Brian D. McDonald
About Brian D. McDonald
Brian D. McDonald is a lawyer based in San Francisco, CA and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2023. Brian D. McDonald is recognized in the following practice area:
- San Francisco, California
- Insurance Law
Current Firm: Jones Day
Education: University of California Berkeley, JD, graduated 2002 and Georgetown University, BS Foreign Service, graduated 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
Richard J. Guggenhime is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Richard J., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Caitlin Sinclaire Blythe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Caitlin Sinclaire, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Caitlin Sinclaire is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Cecily Barclay focuses her practice on land use and entitlements, real estate acquisition and development and local government law. She regularly assists landowners, developers and public agencies throughout Northern California in all aspects of acquisition, entitlement and development of land, including land use application processing, drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, negotiating and securing the approval of development agreements, general plan amendments, specific plan...
Peter Aitelli is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Peter, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Shannon Bettis Nakabayashi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Shannon Bettis, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shannon Bettis is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Stacie Polashuk Nelson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Stacie Polashuk, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stacie Polashuk is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sara Ghalandari is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Sara, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Joshua D. White is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joshua D., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joshua D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kirsten Wolff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Kirsten, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kirsten is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Paul Goldstein, the Lillick Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, has been Of Counsel to Morrison & Foerster since 1988 and works with lawyers in the firm's offices around the world, advising on copyright and related intellectual property matters that arise in the context of litigation, licensing, and counselling. As a member of firm teams in each of these settings, he draws on more than 42 years' experience teaching and practicing copyright law to help clients design practical solutio...
Explore and Learn
The Family Law Loophole That Lets Sex Offenders Parent Kids
by Bryan Driscoll
Is the state's surrogacy framework putting children at risk?
Unenforceable HOA Rules: What Homeowners Can Do About Illegal HOA Actions
by Bryan Driscoll
Not every HOA rule is legal. Learn how to recognize and fight unenforceable HOA rules that overstep the law.
Best Lawyers 2026: Discover the Honorees in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain
by Jamilla Tabbara
A growing international network of recognized legal professionals.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Can a Green Card Be Revoked?
by Bryan Driscoll
Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.
What Is the Difference Between a Will and a Living Trust?
by Bryan Driscoll
A practical guide to wills, living trusts and how to choose the right plan for your estate.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
New Texas Family Laws Transform Navigating Divorce, Custody
by Bryan Driscoll
Reforms are sweeping, philosophically distinct and designed to change the way families operate.
The 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico
by Jamilla Tabbara
The region’s most highly regarded lawyers.