John E MacDonald

PRO

John E MacDonald

5.0
112 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 30 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Providence, RI
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Immigration, DUI & DWI ... +2 more

One Turks Head Place, Suite 1440, Providence, RI

Virtual Consultation Available

About John

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 30%

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. Mr. MacDonald is the author of the Rhode Island Criminal Defense Manual (7th Edition), a top-rated manual used throughout the state by criminal defense attorneys.

31 years | 5,000 cases

30%
Immigration 25%

POST CONVICTION RELIEF AND IMMIGRATION: 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. For a review of prior immigration and post-conviction

31 years | 1,500 cases

25%
DUI and DWI 15%

31 years

15%
Domestic Violence 15%

31 years

15%
Sex Crime 15%

31 years

15%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2024 2023
...
+ 9

Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 23 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 2002

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Rhode Island for 30 years

State: Rhode Island

Acquired: 1995

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of John E. Macdonald, Inc.

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

aggressivelegalservices.com/

John E MacDonald's Reviews

Showing 21 - 25 of 30 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | September 28, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Wonderful and Excellent!

John MacDonald is an excellent attorney. He worked with my previous attorney and went above and beyond. I don't believe my case was an easy one to win because there was no case history among other factors. He is a very competent, intelligent, effective lawyer with many years of experience. He did... what was necessary to get the job done. Also, he always made time for me and kept me posted each step of the way which was important to me. I would highly recommend him!

Posted by Ivan | September 22, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Attorney Review - Immigration

John MacDonald proved to be an excellent attorney, very knowledgeable of the RI court system and the complicated immigration naturalization process. He possesses excellent communication skills and is always very attentive to details. He worked with my original attorney to resolve my legal case suc...h that I was able to avoid further problems with the federal immigration authorities. With help and guidance from Attorney MacDonald, including the expungement of my court records, I was ultimately able to apply for and be granted US citizenship. I would highly recommend this law firm for any criminal and/or immigration matter.

Posted by Phirom | September 12, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Citizenship

I had a bad criminal record from when I was young and felonies into my adult life I needed representation from a lawyer and a lot of the other attorneys I consulted with weren't really skilled at it.so I consulted with John Mcdonald and he knew exactly what to do and knew what he was talking about.im... now a citizen thanks to his help and his staff I never thought I would ever be a citizen but he made it happen I highly recommend John Mcdonald and I'd refer anyone that is in the same position.

Posted by anonymous | May 02, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Great lawyer

John knew what he is doing and always updated me about what is going on with my case. I was facing 37-48 month prison time which I was able to avoid it by following John's advice.

Posted by Jasna | March 05, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Expungement

Exelent service

I was very impressed with my total experience with Mr.John MacDonald. He was very professional and knowledgeable with getting positive results. As very important fact, he is honest and he cares about his clients. I feel confident and now I can continue with my life as if nothing had ever happened. Mr... MacDonald filed for post conviction relief and in the end my case has been Expunged. Thank you very much Mr MacDonald.

See All Client Reviews

John E MacDonald's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John
Brett Vincent Beaubien headshot
Brett Beaubien

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Ali Ebrahimzadeh headshot
Ali Ebrahimzadeh

Unknown lawyer | Jan 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Monique Kornfeld headshot
Monique Kornfeld

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John is an expert in criminal defense and post conviction relief in MA and RI. He serves hiss clients with integrity, intelligence and dedication. I unequivocally recommend him for criminal defense cases."

Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington headshot
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Kara Hoopis Manosh headshot
Kara Hoopis Manosh

Criminal defense lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John is the expert- he is a mentor to new lawyers and a consummate professional. You are in good hands with this attorney."

Frank L Orabona Jr. headshot
Frank Orabona

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 24

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse Attorney MacDonald. I have tried several cases with Attorney John MacDonald. John is an excellent attorney with a command of the law second to none. He works tirelessly to achieve the best possible results for his clients. Moreover, he is always willing to lend his expertise and assist fellow attorneys."

Joseph Torri headshot
Joseph Torri

Unknown lawyer | Sep 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Anthony Richard Tuorto headshot
Anthony Tuorto

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 03

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Richard Todd Rosenstein headshot
Richard Rosenstein

Unknown lawyer | Jun 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. MacDonald is a skilled and respected member of the legal community. He is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of his clients."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

John Pensa headshot
John Pensa

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John is one of the most experienced criminal defense attorneys in Rhode Island and arguably the best attorney on the market. He has paved the road for success and has excelled in ways that most attorneys can only imagine. I endorse John MacDonald."

Neville Joseph Bedford headshot
Neville Bedford

Immigration lawyer | Oct 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Reliable attorney"

Lawrence J. Signore headshot
Lawrence Signore

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. John cares about his clients and getting them the results they deserve. You would be well served to consult with Mr. MacDonald."

View All Endorsements
John P Larochelle headshot
John Larochelle

Divorce and separation lawyer

Monique Kornfeld headshot
Monique Kornfeld

Immigration lawyer

Evelina Ruszkowski headshot
Evelina Ruszkowski

Car accident lawyer

Frank L Orabona Jr. headshot
Frank Orabona

Personal injury lawyer

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer

John Pensa headshot
John Pensa

Criminal defense lawyer

Elisha L Morris headshot
Elisha Morris

Divorce and separation lawyer

Jonathan Whaley headshot
Jonathan Whaley

Criminal defense lawyer

Lawrence J. Signore headshot
Lawrence Signore

Workers compensation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2017

Top Criminal Attorneys in Rhode Island, Best Lawyers in America

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2013

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2009

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2008

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2001 - Present

Owner, The Law Offices of John E. MacDonald

1995 - 2001

Public Defender, Rhode Island Public Defenders Office

Associations

1995 - Present

Rhode Island Bar Association

Member

1995 - Present

Massachusetts Bar Association

Member

Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense

Member

U.S. District Court, Rhode Island

Member

U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Not Guilty After Trial

Not guilty after trial

Plea Vacated - Client Released from Immigration Custody

Convictions vacated and client released from ICE custody.

Gambling Forfeiture

Client recovered $300,000

See More Legal Cases

Education

1995

Suffolk University Law School

JD with High Honors

1990

University of Rhode Island

BA - magna cum laude

Speaking Engagements

2017

RI CLE

Ethical Dilemmas facing RI Criminal Attorneys

2013

Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Recent Developments in Criminal Law

2012

RI Superior Court Justices

Impact of Criminal Convictions in Immigration Court

2011

Immigration Law and RI Crimes

Immigration Law

2010

Rhode Island Bar Association’s mandatory Continuing Legal Education 2010

Ethics in Criminal Defense

2010

Appearance at Rhode Island Department of the Public Defender

Padilla v. Kentucky

Publications

2014

RI Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Rhode Island Criminal Defense, A Practice Manual, 6th Edition

Languages

English

Activity

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution