • Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs)
    • Spousal Support
    • Uncontested Divorce
  • Fathers Rights
  • Commercial Law 2
    • Commercial Fraud
    • Commercial Crimes
  • Technology and Science 1
    • Computer Fraud
  • Assault 2
    • Assault and Battery
    • Sexual Assault
  • Appellate Practice 1
    • Criminal Appeals
  • Drivers License Suspension
  • Malicious Prosecution
  • Annulment
  • Collaborative Family Law
  • Property Law 2
    • Community Property Law
    • Marital Property Law
  • Agency and Distributorships 2
    • Equitable Distribution
    • Marital Property Distribution
  • Restraining Orders
  • Legal Separation 1
    • Separation Agreements
  • Entertainment Law 1
    • Art Fraud
  • Consumer Law 1
    • Automobile Fraud
  • Identity Theft
  • Trusts and Estates 1
    • Dependent Adult Abuse
  • Asylum
  • Civil Rights 1
    • Immigration Discrimination
  • Litigation 4
    • Civil Litigation
    • Complex Litigation
    • Defense Litigation
    • Trial Practice
  • Personal Injury 2
    • Negligence
    • Negligence Defense
  • RICO 1
    • Civil RICO
  • White Collar Crime 3
    • Embezzlement
    • White Collar Criminal Defense
    • White Collar Fraud
  • Other 2
    • Fraud and Deceit
    • Civil Fraud

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1995, Rhode Island
    2002, Massachusetts
    Memberships
    Rhode Island Bar Association
    Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
    National Association of American Immigration Lawyers.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Suffolk University
    Class of 1995
    J.D.
    Other Education
    University of Rhode Island
    Class of 1990
    B.A.

Email John E. Macdonald

Case type is required.
A valid zip code is required.
A valid city is required.
State is required.
Country is required.
Outside the US or Canada?
Message is required.
0/1000 characters

Contact Information

First name is required.
Last name is required.
A valid email address is required.
A valid phone number is required.

By clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Lawyers.com and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

Thank you! Your message has been successfully sent.

For your records, a copy of this email has been sent to

Summary of Your Message
Case Type:
Zip Code or Postal Code:
City:
State:
Country:
Case Description:
Contact Information
First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Return to Profile

Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, John E. Macdonald is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, John E. Macdonald has a 4.8 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Client Review rated?
    Yes, John E. Macdonald has a 5.0 Client Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney offer any legal services for a flat fee?
    Yes, John E. Macdonald offers fixed fees for certain legal services.
  • Does this attorney accept major credit cards?
    Yes, John E. Macdonald will accept MasterCard and Visa.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

These FAQs include information about a lawyer's background, but do not evaluate their knowledge of the law, past performance on individual cases, personality, or communication skills.

It is solely the responsibility of lawyers and law firms to ensure that any information they provide complies with all applicable laws and rules of professional conduct.

You should be aware that the information we rely upon may not be comprehensive, or frequently updated.

Always research the lawyer further to get a better understanding of their license credentials, disciplinary status, background, and experience.

Lawyers.com Client Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.

The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. People who submit reviews are either individuals who consulted with the lawyer/law firm or who hired the lawyer/law firm and want to share their experience of that lawyer or law firm with other potential clients. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals.

Martindale-Hubbell validates that a reviewer is a person with a valid email address. As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. The content of the responses is entirely from reviewers.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page

Martindale Peer Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. Lawyers solicited for peer reviews include both those selected by the attorney being reviewed and lawyers independently selected by Martindale-Hubbell. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell’s extensive attorney database. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating.

What are the different Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings?*

• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.

Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites.

For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings™, please visit our Ratings Page on Martindale.com and our Frequently Asked Questions

Avvo Client Reviews

Ratings and reviews are feedback from people who have either consulted an attorney about an issue (but may not have hired the attorney) or people who hired an attorney as a current or former client and provided their feedback to our sister site, Avvo.com.