Stepping Into the Stream LLC

John P. McDonald, Attorney at Law, has practiced health care licensing and compliance, business and corporate, and estate planning law for more than 35 years. He is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Law (Bloomington) and has completed more than 60 credit hours in Financial, Management, Cost, and Forensic Accounting. Mr. McDonald conducted the Federal Communications Commission's "Payola" investigations from 1976 to 1980.He has extensive experience in estate planning and estate taxation matters, including the preparation of wills, trusts, and community and separate property agreements, and probate.In his law practice, McDonald has drafted, modified, and evaluated hundreds of complex contracts, stipulations, and agreements, covenants not to compete, covenants not to disclose, and employment and labor agreements, including collective bargaining agreements between unions and employers. He has drafted and evaluated employee policy handbooks for both employers and employees.His experience has provided him with wide-ranging experience representing clients before state and federal administrative and regulatory agencies in matters involving licensing, compliance investigations, hearings, and proposed and final stipulated agreements of Washington and other state medical and health care quality assurance commissions (Department of Health), the Federal Communications Commission; the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission; the Washington Insurance Commissioner and Financial Institutions regulatory agencies; and state and federal agencies administering employment and labor laws in the public and private sectors.He has represented employers in workers' compensation appeals of Department of Labor and Industries' assessments, and both employers and employees in unemployment compensation appeals before the Office of Administrative Appeals.Mr. McDonald has represented alternative long distance companies before the Washington Supreme Court in administrative rule making matters (American Network, Inc. v. Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission) and has represented clients before the various Department of Health Quality Assurance Commissions which license and regulate professional activities of physicians, dentists, chiropractors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professions. He has extensive experience and knowledge concerning medical information confidentiality and privacy, including those provisions of HIPAA and the Washington Medical Records laws, and has represented numerous clients in matters involving the use or misuse of legend drugs.His representation of business entities includes the formation business organizations and the sale, purchase, and merger of businesses. He has represented businesses in employment and labor matters including negotiations with employees and investigations of internal corporate affairs.Mr. McDonald emphasizes personal service and understands that trust between the lawyer and client is the bridge to successful representation and advocacy. He strives to enhance that trust with each activity he undertakes on behalf of his clients. He is available and responsive to his clients' goals and needs.