 Mary K. McDonald has been a partner with McCarthy McDonald Schulberg & Joy since October 1996. Her focus on family law is a natural outgrowth of her pre-law experience as a caseworker with Children Youth and Families (formerly Child Welfare Services). Appearing in Juvenile Court led to her enrolling as an evening student at Duquesne University of Law in 1975 so that she could have a greater impact on the population she served. During her law studies, she continued her full-time employment with the agency, progressing to a position as the liaison with Juvenile Court, ombudsman and Legal Education Trainer. Following graduation in June, 1979, Attorney McDonald became the first staff attorney for CYF from 1980-1982.
Ms. McDonald worked with the Allegheny County Law Department as an Assistant County Solicitor from 1980-1982. She was recruited to take over representation of Plaintiffs in cases originating under the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (URESA) from the District’s Attorney’s Office while continuing her representation of CYF in Juvenile Court. While an Assistant County Solicitor, she set up the program to systematically collect support from working parents whose children were in county-funded care.
In 1982 Ms. McDonald was appointed as a Hearing Officer with the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. In that position she conducted thousands of hearings establishing, modifying and enforcing child support and spousal support. At times she also sat as a Master, hearing certain aspects of divorce cases. In 1985 she was named the Administrative Hearing Officer, supervising the other hearing officers and being involved developing and implementing court procedures in the area of support.
Ms. McDonald moved from the public to the private arena in 1989 when she became associated with the Matrimonial Law Group at ReedSmith, a large international firm headquartered in Pittsburgh. In that capacity she represented clients in all aspects of matrimonial litigation and negotiation, including drafting prenuptial agreements, divorce related actions (complete hearings as well as negotiated settlements), custody, support, adoptions, Protection From Abuse actions, enforcement of settlement agreements, appeals and juvenile court matters. In 1996 she joined McCarthy McDonald Schulberg & Joy as a partner, combining her family law background with three other women who shared her vision. In 2007 she completed training in Collaborative Law. She also received certification in Basic Mediation Training -- Divorce and Family Mediation in 2007.
During her career, Ms. McDonald has participated as a lecturer for many organizations, including the New York Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania. She has also provided pro bono services to KidsVoice (formerly Legal Aid for Children), the Allegheny County Bar Association Foundation (representing Plaintiffs in Protection From Abuse hearings), the pro se program of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County and Legal Resources for Women and Orphans’ Court in contested termination cases . She served on the committee of the Orphans’ Court to revise the local rules governing adoptions.
Ms. McDonald is a member of the following legal associations:
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Allegheny County Bar Association - ACBA Judiciary Committee (2 terms) and Women in Law Committee, member of the Juvenile Law Committee 1980 to present, previously Vice-chair and Chair of the Committee, Current Chair of the Opinions Subcommittee; |
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Fellow of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation since 1998 |
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Family Law Section |
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Currently Secretary of the Family Law Section, elected to Family Law Council 1991 through 1993, 1996 through 1998; Chair of the Guidelines Committee 1991 through 1993; Co-chair of Court Relations Committee 1995 to present; |
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Lawyer’s Insurance Committee |
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Pittsburgh Legal Journal opinion editorial staff |
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Pennsylvania Bar Association member of the Family Law Section |
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American Bar Association member of the Family Law Section; |
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Women’s Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania (founding member 1989; past Chair of the Membership Committee, past Treasurer, past Co-president; member of Judiciary Committee). In 1999 she received the Susan B. Anthony Women’s Bar Association Award. |
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Collaborative Law Association of Southwestern Pennsylvania (founding member) |
Ms. McDonald has received the highest ratings in both legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell. She was selected for inclusion in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2007 and 2008 which is based on a statewide survey of attorneys and an evaluation by the Law and Politics’ research department.
Ms. McDonald serves on governmental as well as non profit boards. She served two terms on the Board of Advisors of Shuman Center, the local shelter for juvenile offenders. She is currently a Commissioner on the Commission on Human Relations of Pittsburgh, is a Director on the Board of Seton La Salle High School and is an active member of the Executive Womens Council. Ms. McDonald is also a member of her Parish Council (past president), and is a member of the Serra Club of Pittsburgh where she held several offices. She and her husband live in Pittsburgh.
Ms. McDonald may be reached by telephone at (412) 471-9900
and by e-mail at mcdonald@mmsj.com. |
