Proud Sponsor of the Whatever it Takes Golf Tournament 2026
The team at Macdonald & Cody, LLP is pleased to be able to help contribute to organizations like, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley and their upcoming event on September 14th, the 2026 Whatever it Takes Golf Tournament.
Macdonald & Cody Celebrates 10 Years at 2026 Annual Bowling Event
Macdonald & Cody, LLP recently brought together our team and their families for our annual bowling event. It was a time of friendly competition, good company, and a special celebration of the firm’s 10th anniversary!
Since opening our doors in 2016, Macdonald & Cody has grown alongside the talented attorneys and professionals who have helped shape the firm over the past decade. We are grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey and proud to celebrate this milestone together.
Thank you to our team and families for making this year’s bowling event especially memorable. Here’s to 10 years and many more to come!
Read MoreJury Awards $210,000 for Admitted Liability Accident with Two Claimed Surgeries
On May 27, 2026, Scott Macdonald and Steven Hingst secured a favorable trial verdict in Orange County. The matter involved a significant rear-end impact. We admitted liability, but contested causation for the claimed injuries. Plaintiff underwent a left shoulder surgery for a torn labrum and rotator cuff. Plaintiff also underwent a minimally invasive lumbar discectomy for alleged disc herniations at L4-5 and L5-S1. Plaintiff waived all past medical specials except for the lumbar procedure for which she sought $160,000. She sought future care, including a cervical fusion surgery, and requested $350,000. She asked the jury to award a total of $4,000,000.
We were able to demonstrate for the jury that the medical treatment received was lacking in a continuity of care given her being transferred from lien doctor to lien doctor. e introduced evidence of a subsequent accident which preceded the lumbar surgery. Plaintiff claimed she was uninjured in the subsequent loss. The jury awarded $100,000 in past medical bills, $75,000 in future medical bills, $25,000 in past pain and suffering and $10,000 in future pain and suffering. We will seek costs given that we had offered $500,000 by way of C.C.P. 998.
Read MoreLaura Flynn Published in Defense Comment Regarding Allen v. Patel
Macdonald & Cody, LLP is pleased to share that partner Laura Flynn has been published in the Spring 2026 issue of Defense Comment, the publication of the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada.
Laura’s article, Allen v. Patel: Million Dollar Verdict Vacated After Granting of New Trial Based on Misconduct of Plaintiff’s Counsel, Including Violations of Golden Rule and Reptile Theory, analyzes a significant California appellate decision addressing attorney misconduct, improper argument, and motions for new trial.
The article serves as an important reminder of the value of carefully crafted motions in limine to address and prevent attorney misconduct, particularly with Golden Rule and Reptile Theory arguments at issue. Laura examines the Court’s treatment of those issues and the broader implications for trial practice and defense advocacy.
We congratulate Laura on this excellent publication and are proud to recognize her contributions to the defense bar.
Read the article here: ADC Defense Comment Magazine, Spring 2026
Read MoreProud to support St. Paul High School Baseball
The team at Macdonald & Cody, LLP is please to support Coach R.J. Lan and the St. Paul High School Baseball program in Santa Fe Springs, CA, through a donation to assist with their fundraising efforts.
Proud Sponsor of the 19th Annual OC ABOTA Golf Classic
The team at Macdonald & Cody, LLP is pleased to be able to help contribute to organizations like, The American Board of Trial Advocates, Orange County Chapter and the upcoming event on May 18th, the 19th Annual OC ABOTA Golf Classic.
Proud Sponsor of the 22nd Annual Federated Challenge
The team at Macdonald & Cody, LLP is pleased to be able to help contribute to organizations like, Big Brothers Big Sisters® and the upcoming event on July 27th, the 22nd Annual Federated Challenge.
Orange County Jury Awards Plaintiff Just Over 10% of Eight Figures Requested at Trial
On January 30, 2026, Scott Macdonald and Danielle Boyd secured a verdict in the Orange County Superior Court for an admitted liability, alleged traumatic brain injury case. The case involved a side-swipe accident in which plaintiff’s driver’s side door was hit by a third vehicle after our client ran a red light. Plaintiff hit her head against the passenger side window, causing a hematoma. She was self-transported to the hospital after the collision, where she was diagnosed with a concussion. Imaging also revealed a pre-existing Chiari I malformation. Plaintiff sought care with multiple lien providers following the accident with complaints of headaches and other associated neurological symptoms. She claimed a significant life disruption, including difficulties working and caring for three children. Plaintiff sought over $15,000,000 at trial for a life-long injury.
Mr. Macdonald and Ms. Boyd introduced evidence that two of plaintiff’s three children were born after the accident. Social media and investigative footage demonstrated that plaintiff was not as impaired as claimed. Expert testimony established that the concussion was mild and would have resolved within a short period of time.
After deliberations, the jury awarded less than half of plaintiff’s past medical bills, $50,000. The jury awarded a small percentage of the Life Care Plan sought by plaintiff, $115,000. The jury awarded past pain and suffering of $450,000 and future pain and suffering of $40,000. The total verdict was $655,000.
Following Plaintiff’s motion for a new trial on grounds of future noneconomic being inadequate and baseless allegations of juror misconduct, the court denied, and the verdict was successfully protected.
Read MoreProud Sponsor of the 9th Annual CRB Golf Tournament
The team at Macdonald & Cody, LLP is pleased to be able to help contribute to organizations like, The Alabaster Jar Project and the upcoming event on May 8th, the 9th Annual CRB Golf Tournament.
Proud Sponsor of the Childhelp Rich Saul Memorial Golf Classic 2026
The team at Macdonald & Cody, LLP is pleased to be able to help contribute to organizations like, Childhelp and their upcoming event on May 18th, the Rich Saul Memorial Golf Classic 2026.
