Alishia Woodard McDonald

Alishia Woodard McDonald

also known as A. McDonald Law Office

4.5
Rating: 7.2

Licensed for 26 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Gainesville, FL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family, Personal Injury ... +2 more

309 NE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL

About Alishia

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

A. McDonald Law Office handles all areas of state criminal defense, including (although not limited to): white collar crime, all types of criminal fraud, aggravated assault and battery, sexual assault and battery, 10-20-Life crimes, Habitual Felony Offender / Habitual Violent Felony Offender offenses, Driving While License Suspended - felony, felony murder, theft crimes, robbery, internet sex crimes, trafficking, narcotics violations, probation violations, and misdemeanors.

40%
Family 30%

A. McDonald Law Office handles all aspects of dissolution of marriage, modification, and family law proceedings, including: alimony, child support, time sharing and parenting, custody by extended family and relatives, equitable distribution, prenuptial and martial settlement and separation agreements, paternity establishment and disestablishment, domestic violence injunction, and contempt and enforcement actions.

30%
Personal Injury 20%

While insurance companies are obligated to pay for medical costs and damages for covered accidents, they will try to pay as little as possible. Attorney McDonald will help you get what is deserved.

20%
Foreclosure 5%

A. McDonald Law Office provides aggressive legal representation against mortgage foreclosure that any homeowner facing mortgage foreclosure can afford. As a former contested litigation supervision attorney for the banking and mortgage foreclosure industry, Attorney Alishia W. McDonald knows first hand the pitfalls and mistakes often made by homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure.

5%
Probate 5%

A. McDonald Law Office provides legal representation for both formal and summary administration probate matters in the state of Florida.

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 26 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2000

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

A. McDonald Law Office

309 NE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL, 32601

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Alishia Woodard McDonald's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.5 /5.0

40 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (40) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Trustworthiness

Posted by Lucy | November 29, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Find someone else!

If I could give 0 stars I would but here we go for starters alishia will fast talk you in lnto thinking she knows the law and will do her best to defend you. She will over talk you to try and make you think she is right she only talked to my boyfriend for about 5 minutes total in the 10 months he was... in jail. I hired alishia 2 weeks into him being locked up so she had plenty of time to learn his case when I would ask questions she would copy and paste long internet post that if I understood I could google myself. She never answered my questions or she would give a dry answer and never showed any concern. she interviewed the “victim” that told 3 different stories and she never called them on any of the lies. In the interview she never showed any concern for her client she flat out told my boyfriend that if he went to trial he would lose. She never offered any defense never asked his side of the story never looked into getting any camera footage which was definitely there. He was told there was no camera footage in a grocery store none at the traffic lights none at the atm none in a McDonald’s just no footage from the entire town. We live in a very small town anything that is done spreads anything that is said spreads these people are walking around town laughing at how we hired the worst attorney in the world have flat out admitted they lied and said she wouldn’t figure it out cause she’s that bad don’t waste your money maybe this review will help her to do better but at this time she is not the way to go.

Alishia McDonald

Replied last June 19, 2024

Your assertions are untrue, but I will respond based on facts rather than emotion. Many times, it is very hard to get clients and their families to understand how a criminal case is handled. I am very sad to see this review concerning your boyfriend's case as it reveals a lack of knowledge about the law as advised. It also shows an inability to separate fact from fantasy. In any criminal case the defendant will ultimately be required to make one of three choices. They will have to choose trial, or to enter a plea pursuant a plea offer or plea open to the court for discretionary sentencing pursuant to their criminal punishment code scoresheet. He made his choice based on the evidence, and his lack of viable defenses. Your boyfriend, and all my clients, received straightforward and honest advice in person and in writing about their case to allow for them to make an informed decision. I wish my client and you the best going forward.

Posted by Erica smith | August 23, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Not a good choice. save yourself the pain.

Was not willing to fight.. she seems like she was working for the other side mote than me long story short I left my divorce with nothing' but thank God I've been blessed to bounce back ..just wanted to warn anybody before going down this road... Don't do it don't say I didn't tell you.. God bless ...

