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Alumnus named an Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer

Daniel W. McDonald, a partner at the intellectual property law firm Merchant & Gould, has been selected as an “Attorney of the Year 2015” by Minnesota Lawyer. McDonald received an electrical engineering degree in 1982 and a law degree in 1985, both from the University of Minnesota.

Attorneys are chosen for this award based on their leadership in professional associations, success in important cases, participation in newsworthy events in the legal community, excellence in legal services and significant public service.

“It's no secret that Dan is one of the community's most respected and trusted attorneys,” said Brian H. Batzli, CEO and managing director of Merchant and Gould. “We are very proud of Dan's work with various legal organizations and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association Board. He is a great part of the Merchant & Gould team and we’re extremely pleased to have him as our partner.”

In private practice for 30 years, McDonald focuses on patent litigation, trademark/trade dress litigation, copyright litigation, and trade secret litigation with an emphasis on electronics, software, and Internet issues. McDonald has been active in professional associations in the legal field, has served on Merchant & Gould's Executive Committee multiple times, and currently serves as chair of the firm's litigation practice group.

This year, McDonald led the legal teams that secured major litigation wins for two clients, and served as chair-elect of the Board of Directors for the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. McDonald also organized and moderated a continuing legal education (CLE) session about gender issues in intellectual property disputes that featured his longtime client. At the CLE, this client, an individual inventor who persevered against and eventually prevailed over several large retailers and shoe vendors that infringed her patent, shared her story and unique perspective on gender-related issues in patent litigation, inspiring others to overcome similar challenges.

Minnesota Lawyer is the state’s only independent newspaper and online resource dedicated to providing court opinions, verdicts, settlements, appellate decisions, and legal news to enhance the practice of law in Minnesota. The newspaper will highlight the honorees in a special section of the publication and will recognize the 2015 Attorneys of the Year at an awards program Feb. 18 in Minneapolis.

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