About Randy McDonald
Attorney Randy McDonald is a graduate of the Harvard Law School. He served as a judicial law clerk for then-Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, Scott Bales, and went on to practice at some of the finest law firms in Arizona, representing clients at all stages of litigation in both state and federal courts. During this time, he was mentored by Larry Hammond, the founder of the Arizona Justice Project, and developed a sizeable pro bono practice representing indigent criminal defendants in Arizona’s prisons.
Several years ago, he left “big law” to take a job as the Director of the Post-Conviction Clinic at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. In that capacity, he trains future lawyers on criminal appeals and post-conviction practice. He is well-known and well-respected in the criminal defense community and has a demonstrated track record of success in front of both state and federal courts.
RECOGNITION AND AWARDS
Phoenix Magazine Top Criminal Defense Lawyers
2022
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, President’s Commendation
2020
Arizona Bar Leadership Institute
2019
Experience.
Randy graduated from one of the nation’s top law schools, clerked for the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, and practiced at some of the finest law firms in the Southwest. He has participated as counsel in dozens of appeals and post-conviction matters in both state and federal courts, and has represented many inmates before state parole boards. He has argued many cases before state and federal appellate courts, including Chaparro v. Shinn – which opened up a pathway for parole to hundreds of inmates in Arizona’s prisons.
Expertise.
Randy runs the Post-Conviction Clinic at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law – which is recognized as one of the top law schools in the country, and the best in Arizona. In addition, he regularly works with the Arizona Justice Project on appeals and related post-conviction proceedings, including Rule 32 petitions, petitions for habeas corpus, and applications for clemency and parole. He sits on the Arizona State Bar’s Criminal Practice and Procedure Committee and has conducted numerous trainings on various topics relating to appeals, post-conviction proceedings, and parole.
Recent Successes
State v. Williams
(Arizona Court of Appeals, 2023)
Randy successfully overturned a plea agreement that included an enhanced sentence for prior convictions where those convictions were vacated after Arizona legalized marijuana in 2021.
State v. Carter
(Arizona Supreme Court, 2020)
Randy successfully overturned a conviction for theft on double jeopardy grounds.
Chaparro v. Shinn
(Arizona Supreme Court, 2020)
Randy successfully won the right to seek parole for hundreds of Arizona inmates after the Arizona Department of Corrections wrongfully tried to deny them parole hearings they had been promised when they were sentenced.
Dedication.
Randy left a prestigious career in which he worked for some of the top law firms in the Southwest to dedicate his practice to representing criminal defendants and their families in appeals and post-conviction proceedings. As the Director of the Post-Conviction Clinic at ASU, he has represented dozens of inmates in Arizona’s prisons at various stages in their proceedings. He also understands the unique pressures that can be applied to the family of prison inmates, and has experience working with families to make sure that they are heard in the appeals process.
Contact Our Firm
Randy is here for you.
At The Law Office of Randal B. McDonald, I am here to listen to you and help you navigate the legal system.
602-325-3092 | [email protected]