Arthur Donato Jr. Photo

Arthur T. Donato Jr.

Sole Proprietor
  • Profile
  • Credentials
  • Associations
  • Practice Areas

Since 1980, Mr. Donato has represented individuals and corporate entities in complicated criminal cases in both State and Federal Court. He is a member of the American, Pennsylvania and Delaware County Bar Associations, the American Association for Justice, the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, and holds an A-V rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He was a founding member and past president of both the Delaware County and Pennsylvania Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Mr. Donato was privileged to serve on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee from 1992 to 1998. He is a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Mr. Donato was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Villanova University in 1977, a Juris Doctor from the Delaware Law School of Widener University in 1980, and was awarded a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Villanova University in May of 1990, during which time he concentrated his writing in the field of Ethics and Personal Responsibility.

Since 1981, Mr. Donato has been a visiting lecturer at Villanova University speaking on "Use of the Insanity Defense in Criminal Prosecutions" and currently is an instructor in the Sociology and Criminal Justice Departments teaching "Sociolegal Aspects of Criminal Procedure" and "The Supreme Court and its Influence on American Society". Mr. Donato frequently lectures at continuing legal education seminars, speaks to community organizations, and testifies before legislative bodies on a variety of criminal justice issues.

Litigation Percentage

  • 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation


 

Past Employment Positions
  • Malady & Donato, Partner, 1984 - 1996
  • Prodoehl, Malady & Donato, Partner, 1983 - 1984
  • Prodoehl, James & Donato, Associate, 1980 - 1983
  • Law Offices of Eugene J. Malady, Law Clerk, 1977 - 1980
  • Office of the District Attorney for the County of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Intern, 1979
  • Law Offices of G. Bradley Rainer, Law Clerk, 197
Education
  • B.S. Major: Economics Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania - College 1977
  • M.A. Major: Philosophy Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania - College 1990
  • J.D. Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware - Graduate School 1980
Bar Admissions
  • Pennsylvania, 1980
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court
Memberships
  • Delaware County Bar Association, Member
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2004 - Present
  • American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Fellow, 1990 - Present
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2004 - Present
  • American Association for Justice, Member
  • Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Member
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member, 1990
  • Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Co-Founder; Past President
  • Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Co-Chairman, Lawyers Assistance Strike Force, 1990 - Present
  • Delaware County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Founder; President, 1986 - 1989
  • Delaware County Bar Association Committees, Member, Criminal Legal Education Rules, Trial Practices, Civil Rights
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court Criminal Procedural Rules Committee, Member, 1992 - 1998
  • American Law Institute – Model Penal Code – (Sex Offenses), Advisor
Awards
  • American College of Trial Lawyers

    Fellow, 2004 – Present. An invitation-only credentialed organization of exceptional litigators.

    American College of Trial Lawyers
  • A-V Rating

    Received the highest peer-reviewed rating of AV Preeminent® from Martindale-Hubbell®.

    A-V Rating
  • The Best Lawyers in America

    Listed 1995-2021. Recognizes the top 6% of private practicing attorneys in the US.

    The Best Lawyers in America
  • American Bar Foundation

    Fellow, 2004 – Present. Membership is limited to 1% of lawyers and is given to those who have shown outstanding dedication to the law.

    American Bar Foundation
  • Nominated to Who's Who American Colleges and Universities, 1977
    Nominated to Who's Who
  • Best Law Firms - Pennsylvania

    U.S. News and World Report 2020

    Best Law Firms - Pennsylvania
  • American Board of Criminal Lawyers Fellow

    Members must have at least 10 years of criminal trial experience, and have had tried at least 50 trials.

    American Board of Criminal Lawyers Fellow
  • The Charles P. Gelso President's Award

    Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2011.

    The Charles P. Gelso President's Award
  • Elected to Outstanding Young Men in America 1976 - 1977
    Elected to Outstanding Young Men in America
  • Outstanding Service Award Delaware County Bar Association, 1987
    Outstanding Service Award
  • Outstanding Service Award Delaware County Bar Association, 1988
    Outstanding Service Award
  • Best Lawyers in Pennsylvania

    The Wallstreet Journal

    Best Lawyers in Pennsylvania
  • Outstanding Service Award Villanova University, President of Student Body, 1977
    Outstanding Service Award
  • Two Years of Service Award Radnor Fire Co. 1976
    Two Years of Service Award
  • Award of the Officers and Directors Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1995
    Award of the Officers and Directors
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
    Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

    ABA offers countless resources to lawyers, judges, and law students.

    American Bar Association
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

    Members are fully equipped to serve all accused persons at the highest level.

    National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • The Honorable Paul R. Sand President's Award Delaware County Bar Association, 2011
    The Honorable Paul R. Sand President's Award
  • President's Award Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1998
    President's Award
  • Best Law Firms

    Pennsylvania - U.S. News and World Report, 2020

    Best Law Firms
  • Jr. Memorial Award Nicholas D. Vadino, Significant Contributions by a Young Lawyer to the Organized Bar, 1989
  • Award of Appreciation Delaware County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1989
  • Liberty Award Presented by the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1990
    Liberty Award
  • Man of the Year Lawyers Club, Delaware County Bar Association, 1993
    Man of the Year

We Bring You a Higher Standard

We bring outstanding credentials to your legal matter, including the highest peer-reviewed rating of AV Preeminent® from Martindale-Hubbell®. Arthur Thomas Donato has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2004, an invitation-only credentialed organization of exceptional litigators. Only attorneys who have demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism, ethical conduct, integrity, and ability are invited. He has also been a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers since 1990. The latter organization’s qualifications include 10 years of criminal trial experience trying a minimum of 50 trials in which 35 involved felonies. Less than one percent of U.S. attorneys have been invited to join.

  • Outstanding Service Award
  • American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • A-V Rating
  • The Best Lawyers in America
  • American Bar Foundation
  • Nominated to Who's Who
  • The Charles P. Gelso President's Award
  • American Board of Criminal Lawyers Fellow

Get Started On Your Case Today

To Schedule an Initial Consultation With an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer, 
Call Our Office at 610-565-4747, or Complete the Form Below.
  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.