Donald R. McNeil

With over 32 years of experience, Donald R. McNeil brings a unique approach to his mediation practice. Not only does Don use evaluative negotiation with input as a neutral, but his background as a trial attorney allows him to effectively evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each case.

Don is known for bringing ingenuity to his work as a mediator, “I solve problems.  I always recommend mediation before going to arbitration or trial, with a limited number of exceptions, and you will find that judges in Minnesota require it. I am honored to receive referrals from judges to mediate difficult business and employment disputes. I think I’m known for being a straight shooter. When I get a hold of a matter, I like to get on the phone with people right away to try to resolve it. I’ve seen so many clients with litigation fatigue. They start out all emotionally fired up, but it takes about six months, and they start looking for a way out. That is a good time for mediation.”

He is on the current roster of qualified Rule 114 Neutrals with the Minnesota Supreme Court. He works on a variety of business and employment disputes, including business divorce in closely held companies, shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, buy-sell agreements, non-competes, executive compensation disputes, real estate matters,employment disputes and contract matters. Don also works in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) (previously NASD), including customer claims for unsuitable or speculative investment recommendations, and registered representatives in employment disputes. Don has presented seven cases before the Minnesota Supreme Court on important and significant legal issues. For more than ten years, Law & Politics magazine recognized Don as one of the Top 40 Business Litigators in Minnesota. He has been recognized every year since 1999 as a Minnesota SuperLawyer. 

Don graduated third in his law school class at Mitchell Hamline Law School before serving as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Mary Jeanne Coyne of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Don practiced with Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman before joining Heley, Duncan & Melander as a partner.  He currently serves as the firm’s managing partner.  Don is a husband and father of three, and as a former 400 meter trackster at Gustavus Adolphus College likes to remind people that the “older he gets, the faster he was.”

• Mitchell Hamline Law School 
• Gustavus Adolphus College

• Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA certified civil trial specialist)
• Hennepin County Bar Association (2016 Pro Bono Publico award)
• FINRA arbitrator
• Past president and current Board Member of PACER Center, a national organization helping families and children with disabilities
• Co-chaired the Minnesota Legislative Taskforce reviewing caseloads for special education
• Served on the Minnesota Department of Human Services Autism Spectrum Disorder (“ASD”) Advisory Council providing input into the development of a Medical Assistance benefit for children with ASD
• Served on the Minnesota Department of Education Finance Work Group
• He has been quoted in the Washington Post and other news media on issues affecting children with disabilities.

$400 an hour for mediation.