Atty. John E. Macdonald

Atty. John E. Macdonald

John E. MacDonald is a trial attorney with 25+ years experience practicing Criminal Defense, Family Law, Immigration Law and Post-Conviction Relief in Providence, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Providence Providence 31 yrs experience 31 year
Call (401) 735-2693 Email Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About John E. Macdonald at a glance

John E. Macdonald is a Member based in Providence, Rhode Island, practicing at Law Office of John E. MacDonald, Inc.. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on dui/dwi, divorce, car accidents, drug crimes, and child custody. Admitted to practice in Rhode Island (1995) and Massachusetts (2002). Educated at Suffolk University (J.D., 1995) and University of Rhode Island (B.A., 1990). Recognitions include Peer Reviewed. Active member of Rhode Island Bar Association Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers National Association of American Immigration Lawyers. Serands clients in Providence, RI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • John E. MacDonald is a trial attorney with 25+ years experience practicing Criminal Defense, Family Law, Immigration Law and Post-Conviction Relief in Providence, Rhode Island and Massachusetts
  • Mr. MacDonald represents clients in state and federal court in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
  • He has aggressively and successfully defended clients charged in every type of criminal case, including capital murder, child molestation, sexual assault, felony assault, domestic assault, patient abuse, bank fraud, mail fraud and wire fraud
  • He is the former president of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Mr. MacDonald is the author of Rhode Island Criminal Defense, A Practice Manual (9th Edition), a top rated trial manual used by criminal defense attorneys throughout Rhode Island
  • Mr. MacDonald represents clients seeking permanent residence and naturalization
  • He practices before the Providence Immigration Office and the Boston Immigration Court
  • For many clients facing deportation, the only recourse is post-conviction relief
  • that is, vacating the original conviction in state or federal court
  • Mr. MacDonald has successfully vacated convictions in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
  • Mr. MacDonald is an honors graduate of Suffolk University Law School (1995) and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Rhode Island (1990)
  • He is admitted to practice in all state courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
  • He is also admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the First Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for the Districts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts
  • Mr. MacDonald is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) and past president of the Rhode Island Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (RIACDL)

Practice Areas Explained

John E. Macdonald's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases John E. Macdonald handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

DUI / DWI Defense

Find experienced DUI and DWI defense attorneys near you. Compare verified profiles, read client reviews, and consult about your case for free.

John E. Macdonald is one of 29,976 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in Rhode Island →

Divorce

A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.

John E. Macdonald is one of 50,487 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Rhode Island →

Car Accidents

Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.

John E. Macdonald is one of 36,807 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in Rhode Island →

Drug Crimes

John E. Macdonald is one of 6,966 drug crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse drug crimes attorneys in Rhode Island →

Child Custody & Visitation

John E. Macdonald is one of 31,241 child custody attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child custody attorneys in Rhode Island →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Rhode Island

Practicing law in Rhode Island. Legal matters in Rhode Island are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Providence are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Rhode Island state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Rhode Island brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Rhode Island courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Rhode Island attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Providence or all attorneys in Rhode Island.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about John E. Macdonald

Where is John E. Macdonald's law office located?
John E. Macdonald's law practice is located in Providence, Rhode Island. The firm is Law Office of John E. MacDonald, Inc.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does John E. Macdonald handle?
John E. Macdonald focuses on dui/dwi, divorce, car accidents, drug crimes, child custody. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Rhode Island.
How long has John E. Macdonald practiced law?
John E. Macdonald has 31+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1995.
Where did John E. Macdonald go to law school?
John E. Macdonald earned their education at (J.D., 1995); (B.A., 1990).
How can I contact John E. Macdonald for a consultation?
You can contact John E. Macdonald directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has John E. Macdonald received?
John E. Macdonald's notable recognition includes: Peer Reviewed.

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense Deportation Post Conviction Remedies Alimony Annulment Art Fraud Assault And Battery Asylum Automobile Fraud Bribery Burglary Capital Offenses Child Abduction Child Abuse and Neglect Child Custody Child Custody Mediation Child Dependency Child Protection Child Sexual Abuse Child Support Citizenship Civil Drug Forfeiture Civil Forfeiture Civil Fraud Civil Litigation Civil RICO Cohabitation Agreements Collaborative Family Law Commercial Crimes Commercial Fraud Community Property Law Complex Litigation Computer Crime Computer Fraud Controlled Substances Law Crime Victims Compensation Criminal Appeals Criminal Conspiracy Criminal Fraud Defense Litigation Dependent Adult Abuse Diplomatic Immunity Divorce Divorce Arbitration Domestic Violence Drivers License Suspension Driving While Intoxicated Drug Crimes Drug Forfeiture Drug Trafficking Drugs And Narcotics DUI/DWI Embezzlement Employment Authorizations Employment Immigration Employment Visas Equitable Distribution Expungements Extortion Family Immigration Law Family Law Fathers Rights Federal Criminal Law Felonies Forgery Fraud And Deceit Grandparents Custody Grandparents Visitation Rights Hit And Run Homicide Identity Theft Immigration And Naturalization Immigration Discrimination Immigration Law Interstate Child Custody Investor Visas Juvenile Criminal Law Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile Dependency Juvenile Law Labor Certifications Litigation Mail Fraud Malicious Prosecution Manslaughter Marital Agreements Marital Property Distribution Marital Property Law Marital Property Settlements Matrimonial Law Misdemeanors Money Laundering Murder Negligence Negligence Defense Non Traditional Family Law Palimony Parental Kidnapping Parental Rights Parole and Probation Paternity Permanent Visas Personal Injury Political Asylum Post Divorce Modification Postnuptial Agreements Premarital Agreements Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) Refugee Law Religious Visas Removal Proceedings Restraining Orders RICO Search And Seizure Separation Agreements Sex Crimes Sexual Assault Shoplifting Spousal Support Stalking Termination Of Parental Rights Theft Traffic Violations Trial Practice Uncontested Divorce Vehicular Homicide Victims Rights Visas Weapons Charges White Collar Crime White Collar Criminal Defense White Collar Fraud, Wire Fraud Wiretapping

Education

J.D.
Suffolk University
- 1995
B.A.
University of Rhode Island
- 1990

Awards

Peer Reviewed

Bar Admissions

Rhode Island
Admitted: 1995
Massachusetts
Admitted: 2002

Reviews

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