
Thomas J. McDonald
Member
Practice Areas
Education
J.D., cum laude, University of Michigan, 1983
B.B.A., with high distinction, University of Michigan, 1980
Beta Gamma Sigma
Phi Beta Kappa
- Profile
- Experience
- Professional + Civic
Tom McDonald is the firm’s senior real estate transactions attorney and has been instrumental in building our real estate team. Tom represents a wide range of clients in complex real estate matters. His background includes extensive experience with large land transactions, infrastructure development, and mixed-use projects.
Tom is an attorney with Gammage & Burnham, where he provides comprehensive legal counsel in real estate, construction, and corporate transactions. His practice covers a broad spectrum of real estate matters, including the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and sale of residential, commercial, office, industrial, and agricultural properties throughout Arizona. Tom works with a diverse client base, including builders, developers, investors, owners, infrastructure groups, lenders, municipalities, and golf course owners and operators, helping them navigate the complexities of their transactions.
In addition to his real estate work, Tom has extensive experience with public-private transactions, development agreements, community facilities districts, utility agreements, and other infrastructure-related matters. His ability to effectively address both the legal and practical challenges of these issues allows him to guide clients through the intricacies of complex projects.
Outside of his legal practice, Tom is passionate about his community and enjoys spending time with his family. He also enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking and golfing, which aligns with his work in Arizona’s vibrant real estate market.
Court Admissions
- State Bar of Arizona
Publications
- Transaction Privilege Tax (coauthor), Commercial Executive (2016)
- Arizona Corporate Practice (coauthor), Thomson Reuters
- Arizona State Board of Real Estate Transactions Manual-First Edition, (contributing author)
Significant Representations
- Represented major homebuilders for more than 20 years, including helping several homebuilders open and grow Arizona divisions.
- More than 20 years’ experience negotiating and preparing multi-developer and builder joint development agreements for onsite and offsite improvements, including regional road, regional drainage, wastewater treatment plants and water campuses.
- Lead lawyer on acquisition and development of IRIS USA Western USA corporate headquarters, which includes a rail-served manufacturing, distribution and R&D facility.
- Arizona State Land Department transactions, including one of the first utility scale solar leases and one of the first mixed-use and condominium leases.
- Infill representation including public-private parking facilities.
Professional & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association Sections of Real Estate, Construction, and Corporate, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- State Bar of Arizona Sections of Real Estate, Construction, and Corporate, Member
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Member
- State Bar Arizona Certified Real Estate Specialist
- Valley Partnership Legislative Committee, Member
- Home Builders Association of Central Arizona, Member
- University of Michigan Ross Club of Phoenix, President
- ASU Alliance for Construction Excellence – Public Private
Partnerships and Policy Committee Chair - Greater Phoenix Economic Council-Community Building Consortium (2010-2019)
- Lambda Alpha International, Member