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Contact | Careers
“Trey McDonald embodies everything one should expect from top-notch legal counsel. His guidance in the midst of contentious litigation and tedious negotiations was not only trusted, but truly counted on, while his poise, command of the documents and facts in the case earned the respect of all parties involved.”

— C. Denise Beaudoin, General Counsel, The Dr. Oz Show

Jackson Walker
William A.I. McDonald III

William A.I. McDonald

Of Counsel, Houston
713.752.4268
wmcdonald@jw.com
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Practice Experience Recognition & Accolades Publications & Speeches Community Involvement Client Results Attorney News

Practice Areas

  • Trial & Appellate Litigation

Experience

  • Digital
  • Entertainment Litigation
  • Entertainment Transactions
  • Entertainment, Digital, & Sports
  • Media
  • Media Litigation
  • Sports

Biography

Trey McDonald is a litigator with experience in Texas, New York, and California federal courts and Texas state courts. He practices media litigation, trademark and copyright litigation, and complex commercial litigation with a focus on First Amendment, defamation, false advertising, and Lanham Act claims.

He has represented media personalities and companies including Oprah Winfrey, Harpo Productions Inc., Dr. Mehmet Oz, Zoco Productions, LLC, Sony Pictures Television, Inc., and Tuft & Needle.

Education

B.A., magna cum laude, Political Science, Morehouse College

  • Stanford University Exchange Fellow, Political Science
  • Dean’s Academic Award for Superior Academic Achievement

J.D., University of Texas School of Law

  • President, Thurgood Marshall Legal Society
  • Semifinalist, Susman Godfrey Moot Court Competition
  • Legislative staffer, Honorable Texas State Senator Royce West during the 82nd Texas Legislative regular and special sessions

Bar Admissions

Texas

Court Admissions

United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Practice Experience Recognition & Accolades Publications & Speeches Community Involvement Client Results Attorney News

Representative matters include:

  • Defended Tuft & Needle against Mattress Firm in a trademark dilution lawsuit filed in Texas federal court.
  • Represented a media personality and skin care company involving claims for false endorsement, trademark dilution, and false advertising.
  • Defended a media personality and media production company in a unfair competition and false advertising lawsuit filed in New York federal court.
  • Defending a media personality and three media companies in a class action consumer protection lawsuit filed in California federal court.
  • The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Media Law, 2023
  • “Top 40 Under 40” List, The National Black Lawyers, 2019
  • Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, 2018
  • Co-Author, “Race, Diversity, Inclusion, and the Media Bar: Will the National Conversation on Race, Diversity, and Inclusion Bring About Meaningful, Lasting Change Within Our Bar?” ABA Forum on Communications Law’s Communications Lawyer, Fall 2020, Vol. 36, No. 1 Issue (January 2021)
  • Panelist, “Texas Market: Is Everything Bigger in Texas? Trends That Are Reshaping the Legal Industry,” Georgetown Texas Club (October 2020)
  • Harris County Attorney’s Office – Christian D. Menefee’s Organizational Advisory Committee, Member, 2020-2021
  • Yellowstone Schools (Yellowstone Academy and Yellowstone College Prep), Board Member, 2020-Present
  • OneGoal, Young Advisory Board Member, 2015-Present
  • One Night, Co-Founder, 2015-Present
  • UT School of Law Houston Young Alumni Steering Committee, 2014-Present
  • UT School of Law Diversity Recruiting Committee, Chair, 2012-Present
  • Houston City Councilman Dwight Boykins’ Generation Next Council, Member, Economic Development Team, 2015
Jackson Walker Obtains Dismissal in Class Action Suit Regarding Dr. Oz Weight Loss Supplement Shows

December 18, 2020

More Client Results

August 18, 2022

Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.

JW Media Group VIA eNewsletter

February 10, 2021

Newsletters

JW Media | VIA ePostcard – February 2021

Featuring insights on January 6/8 and the dangers journalists face; diversity, inclusion, and the media bar; recent client results and Firm highlights.

James McFall, Trey McDonald, and Miguel Ortiz

January 22, 2021

Insights

Race, Diversity, Inclusion, and the Media Bar: Will the National Conversation on Race, Diversity, and Inclusion Bring About Meaningful, Lasting Change Within Our Bar? | ABA Communications Lawyer

By James Carlos McFall, Trey McDonald, and Miguel Ortiz

The year 2020 will not easily be forgotten. We were confronted with a global pandemic that forced us to alter the way we work and interact with friends and loved ones, and we survived one of the most contentious presidential campaigns in U.S. history.

