Judge John E. McDonald, Jr.: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. John E. McDonald, Jr. is first justice of the East Boston Division of the Boston Municipal Court in Massachusetts. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Deval Patrick in 2013. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Lawrence E. McCormick (Ret.).

During his tenure on the bench, McDonald held an assignment as an associate justice of the Central Division before being named first justice of the East Boston Division in 2014. He also served as the presiding justice of the Dorchester Division Drug Court and first justice of the East Boston Division Drug Court.

McDonald received a B.A. in economics from Boston College in 1988. He then completed a J.D. at the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law in 1991.

After law school, McDonald worked for two years as an assistant district attorney with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office (1992 to 1994) before going into solo practice at his own private practice in 1994. He maintained his solo practice, which concentrated on both civil and criminal litigation, until 2006.

It was at that time, he was appointed to serve as an assistant clerk magistrate in the Central Division of the Boston Municipal Court. McDonald held this position until joining the judiciary in 2013.

He was born in Quincy, Massachusetts. At the time of his appointment, McDonald resided in Braintree.