Overview
Donna McBride is a seasoned trial lawyer having litigated to verdict hundreds of cases, many of which were jury trials. Her litigation practice is diverse. In addition to having an active personal injury practice, Donna has successfully helped both businesses and individuals involved in disputes arising out of contracts, insurance, employment and estate and trust matters.
Donna is a Shareholder at Miller, Miller & Canby where she has practiced in the litigation department since 2004. She is a native and lifelong resident of Montgomery County. Both before and after joining MM&C, she played leading roles in several multi-million dollar disputes, trying many of those cases to verdict. In early 2019, Donna was invited to be a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the “College” is by invitation only to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards. Membership cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.
In addition to her background as a trial lawyer, Donna is very active in the legal community. In 2013, she was appointed by the Court of Appeals (the highest Court in Maryland) to serve as one of 24 members on the Standing Committee of Rules of Practice and Procedure. She is currently serving her second 5-year term. In addition, she is a member of the Trial Court’s Judicial Nominating Commission, a position to which she was appointed to her second term by Governor Hogan in 2019. She is also a member of, and former co-chair of, the Maryland State Bar Association’s Judicial Selections Committee. Donna continues to be active in the Montgomery County Bar Association where she previously served several terms on the Executive Committee. In 2017, she was elected Treasurer for the 2018-2019 term. She now serves as Treasurer of the Montgomery County Bar Foundation. She is a member (and sits on the Board) of the Montgomery County Inn of Court and was recently nominated to serve as President for the 2021-2022 term. In addition, Donna regularly volunteers her time as a mediator for the District Court and is a frequent speaker at bar association events.
Donna is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. She has been named as a Super Lawyer for Maryland and in the District of Columbia each year since 2014.
Testimonials
Practice Areas
Professional Affiliations
- Bar Association of Montgomery County
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Maryland Defense Counsel
- Montgomery County Inn of Court
- Judge – High School Mock Trial Competition
- Montgomery County District Court Mediator
Education
- American University, J.D., 1990
- Georgetown University, B.S, B.A., 1986
Honors and Awards
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Selected as Super Lawyer for Maryland and District of Columbia (2014 – present)
- Montgomery County Bar Association, Executive Committee (2012-2014)
- Montgomery County Bar Foundation, Bar Leader
- Elected to Serve as Treasurer, Montgomery County Bar Association (2018-2019 term)
- Member, Maryland State Bar Association Judicial Selections Committee (former Co-Chair)
- Character Committee, Seventh Circuit, Member (2010-2013)
- Standing Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, Court of Appeals of Maryland (2013-present)
- Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission for District 11 (2015-present)
- Best Lawyers, 2022-2023
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Rating
Representative Cases
Shimoura v. Gazmen
Donna represented a physician who was the victim of embezzlement over several decades by his trusted office manager. The manager denied the theft and after a 6-day jury trial, the office manager was found liable for compensatory and punitive damages. The compensatory award was in excess of $900,000.
Prywes, et al. v. Van Dusen
Donna represented two individuals who were the victims of a “spying landlord.” The property owner, Dennis Van Dusen, rented rooms in his residence to young attractive females, and then spied on them by using video cameras disguised as smoke detectors mounted in various bedrooms throughout the house. After a 5-day jury trial, Mr. Van Dusen was found liable for both compensatory and punitive damages in an amount in excess of $1,000,000.
Khafra v. Beckwitt
Donna represented the family of a young man, Askia Khafra, burned to death in a home in Bethesda. The young man was hired by Daniel Beckwitt to dig a secret bunker underneath the home. After a fire broke out in the home, Askia, who was in the tunnels at the time, was unable to escape and perished in the fire. The case settled for a confidential sum at mediation.
Perlmutter v. Kalita
Donna represented Evelyn Perlmutter who was walking in a parking lot when she was struck by a car that was backing out of a parking space. Ms. Perlmutter sustained serious injuries. The case settled at mediation for $300,000.
Kazerouni v. Kazerouni
This case involved a dispute between father and son over the transfer of real property. Donna represented the son, to whom the father had deeded his home. After a dispute, the father tried to undo the transaction. After a bench trial, the Court found in favor of the son.
McKeon v. Rowe
Donna represented a law firm that was the victim of employee theft. The employee denied taking any money improperly. After discovery was completed, Donna filed a motion for summary judgment, which motion was granted, and judgment was entered in favor of the law firm for all damages sought.
DISCLAIMER: THE CASES AND RESULTS DESCRIBED HEREIN ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF PAST RESULTS OBTAINED BY MILLER, MILLER & CANBY, AND ITS ATTORNEYS. PAST CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE RESULTS. ALL CASES ARE DISTINCT AND HAVE UNIQUE FACTS, CIRCUMSTANCES AND LEGAL QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED AND EVALUATED ON THEIR OWN MERIT.