Attorneys

John L. McDonnell III, Principal

John is the founder of the firm and manages relationships between clients and the firm's attorneys. He has served in senior management roles as a General Counsel of a public technology company and as a Vice President of Business Development for a consumer electronics company. He has particular expertise working with wireless, Internet, and software companies in all facets of their businesses.

Prior to forming the McDonnell Law Group in 2005, John was Vice President of Business Development for Virgin Electronics, a Richard Branson company. Previously, he served as General Counsel and Associate General Counsel for Handspring, the smartphone pioneer, and as Associate General Counsel for the Wireless Division at Palm, following its acquisition of Handspring. Prior to Handspring, John served as Associate General Counsel for Excite@Home, heading up the cable Internet access and content business. Earlier in his career, John represented technology companies in entity formations, venture financings, and all types of technology transactions.

Prior to practicing law, John worked as a computer programmer and as a high school baseball coach.

John is admitted to practice law in California and was a founding member of the Cyberspace Law Committee of the California State Bar.

He is an alumnus of the University of California at Berkeley and of University of San Francisco School of Law where he was a member of the Law Review.