Alishia McDonald

Replied last August 23, 2022

I have never represented a person named Erica Smith. But just in general, divorces are financially and mentally difficult on all the parties. It is sometimes hard for clients to manage both expectations with reality. I am sorry you had an unpleasant experience with whomever represented your interests. Glad to hear you bounced back. God is good.

Posted by anonymous | April 09, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Mrs. Alishia McDonald is Awesome!

She is just amazing! amazing! amazing! Mrs. McDonald is an incredible attorney period!!!!!! In my search for an attorney, it was very difficult. I hired an attorney paid monies and they quit on me in less than 4 months. I was determined to be represented well in a contested divorce, so I set out... to find the best. I paid endless consultation fees and still felt like no one was interested in my case and I was not about to lose more money. I had several consultations; from free to paid. I met Mrs. McDonald who immediately provided a road map. While the path to success was clear for the divorce, here comes a criminal matter. Mrs. McDonald then became my criminal attorney. I called her and she did not hesitate to represent me. She worked diligently with my family and I. Once again, she brought clarity and presented strong arguments which led to the case being dismissed. More so, while the divorce case was still in motion along with the criminal case, here comes another matter, well yes…sigh…. She now became my attorney representing me in 3 separate cases. Once again, she laid a clear path and advise accordingly. Guest what? Case closed! Victory a second time. Now here I am with my champion at my side in the divorce case. Guess what? Victory again! I got everything I wanted and more. I said all this not just to showcase the number of cases she represented me in but rather triumph. Mrs. McDonald has many skills and strategy that were deployed to make these battles a success. She listens attentively, not just listening to me but in the courtroom. She is caring, supportive, extremely considerate, and very, very, transparent I can’t stress this enough. She is forthright and honest, and I believe this is one of the most admirable qualities I love about her as I value honesty above all. These are just a few noteworthy qualities I found her to have. In addition, she is focused and because of it she can speak against any fabricated story. Mrs. Alishia McDonald, stood with me like a mother would for a daughter. My mom and sister expressed sincere gratitude for all she has done to support me. One of my biggest fears was finding an attorney who will appreciate and understand my cultural values. I felt safe (to open and discuss matters), understood and respected by her. It is without hesitation that I will highly recommend attorney Mrs. McDonald as I’m pleased to be represented by her in all three cases. No matter the battlefield she is competent, honest, sharp and by extension she is my champion! Thank you, attorney Alishia McDonald, for holding my hand when there was no one to hold my hand. I will NEVER forget you. I thank almighty God for leading me too you.

Posted by anonymous | August 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Experienced Attorney

I’ve never seen a lawyer more experienced and knowledgeable to fight on behalf of her clients. She goes above and beyond for those she represents. I would only put my case and life in her hands when I need someone to be my advocate in court. She’s truly the best!

Posted by anonymous | August 16, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Divorce Case

This thing called a lawyer Who I hired in Gainesville Florida was supposed to be my public defendant lawyer during my divorce case and custody battle case. She did absolutely nothing to help me, She was super unprofessional she lost my paperwork and went to the judge behind my back to tell him that I... was not doing my part when I always kept contact with her. She had a lot of attitude and never took interest in meeting me in person. Her only interests were only her own. If you see this woman’s name run and please do not waste your money hiring her and her independent private practice in Orlando.

Alishia McDonald

Replied last June 19, 2024

I am sorry to see this review as it is completely fabricated. No judge or attorney is allowed to engage in ex parte communication concerning an active case. As an officer of the court, I am obligated to always tell the truth to any tribunal. If I actually represented you, I am sorry you had such an unpleasant experience.

See All Client Reviews

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Experience

Rating:  7.2 (Very Good)

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Attorney / Owner, A. McDonald Law Office

2013 - 2015

Litigation Supervising Attorney, Elizabeth Wellborn, P.A.

2006 - 2013

Attorney / Owner, The Law Office of Alishia W. McDonald

2002 - 2006

Felony Prosecutor, Office of the State Attorney

1998 - 2002

Associate Attorney, Northwest Florida Legal Services, Inc.

Associations

2015 - Present

League of Women Voters

2006 - Present

Association of Trial Lawyers of America

2004 - Present

Florida Association for Women Lawyers

2004 - Present

National Bar Association

2000 - Present

Florida Bar, Criminal Law Section

Education

1998

University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law

Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor

1995

Franklin Pierce University

Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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