Robert J. MacDonald

[email protected]

Born: Flint, Michigan,1968

Education: University of Notre Dame, B.A., 1990, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1996.

Practice Areas: Worker’s Compensation; Personal Injury; Social Security Disability; Employment; Disability Benefits; Disability Discrimination; Motor Vehicle  Accidents and Injuries; Wrongful Death; Negligence; Premises Liability

Leadership & Recognition:

President, Michigan Association for Justice, 2019-2020.

Chair, Michigan Association for Justice, Workers’ Comp Committee, 2012-2018.

Michigan Association for Justice Executive Board & Workers’ Comp Committee, 2009-present.

Ten Leaders in Michigan Injury Law, Age 45 and Under (tenleaders.com), 2011-2014.

Selected for Inclusion in Michigan Super Lawyers, 2013-present.

Recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Workers’ Compensation & Social Security Disability, 2014-present. (leadinglawyers.com)

Selected as a “Go To Lawyer,” Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2023

Board of Directors, Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group

Director’s Advisory Committee on Reforming Workers’ Compensation Administrative Rules, 2021.

Current Chair, Social Security Committee, Genesee County Bar Association

Robert J. MacDonald’s legal abilities have been rated High to Very High by his professional colleagues. Learn more about this rating

Publications & Presentations:

Edward M. Welch, Jr., Daryl C. Royal and Robert J. MacDonald, Workers’ Compensation in Michigan: Law and Practice, 6th edition, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2020-present.

To view or purchase, click here.

“Workers’ Compensation Cases” in Michigan Basic Practice Handbook, 6th ed. Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2006-present.

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“Workers Comp: A Few Facts Worth Knowing for the Non-Practitioner” BarBeat, (Genesee County Bar Association, July/August 2007); “General Motors’ Improper Coordination of Workers’ Compensation Benefits,” Michigan Association for Justice, 2010, “Workers’ Compensation: State of the Law and How to Preserve Issues”, Michigan Association for Justice, 2011, “HB 5002, as Amended by the Senate” Michigan Association for Justice, 2012; “Disability Law & Practice” BarBeat (Genesee County Bar Association, March 2013); “Identifying the Workers’ Comp Cases in Your Office” (MAJ Seminar, May, 2013); Panelist: “Defining Disability & Calculating Benefits: Law & History vs. Current Practice & 2011 Amendments” (MAJ Seminar, January 2014); “Phantom Wage Argument Put to Rest” (MAJ Journal, 2014); “Maximizing Recovery for Injured Workers: Tort Liability & Workers’ Compensation” (MAJ Seminar, 2016);  “Workers’ Compensation Update” (MAJ Convention, 2017); “Restore the Safety Net for Michigan Injured Workers,” in Workers’ First Watch (WILG, Winter 2017); Calculating Michigan Workers’ Compensation Benefits (MAJ Seminar, 2018); Michigan Workers’ Comp: Writing New Rules to Repair the Safety Net (MAJ Seminar, 2020); Winning a Comp Case: Rules and Procedures You Need to Know (MAJ Seminar, 2020); Proposed New Workers’ Comp Rules (MAJ Seminar, 2021); Moderator, “Taming the Vultures: Liens & Helping Clients Maximize Their Recoveries” (MAJ Convention June 2023); Panelist, “Settlement & Resolving Workers’ Comp Liens” (MAJ Convention, 2023); Panelist, “Settlement: Medicare Set Aside Requirements & Recommendations.” (MAJ Convention, 2023)
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Membership: Genesee County Bar Association; State Bar of Michigan (Member, Sections on: Worker’s Compensation, Negligence, Labor and Employment Law); Michigan Association for Justice; National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives; American Association for Justice; Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group; Pound Civil Justice Institute.

Admissions: 1996, Michigan; 1997, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 2011, U. S. District Court, Western District of Michigan; 1999, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.

Classes/Seminars Taught:

Workers’ Compensation Classes, UAW Locals in Region 1C; Workers’ Compensation Law, Lorman Education Services; Michigan Association for Justice.

Past Experience:

Genesee County Circuit Court, 1996, Law Clerk Professor John Brennan, 1995-1996, Law Clerk

Pro Bono Activities:

Treasurer, Flint Public Library, 2004-2010 President, Flint Public Library, 2010-2011.

Board of Governors, Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility, 2021-present.

Board of Directors, East Village Magazine, 2022-present.