Michael R McDonald

Practice Areas

Mr. McDonald leads the firm’s Consumer Class Action Defense Team, which the New Jersey Law Journal named the “Class Action Litigation Department of the Year” for 2017. He represents businesses in a broad range of unfair business practice/consumer class actions and complex commercial disputes spanning various industries, including class action claims asserted under RICO, ERISA, Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act , Telephone Consumer Protection Act, New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, New Jersey Truth in Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act, New York General Business Law, as well as under other states’ consumer protection and warranty laws. He has been recognized for his work in connection with consumer protection and advertising laws, and he uses his experience to achieve cost-effective, efficient results for his clients through the early and strategic use of motions to dispose of cases or by positioning them for favorable settlements. He is also a strong appellate advocate having argued numerous appeals in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, New Jersey Appellate Division and New Jersey Supreme Court.

Focus Areas

Class Action Litigation

—Defense of pharmaceutical company in putative nationwide class action alleging unlawful pricing of prescription medication

—Defense of automobile manufacturers in class actions arising out of alleged product defects or failure to honor warranties

—Defense of worldwide leader in sports equipment in putative nationwide class action alleging false advertising

—Defense of manufacturers and suppliers of dietary supplements, food products in class actions alleging false and misleading labeling

—Defense of manufacturers of medical devices in putative nationwide class action arising out of alleged product defects

—Defense of North American leader in genuine exterior wood siding in putative nationwide class action alleging defects and false advertising in eastern white cedar shingles

—Defense of towing company in class action alleging violations of the Predatory Towing Prevention Act

—Counseling to various entities in website compliance

—Counseling to various entities in compliance with TCPA

—Defense of class actions under TCPA in cases involving pre-recorded calls, faxes, text messages, alleged “autodialers,” and national “Do Not Call” list

—Defense of rent-to-own companies in defense of contracts and compliance with applicable retail installment sales laws

—Defense of manufacturers of consumer products (televisions, printers, cameras, consumer electronics, and cosmetics, among others) in class actions alleging violations of consumer protection statutes, privacy, and Wiretap Act claims

—Defense of manufacturers in environmental class actions

—Defense of businesses in False Claims Act litigation

Honors & Awards

In addition to Chambers USA, Mr. McDonald has repeatedly been selected for inclusion by Best Lawyers® and New Jersey Super Lawyers.