Donald J. Magilligan is a partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy based in the firm’s San Francisco Bay Area office. Magilligan specializes in complex litigation involving wildfires, wrongful death, and business fraud.
Magilligan has tried 48 jury trials. He developed his trial skills during a ten-year career as a prosecutor in Santa Clara County (2012–18) and Contra Costa County (2008–12). Magilligan was recognized for distinguished service by the Santa Clara District Attorney, San Jose Police Department Gang Intelligence Unit, and the San Jose Police Academy where he taught ethics, evidence, and search and seizure.
Magilligan received his J.D. from the University of San Francisco. While at U.S.F., he was a member of the Law Review, served on the Student Budget Committee, and received the CALI award for being the top student in Torts. Magilligan sat on the Faculty-Student Steering Committee at the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good. During law school, Magilligan learned to try cases by watching experienced prosecutors at the United States Attorney’s Office, San Mateo District Attorney’s Office, and San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. Magilligan also clerked for the Honorable Maura Corrigan of the Michigan Supreme Court.
