BACKGROUND AND FAMILY
Claiborne “Buddy “ McDonald IV, “Buddy” to his friends, is the son of Claiborne and Edith Rapp McDonald and the Grandson of Claiborne and Helen Camp McDonald and William and Margaret Lockhart Rapp. He is a native of Pearl River County.
Buddy is married to the former Suzy Stockstill and they have four children; Hugh C. McDonald, Neil Sullivan Angus McDonald, Emily Nowell and Erin Detillier. They have four grandsons Mason B. McDonald, Malcolm Claiborne McDonald, Teddy Nowell and Samuel Nowell. Buddy and Suzy are members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Picayune where Buddy serves on the Finance Council and Suzy serves on the Church’s School Board.
EDUCATION
Buddy graduated from the following schools:
Picayune Public Schools
Mississippi State University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science 1970
University of Alabama School of Law, Juris Doctorate 1973
Buddy attended the University of Southern Mississippi for Post Graduate Work in Criminal Justice
National College of District Attorneys Career Prosecutors Course, Experienced Prosecutors Course, Homicide Prosecutors Course and Numerous Others.
Buddy also served as an Instructor in the National College of District Attorneys training other Prosecutors from around the country.
ADMISSION TO LEGAL PRACTICE
Buddy is admitted to practice Law before:
The Mississippi Supreme Court
All the Chancery and Circuit Courts of Mississippi
The United States District Court For the Southern District of Mississippi
The United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
The Supreme Court of the United States of America
PROFESSIONAL WORK HISTORY
Buddy was in Private Practice in Pearl River County from 1973 to 1984 and from 2006 till 2016 and held the following positions and elected and appointed public offices
Municipal Judge City of Picayune
City Attorney Picayune, Mississippi
Elected County Prosecuting Attorney Pearl River County
Assistant District Attorney Fifteenth Circuit District of Mississippi
[Lamar, Pearl River, Marion, Jefferson Davis, and Lawrence Counties]
Twice Elected District Attorney Fifteenth Circuit District of Mississippi
[Lamar, Pearl River, Marion, Jefferson Davis, and Lawrence Counties]
Member McDonald, Patch & Bryan PLLC from 2007-2015
STATE AND LOCAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
Buddy has served as a member of the following Boards and Commissions:
Mississippi State Board of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
Mississippi Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules of Practice and Procedure
Mississippi Legislative Advisory Committee on Redrafting Mississippi Criminal Code
Mississippi Legislative Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice
Board of Directors Pearl River Valley Opportunity
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND OFFICES
Buddy has served as an officer of the following associations:
Commissioner of the Mississippi State Bar
State President Mississippi Prosecutors Association
Director of the National Board of Directors National District Attorneys Association
President Pearl River County Bar Association
Buddy is a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar
Past Member National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
CIVIC CLUBS AND OFFICES
Greater Area Picayune Chamber of Commerce - Past President and Director
Picayune Rotary Club - Past President, Director and Paul Harris Fellow
Director Picayune Main Street
Post Judge Advocate Picayune American Legion
Past Board Member “Puttin On The Pink” Breast Cancer Foundation
MILITARY SERVICE
Officer United States Army Reserve and National Guard
Graduate US Army Command and General Staff College
Branch Qualified: Transportation Corps, Quartermaster Corps, Judge Advocate General Corps
Honorably Discharged as a Captain
AWARDS
Robert M. Segal MD, Multidisciplinary Team Award 2001
Outstanding Young Man –Picayune Jaycees 1980
Elected Christian Official of the Year –Women in Ministry 2003
Mississippi Army National Guard Certificate of Appreciation
Above and Beyond Award – Employer Support of Guard and Reserve
Certificate of Appreciation –Pearl River County Friends of the NRA
Certificate of Appreciation – Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics - 1987