Chip Babcock, John Edwards, and Trey McDonald with Jackson Walker logo

December 18, 2020

Client Results

Jackson Walker Obtains Dismissal in Class Action Suit Regarding Dr. Oz Weight Loss Supplement Shows

A Jackson Walker team led by Houston partners Chip Babcock, John Edwards, and Trey McDonald obtained a complete dismissal of a high-stakes 2016 class action suit filed against clients Dr. Mehmet Oz, his production company ZoCo Productions, Harpo Productions, and Sony Pictures Television.

JW Media Group VIA eNewsletter

October 30, 2020

Newsletters

JW Media | VIA ePostcard – October 2020

Featuring “US Supreme Court Grabs Attention of Tech Giants as Past Immunity Granted by Section 230 Is Called Into Question,” “Establishment of Press Council Marks Milestone in Reform Process,” “The First Amendment Is the Soul of Our Democracy,” “Here We Are Now, Entertain Us,” and Firm-related news and highlights.

United States Supreme Court building with Jackson Walker logo

October 30, 2020

Insights

US Supreme Court Grabs Attention of Tech Giants as Past Immunity Granted by Section 230 Is Called Into Question

By Trey McDonald | A recent Supreme Court decision garnered attention from tech companies as Justice Thomas welcomed the Court to consider whether the text of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act “aligns with the current state of immunity enjoyed by Internet platforms.”

Trey McDonald and James McFall

October 14, 2020

Speaking Engagements

Georgetown Texas Club Invites Trey McDonald and James McFall to Discuss Texas Legal Market

On October 15, Trey McDonald and James Carlos McFall join Georgetown Texas Club for a discussion on the current opportunities in the Texas legal market and trends that are reshaping the legal industry.

JW Diversity & Inclusion

October 2, 2020

Newsletters

JW Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter – October 2020

View Jackson Walker’s October 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter, Perspectives.

Skyline of the city of Houston

March 25, 2020

Insights

Harris County Ordered to “Stay Home, Work Safe” to Reduce COVID-19 Exposure

On March 24, 2020, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a “Stay Home, Work Safe” order in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 3, unless extended.

New Partners Class of 2020

February 10, 2020

Attorney News

Jackson Walker Elects 11 Attorneys to Partnership

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the election of 11 attorneys to partnership on Friday, February 7, 2020.

More Attorney News

Practice Experience

Representative matters include:

  • Defended Tuft & Needle against Mattress Firm in a trademark dilution lawsuit filed in Texas federal court.
  • Represented a media personality and skin care company involving claims for false endorsement, trademark dilution, and false advertising.
  • Defended a media personality and media production company in a unfair competition and false advertising lawsuit filed in New York federal court.
  • Defending a media personality and three media companies in a class action consumer protection lawsuit filed in California federal court.

Recognition & Accolades

  • The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Media Law, 2023
  • “Top 40 Under 40” List, The National Black Lawyers, 2019
  • Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, 2018

Publications & Speeches

  • Co-Author, “Race, Diversity, Inclusion, and the Media Bar: Will the National Conversation on Race, Diversity, and Inclusion Bring About Meaningful, Lasting Change Within Our Bar?” ABA Forum on Communications Law’s Communications Lawyer, Fall 2020, Vol. 36, No. 1 Issue (January 2021)
  • Panelist, “Texas Market: Is Everything Bigger in Texas? Trends That Are Reshaping the Legal Industry,” Georgetown Texas Club (October 2020)

Community Involvement

  • Harris County Attorney’s Office – Christian D. Menefee’s Organizational Advisory Committee, Member, 2020-2021
  • Yellowstone Schools (Yellowstone Academy and Yellowstone College Prep), Board Member, 2020-Present
  • OneGoal, Young Advisory Board Member, 2015-Present
  • One Night, Co-Founder, 2015-Present
  • UT School of Law Houston Young Alumni Steering Committee, 2014-Present
  • UT School of Law Diversity Recruiting Committee, Chair, 2012-Present
  • Houston City Councilman Dwight Boykins’ Generation Next Council, Member, Economic Development Team, 2015

Practice Areas

  • Trial & Appellate Litigation

Experience

  • Digital
  • Entertainment Litigation
  • Entertainment Transactions
  • Entertainment, Digital, & Sports
  • Media
  • Media Litigation
  • Sports
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