ON MAY 1, 2026, I RECEIVED WHAT MANY CONSIDER TO BE THE GREATEST HONOR THAT CAN BE AWARDED TO A PRACTICING ATTORNEY. I WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR SANDERS TO SERVE AS CIRCUIT JUDGE IN CALHOUN, CLEVELAND, COLUMBIA, DALLAS, OUACHITA AND UNION COUNTIES. IT WAS WITH MIXED EMOTIONS THAT I ACCEPTED THE APPOINTMENT BECAUSE, DUE TO THE APPOINTMENT, I CAN NO LONGER PRACTICE LAW. I MISS BEING ABLE TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF MY LOYAL CLIENTS AND FRIENDS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING BEEN SUPPORTIVE FOR THE PAST 40 PLUS YEARS.

Gary McDonald, Attorney at Law

Gary McDonald has been proudly serving Magnolia, Arkansas and surrounding areas with a full range of legal services since 1979. Mr. McDonald limits his practice to DWI defense, criminal law, probate administration, and planning for life, illness and death.

No stranger to the courtroom, Mr. McDonald, has successfully tried cases in the District, Circuit, Appeals and Supreme Courts of Arkansas as well as the U.S. District Courts of Arkansas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Contact

101 N. Washington
El Dorado, AR 71730

870-864-1947

gmcdonald@unioncountyar.gov

Gary McDonald is a general practitioner who actively began practicing law in 1979.

His practice has included a multitude of subject areas which has resulted in a broad range of experience. He can proudly proclaim a good working knowledge of many areas of the law. Mr. McDonald is no stranger to the courtroom, having successfully tried cases in the District, Circuit, Appeals and Supreme Courts of Arkansas as well as the U.S. District Courts of Arkansas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Gary McDonald strives to provide high quality legal services in a timely manner. He works both on an hourly and states fee basis. Mr. McDonald’s regular practice includes aggressive DWI & Criminal Defense along with Planning For Life, Illness & Death.

Education:

Southern State College, Bachelor of Science, 1975;
University of Arkansas, Juris Doctor, 1978;
Southern Methodist University, Master of Laws., 1979.

Martindell Hubbell Peer Rating: Excellent

The National Trial Lawyers Lists Gary McDonald as One of Its Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers in Arkansas

Membership in this exclusive organization is by invitation only and is limited to the top 100 attorneys in each state or region who have demonstrated excellence and have achieved outstanding results in their careers in either civil plaintiff or criminal defense law. With the selection of Gary McDonald by The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, Mr. McDonald has shown that he exemplifies superior qualifications, leadership skills, and trial results as a trial lawyer.