Caroline G Donato

Caroline G Donato

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 11 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at West Chester, PA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, White Collar Crime

17 West Miner Street, West Chester, PA

About Caroline

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in New Jersey for 11 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 2014

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 11 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 2014

Active

No misconduct found

Location

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. - West Chester

17 West Miner Street, West Chester, PA, 19382

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Caroline G Donato's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

22 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (22) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | DUI & DWI

Posted by Glenn | September 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

An Attorney who actually cares

Caroline and her team represented me for a DUI I was charged with back in 2021 where the state trooper lied about everything from why he charged me with a DUI, because I was not intoxicated, to the reason why he even pulled me over to begin with which was unlawful. Caroline, Mary, Donna, and everyone... who was on my case actually listened to me, believed me that I was telling the truth and proved it with video and by catching the trooper on the stand lying. This past over three years have been probably the toughest of my life, because of this stopping me from moving to Phoenix, and the care and compassion that Caroline showed toward me and what was right is incomparable and priceless to what I've seen from any other attorney that I've worked with. She didn't sugarcoat or bs anything and that was very much appreciated as well. Caroline and her whole team are amazing and I definitely recommend her if you want things done right.

Posted by Terri | October 04, 2021 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

SUPERB

I have used Caroline on both my DUI charges and both times she has achieved the best possible outcome for me. Her hard work, knowledge and presentations are beyond compare. She was always there for me, guiding me and putting my mind at ease. I would not have been able to come as far as I have without... her by my side. if anyone, anywhere, anytime needs a lawyer I will never hesitate to give them her number. Thank you Caroline again

Posted by anonymous | September 17, 2019 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

I wish all Lawyers could be like Caroline

I was in a pickle for sure! I was fighting my 2nd DUI with in 10 years. So i was definietly out of luck for trying something and basically just taking the punishment of what the system could give me. At the start we were just trying to keep the damage to a minimum. I had come to the acceptance... of what i was supposed to receive. However, unlike other Lawyers, Caroline looked into what it looked like 2 or 3 more times at my case where it should have been just a quick dollar she could make on a simple case. She was able to find something that took me from the highest level to the lowest. She not only saved me 10 days in jail, 75 days house arrest and 60 hours of community service but also saved me what could have been thousands of dollars i would have had to pay to the courts. If you are looking at this to see if you should hire Caroline.......dont hesitate and do it. She is worth every penny! Her communication is awesome!! (Shout out to her asst. Donna!) She sends every letter in a PDF for you to have a copy of and with every single thing she does she will let you know what is going on the entire time. Its amazing and i literally can't thank her enough for how much she saved me but also what effort she put into my (simple) case. Thanks Caroline!!!!!

See All Client Reviews

Caroline G Donato's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Caroline
Steve Edward Jarmon Jr. headshot
Steve Jarmon

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Tiffany Griffin headshot
Tiffany Griffin

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 17

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer."

Timothy F. Rayne headshot
Timothy Rayne

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Co-worker

"I work with Caroline and highly endorse her as a superb Criminal Defense Attorney. Caroline has exellent knowledge of Pennsylvania criminal law and is a passionate advocate for her clients."

Michael Domenick DiCindio headshot
Michael DiCindio

Unknown lawyer | Mar 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Caroline is a compassionate and caring advocate who puts her whole self into the cases she handles. She works hard to secure the best possible result for each person she represents - and because of her work ethic and ability, I would highly recommend Caroline."

Andrew Ross Silverman headshot
Andrew Silverman

White collar crime lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse Caroline because she is a diligent and zealous advocate for her clients."

Peter E. Kratsa headshot
Peter Kratsa

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 23

Relationship: Co-worker

"Caroline is a talented, thorough and thoughtful attorney. I wholeheartedly endorse her."

Ashly Ryan McGarity headshot
Ashly McGarity

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Julie Marie Potts headshot
Julie Potts

Family lawyer

Brooke Reed Ginty headshot
Brooke Ginty

Family lawyer

Brian J. Forgue headshot
Brian Forgue

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2019

Rising Star Honoree, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers

2019

Top Lawyer, Main Line Today Magazine

2019

Rising Star of the Year, Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry

2018

Rising Star Honoree, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers

2018

Top Lawyer, Main Line Today Magazine

2017

Top Lawyer, Main Line Today Magazine

2016

Top Lawyer, Main Line Today Magazine

2015

Top Lawyer, Main Line Today Magazine

2014

James J. Manderino Award for Trial Advocacy, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Attorney, MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

2013 - 2013

Summer Law Clerk, Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Delaware

2013 - 2014

Law Clerk, The Law Offices of John P. Deckers, P.A.,

2013 - 2013

Certified Legal Intern, Chester County District Attorney’s Office

2012 - 2012

News Department Intern, CBS Philadelphia

2011 - 2011

Law Clerk, Vaira & Riley, PC

2011 - 2012

Law Clerk, Law Offices of Michael J. Engle

2010 - 2011

Law Clerk, The Law Office of Caroline M. Roberto

2009 - 2009

Public Policy Intern, University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics

2006 - 2011

Law Clerk, Law Offices of Arthur T. Donato Jr.

Associations

2018 - Present

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL), Eastern District

New Lawyers Committee Chair

2016 - Present

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

New Lawyers Committee Member

2015 - Present

Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce

Member

2014 - Present

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

2014 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2014 - Present

Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry

Women Influencing Business Committee

2014 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2014 - Present

Chester County Bar Association

Member

2011 - Present

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Possession with Intent to Distribute (criminal narcotics charge) PWID

Dismissal of Felony PWID charges

Rape Trial

Acquittal

Administrative Appeals

Favorable decision

Driving Under Suspension / DUI Related

Acquittal and negotiated results

Civil and Administrative Document Production

No enforcement action

PFA and Related Indirect Criminal Contempt

Successful withdrawals and successful negotiated results

Drug and Paraphernalia

Evidence suppressed

Theft

Dismissal

DUI

Great plea resolutions

Sex Crime

Successful negotiated resolutions

Traffic

Positive plea negotiations

See More Legal Cases

Education

2014

Widener University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2011

University of Pittsburgh

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2018

CCCBI Women Influencing Business Committee Networking Event Facilitator: TedX Talk “10 ways to have a better conversation” by Celeste Headlee

2017

Criminal Justice Class

Criminal Law Practice in Pennsylvania

2017

CCCBI WIB Legal Series

Freedom of Speech in the Workplace

Publications

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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