Michelle MacDonald

MacDonald Law Firm, LLC

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101

651-222-4400

Business, Child Custody, Civil Rights, Contract, Co-Parenting, Criminal Defense, Divorce, Elder, Family, Probate, Real Estate, Restorative Justice, Trusts and Estates


Family Lawyer Minneapolis St Paul MN Michelle L. MacDonald

"Our law firm is built on relationships that grow by getting to know our clients and their unique legal needs."

Michelle MacDonald has a passion for justice, and strives to make the process as clear and straightforward for her clients as possible. Michelle’s knowledge of the law and experience in the courtroom give her credibility. Her easy-going style establishes trust - a great combination to assist parties in resolving disputes. Michelle is recognized as one of the most skilled and knowledgeable attorneys, concentrating in the areas of Family Law, Divorce, Paternity, Adoption, Estate Planning, and Probate, including Civil Litigation and Appeals. Michelle’s Divorce and Estate Planning clients have benefited by her general knowledge of a broad range of legal areas including Business, Real Estate, and Criminal Defense. Michelle graduated cum laude from Boston College, receiving her BA degree in Communications and English. She earned her law degree from Suffolk University, and completed the program of Instruction for Lawyers at Harvard Law School. Michelle applies the same zeal, whether handling a Divorce, Estate Plan, or Probate involving a modest estate, or millions in assets. Michelle has served as a Conciliation Court Judge in Hennepin County 1999 - 2014, and as an Adjunct Referee, Family Court from 1992 - 2012. Michelle is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law, Children's Law, ADR sections, Past co-chair Professionalism Committee, and Dakota County Bar Associations. Michelle is a certified parenting time expeditor; parenting consultant and a Rule 114 qualified Mediator. Michelle founded Family Innocence - a non-profit dedicated to keeping families out of court: resolving conflicts and injustices peacefully: who's mission is to eliminate court and litigation for families around the country. Michelle is founding member of the cooperative private divorce project (divorce without courts). She is admitted to practice law in the Minnesota Supreme Court; United States District Court of Minnesota; United States Court of Appeals; and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. Michelle ran for Minnesota Supreme Court Justice in 2014 and in 2016 garnering 46.5% and 41% of the vote. She aspires to be a United States Supreme Court Justice. Visit www.macdonaldforjustice.com for more information about her campaign for justice for all.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is Voluntary - It encourages cooperative problem solving. Your neutral mediator maintains order during the mediation and makes certain both sides are heard. The mediator is not an advocate. The mediator does not decide the outcome. The mediator assists people in communicating and reaching their own agreements.

Mediation is Simple - The basics of Dispute Resolution are simple. Two or more people are in a dispute. One person contacts the others with the option of mediation instead of litigation. They agree on what method of Dispute Resolution will best suit their situation.

Qualified Neutrals - We have attorneys and mediators who are Rule 114 qualified neutrals. A qualified neutral must be qualified through continuing education courses. Maintaining qualification as a neutral requires continuing education credits every year. In Mediation you create your own agreement. Research has shown that people are more likely to abide by agreements they create.

Legally Trained Mediator - While a neutral does not have to be an attorney, a legally trained neutral is sometimes the best option. Most disputes have legal implications. Lawyers are better equipped to handle the legal aspects of Dispute Resolution. A mediator that is also a lawyer can take the facts and figure out how the law applies.

Circle Facilitators –. Another powerful way to resolve conflict is a restorative justice circle, that anyone can start by sitting down with a trained facilitator. Here we work to help you communicate with each other to identify the sources of conflict, central themes and common topics including behaviors that can cause upset. Circle facilitators advocate a unitive system of justice that is equal and voluntary, and integrates restorative justice practices, where those in conflict meet in a safe space, hear each other out, and decide what to do about their conflict.

1069 South Robert Street
West Saint Paul, MN 55118

P: 651-222-4400
F: 651-222-1122
E: [email protected]