Amanda Brookie McDonald was passionate about oral advocacy, reading, and writing from a young age, but it wasn’t until her sophomore year of college that she realized she wanted to be a lawyer.
“My family says my path was clear much earlier,” she said. “When I was young, I put on a mock trial in a children’s museum courtroom where I sentenced my grandpa to life without dessert for his horrid suggestion of flushing my dead beta fish down the toilet (rather than holding a proper burial).”
During law school, Amanda received three book awards and was a member of the Order of the Barristers National Advocacy Honor Society. She also received the UNC Craven Moot Court Competition award for third best brief and was twice listed in ‘Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.’ While in law school, she worked as a legal extern for Judge Calabria at the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
Amanda grew up watching the continual hard work and determination of her mother who owned a small business. “I saw my mom face both the challenging and rewarding aspects of owning a small business,” she said. “This instilled in me a great admiration for small business owners and the challenges of running a business; I am excited to work on behalf of businesses of all sizes.”
Amanda is passionate about every case that comes across her desk and enjoys the new challenges that each brings. She spent a year as a family lawyer where she gained a whole new understanding of the phrase “counselor” at law. This experience enhanced her client focus; cases are never just about numbers to her, but about the people and parties involved.
While not practicing law, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and their golden retriever that they rescued from China.
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT:
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Mecklenburg County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
HONORS:
- Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2025 in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
- Book Awards: Traditional and Social Media Law, Health Law, Employment Law
- Order of the Barristers National Advocacy Honor Society
- ‘Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges’: 2014-2015, 2015-2016
- 2014 Wake County Bar Association Memorial Scholarship Recipient
- UNC Craven Moot Court Competition Third Best Brief
- 2016 Pro Bono Project of the Year Award Recipient