Judge MacDonald has been a judge with the 35th District Court since January 1985. Currently serving as the Chief Judge of the Court, he is also Chairman of the Chief Judges' Association of Wayne County.

In 1996, Judge MacDonald was a leader in developing the pilot program between the 35th District Court and the Wayne County Probate Court that has allowed the 35th District Court to handle the disposition of certain juvenile case matters. The program is now into at least four other District Courts and is now known as Juvenile Court in the District Court (JCDC).

After a fire in July 1997, in which the 35th District Court's courthouse was entirely destroyed, Judge MacDonald was instrumental in the construction of the current 35th District Court building, which opened in July of 2000. In addition to his normal responsibilities as judge, it was necessary for him to work closely with officials from the five communities served by the courts and with the building trades.

After undergraduate work at the University of Michigan, Judge MacDonald received his law degree from Wayne State University. Thereafter, he served as Supervisor of Northville Township, and on the Northville Township Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Water and Sewer Board. Judge MacDonald is a member of the American Bar Association, Michigan District Judges Association, and the Michigan Bar Association. He is a past president of both the Wayne County District Judges Association and the Suburban Bar Association.

Throughout his years on the bench, Judge MacDonald has remained active in his church and is an Elder at Ward Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Northville.