We apply many years of legal experience in the business world to assist clients in developing agreements, businesses, or plans, whether sales, acquisitions, reorganizations, or initial formation. We draw upon substantial experience to resolve disputed commercial matters, whether through litigation in state or federal courts, or through alternative dispute resolution by mediation or arbitration. Our services cover the full range in the civil practice of law. We exclude criminal and domestic practice from our representation.
We have served many clients over the years and have learned that listening to the client carefully is the most critical first step, to be followed by an evaluation of the circumstances to accomplish the client’s goals. We are collaborative with our clients, as appropriate, in the development and pursuit of their goals and needs.
Our practice has been balanced over the last 40 years as we provide counsel to individuals and business ventures while also undertaking litigation matters in various forums and industries. The blend of business representation and litigation experience provides a unique perspective not commonly available in today’s hyper-specialized legal environment and culture. We see the lawyer’s role as bringing legal skills and business advice to the client, which permits the client to make the most appropriate determinations.
Mr. McDonald has been successfully engaged in the practice of law in Tulsa for over 40 years and has been recognized for his outstanding talents. Mr. McDonald was first recognized among the Best Lawyers in America shortly after the leading publication was founded in 1987, and has been recognized in every edition since then. In addition, Mr. McDonald is recognized by Super Lawyers of America, and has obtained and maintained an “AV” designation by the Martindale legal publication, going back to the 1980’s. That designation is provided to lawyers who meet the highest standards in ability and ethics, as selected by peer review.
Through his career, Mr. McDonald has served and serves in General Counsel roles, assisting businesses in dealing with everyday issues as well as strategic planning. This ranges from contract negotiation and drafting, to negotiation in obtaining financial arrangements and acquisitions, to coordinating real estate matters for manufacturing, retail, energy and other businesses.
Mr. McDonald is recognized for his subspecialty of dealing with distressed financial situations, whether from the creditor side, a creditor committee viewpoint, or from the debtor’s perspective. Mr. McDonald has been involved in hundreds of in-court and out-of-court resolutions of distressed business enterprise situations. Mr. McDonald is recognized by Best Lawyers as among the nation’s best in business reorganization and banking litigation. He has represented investors, debtors-in-possession, Chapter 11 Trustees, and Official Unsecured Creditors Committees, as well as substantial secured creditors in major cases. He has successfully confirmed bankruptcy plans of reorganization in many industries, including Tier 1 automotive manufacturing, grocery, wholesale food distribution, petroleum production, petroleum transportation, petroleum engineering, royalty owners’ claims, natural gas gathering systems, retail, financial services, commercial real estate and real estate development, steel mill production, and medical technology. Mr. McDonald has also been involved in conducting substantial sales of assets across a broad scope of industries, pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.
Mr. McDonald was actively involved in the recent SemCrude bankruptcy case in the United States Bankruptcy Court of Delaware in connection with lead representation of oil producers’ interests for four states (Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and New Mexico). In addition, Mr. McDonald has recently been involved in representing royalty interest owners’ claims to underpayment of revenue for production.
Mr. McDonald has always been active in community affairs and professional associations, having served as a board member and officer of several civic and professional organizations, including the Tulsa Catholic Diocesan Finance Council, the Margaret Hudson Program, and the Tulsa Thunder Soccer Club (a 501(c)(3) organization). He is currently a member of the City of Tulsa Civil Service Commission.
We take to heart the advice of one of our great mentors – “What clients want is responsive and effective advice, fairly priced, and timely produced.” All of our attorneys appreciate the opportunity to serve and we are committed to providing the best counsel available.
