Patrick McDonnell

Patrick C. McDonnell is an experienced litigator at Michaelson Law, specializing in general civil and commercial litigation in Nevada’s state and federal courts. He has successfully represented clients in a wide range of disputes and has the distinction of taking a case to federal trial. Before pursuing his legal career, Patrick was an award-winning investigative newspaper reporter and editor, a background that honed his analytical and communication skills. He graduated cum laude from the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, earning a place on the Dean’s Honor List and serving as the lead articles editor for the Nevada Law Journal. Patrick was recognized with the Carl W. Tobias Award for Excellence in Writing and received CALI awards for achieving the highest grades in Pretrial Litigation, Criminal Procedure-Adjudication, and Settling Legal Disputes. While in law school, Patrick gained valuable hands-on experience as a mediator and as a full-time extern for Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Kenneth C. Cory, where he effectively served as an assistant law clerk. He also clerked for a local personal injury firm, a national trial firm, and a general civil practice firm, preparing him for his current role as a litigator. Patrick’s dedication to his clients and his legal expertise have earned him significant recognition, including being named Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, Legal Elite, and Super Lawyers Mountain States Rising Star. When he’s not in the courtroom, Patrick enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He is passionate about the outdoors and enjoys playing guitar, hunting, hiking, skiing, and other recreational activities. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Patrick McDonnell included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch | Best Lawyers, 2021 - 2024 Legal Elite | Nevada Business Magazine, 2018, 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Community Service | Pulitzer Prize Board, 2009 Super Lawyer – Rising Stars| Super Lawyers, 2020 - 2023 Top Lawyer | Vegas, Inc., 2024 Top Rated Lawyer | Avvo, 2020 - 2024 Other Sources of Feedback About Patrick McDonnell Included on the 2026Mountain States Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Mountain States Super Lawyers list 2023 Mountain States Super Lawyers list 2022 Mountain States Super Lawyers list 2021 Mountain States Super Lawyers list 2020 Mountain States Super Lawyers list

• Attorney

• Eighth Judicial District Court, State of Nevada, Extern for Judge Kenneth C. Cory, 2011
• Newspaper Editor, Las Vegas Sun and Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2002 - 2010
• El Paso Times (Gannett) and El Paso Herald-Post (Scripps-Howard), Newspaper Reporter and Editor, 1987 - 2002
• Languages
• English

• Nevada, 2013
• U.S. District Court District of Nevada
• U.S. Supreme Court, 2016

• Copyright Society of the USA, Member (Copyright Law, Intellectual Property)
• Nevada Justice Association
• State Bar of Nevada