McDonald runs for Gogebic County Circuit Court judge seat

IRONWOOD — Ironwood attorney Mark E. McDonald has filed candidacy papers for 32nd Gogebic County Circuit Court judge.

McDonald announced on Tuesday that he is seeking the judgeship formerly held by the Roy Gotham.

McDonald has been in private practice and is a shareholder in the law firm of Jacobs, McDonald & Silc, P.C.. He is licensed to practice in Michigan and Wisconsin, and also was admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, and the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Tribal Court.

He said his practice concentrates in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, divorce and family law, probate and estate planning, real estate, banking, corporate, business, municipal and general civil litigation. McDonald has more than 30 years of experience, representing individuals and businesses throughout the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin.

He has taught law-related classes at Northern Michigan University and Gogebic Community College, including business law, risk management and criminal law.

McDonald formerly served as an assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Delta County, and as attorney for the city of Ironwood, Stannard Township and Bergland Township.

He currently serves as attorney for the Charter Township of Ironwood and Erwin Township.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, State Bar of Michigan, State Bar of Wisconsin, and Gogebic-Ontonagon County Bar Association (past president.).

In 1975, he graduated from Luther L. Wright High School, then received his Associate of Arts Degree from GCC, Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University and Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. While attending law school, McDonald worked as a research assistant for the late State Sen. Joseph S. Mack.

He has been active in the community, as a past member of Ironwood Jaycees, Ironwood Economic Development Corporation, past director of the Gogebic Conservation District and current chair of the Gogebic Resource Advisory Committee of the Ottawa National Forest.

McDonald has been a supporter of area youth programs, including 4-H, booster clubs, Snowflake Aquatics, Polar Bear Hockey, Penokee Range Little League, Special Olympics and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

He is a former girls softball coach (high school), Polar Bear Youth Hockey coach (Mites, Pee Wee, Bantam) and hockey referee.

McDonald resides on his farm in Ironwood Township, enjoys the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and spending time at his cottage on Lake Gogebic.

He is the son of the late David E. and Florence McDonald.