As co-founder, President and managing partner of McDonnell & Associates, Courtney Seda McDonnell strives to build a law firm that caters to the individual needs of each client, gives back to the community, and provides professional growth opportunities to the firm’s attorneys. She focuses on staying on the cutting edge of technology to ensure the security of her client’s data and to provide high-quality, cost-effective legal services to all firm clients. Courtney works closely with the firm’s IT and security compliance company to ensure the firm is staying compliance with all client security guidelines. In 2014, Courtney received the SmartCEO Brava Award for outstanding female entrepreneur.


Courtney manages all the business and financial aspects of the firm. She also handles third party vendor vetting and selection for litigation support services and business management. She serves as the relationship partner to one of the world’s largest retailers. Courtney handles all case assignments and oversees the work product of all attorneys and paralegals at the firm. Courtney has experience managing all aspects of litigated matters and has tried cases to verdict. Courtney manages her own case load of premises security, and premises liability matters. Courtney frequently assists with trial strategy and preparation in high profile cases and participates in focus groups.


Courtney is responsible for recruiting and developing a team of experienced quality lawyers that fit into the supportive, collegial culture of the firm. As a Hispanic woman, Courtney is committed to creating a diverse team of lawyers and actively recruits women and minority lawyers and paralegals. The firm is certified as a minority and woman owned firm. Further, Courtney understands the value of family time and is committed to providing a firm culture that supports work-life balance, Courtney has spoken on the topic of diversity and work-life balance on several occasions, including for a “Fortune 500” Company and for the National Association of Women Lawyers.


Courtney is very involved in community outreach and instills this principle into the firm culture. For several years, Courtney served as a pro bono attorney with the Support Center for Child Advocates in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and was recognized by the First Judicial District of PA for exemplary pro bono work and enrolled in their Pro Bono Honor Roll in 2010 and 2011. Courtney is also an active supporter and/or volunteer of Unite For Her and the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. 


Before attending law school, Courtney taught Latin at a prestigious private school and participated overseas in the study of classical language, ancient history, and archeology. Courtney graduated from The Dickinson School of Law in 1995, where she was a write on candidate for Law Review. Courtney graduated from Dickinson College in 1991 and was a member of the Honorary Society for Latin majors.


Courtney is the proud mother of two daughters. In her free time, Courtney enjoys playing tennis, running, and cooking. She also enjoys traveling with her daughters and husband.

Successfully obtained a defense verdict for a major retailer in case of alleged false arrest arising from a shoplifting check. Customer alleged he was wrongfully stopped when store security asked him to verify his purchases against his receipt after security system was activated as he was leaving the store. Customer alleged he was detained without probable cause when he was taken back inside the store to review his purchases at a nearby register. Even though the undisputed evidence demonstrated that the customer had paid for his purchases and the security alarm was an error, the jury found in favor of retailer. Courtney successfully argued that the retailer had probable cause to stop the customer and he was not confined or arrested during the verification process.


Successfully obtained a defense verdict in a case where a minor child sustained a laceration and permanent scar from a broken mirror. The minor’s parents and guardians contended that the mirror had been broken for a significant period of time and the store failed to rectify a significant safety hazard. Courtney successfully argued that the evidence suggested that the mirror had either been broken by the unattended minor child or within a few minutes of the accident. Although there was no direct evidence presented as to how the mirror was broken, the defense presented circumstantial evidence that the glass was: 1) primarily contained to the shelf area; 2) was not scattered around the aisle; and 3) was not crushed by foot traffic. Accordingly, a jury found that the store did not have actual or constructive notice of the broken mirror and denied the minor recovery.

Lectures


Round Table Discussion: "Mentorship: How to Choose the Right Mentor for Yourself and Become a Good Mentor for Others." 2015.


"Developing and Promoting a Diverse Environment Inside and Outside the Legal Community, " Panelist, The National Association of Women Lawyers' 11th Annual General Counsel Institute, 2015.


“Meeting the Diversity Commitment in Challenging Times,” panelist, Wal-Mart Super Conference, 2011


Presenter of the Class II Supplier of the Year Award at The Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council’s annual Choice Awards Gala on December 1, 2017. The Gala is dedicated to recognizing the achievements of top minority-owned businesses, industry leaders, and major corporations committed to diversity.

COURTNEY SEDA MCDONELL

Owner and Managing Partner

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

PRACTICE AREAS
Premises Liability
Premises Security

Employment Law

Commercial Transportation

Product Liability

Pharmacy
BAR ADMISSIONS

Pennsylvania, 1995

New Jersey, 1996

U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

The Dickinson School of Law - Pennsylvania State University, J.D., 1995

  • Law Review, write on candidate

Dickinson College, B.A., Latin, 1991

  • Eta Sigma Phi, Honorary Society for Latin Major
LANGUAGES

Latin

ASSOCIATIONS

The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms

National Association of Women Lawyers

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

SmartCEO Brava Award 2014

First Judicial District Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2010 and 2011