Michael J. Donahue, Partner Contact Michael J. Donahue Practice Areas: Business Law Municipal Law Real Estate Development Law Since starting the predecessor firm to Donahue, Tucker & Ciandella, PLLC with Charlie Tucker in 1985, Mike's practice has focused on land use and development, representing both applicants and municipalities. Mike grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire, and graduated cum laude in the honors program from Holy Cross College in 1970. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1973. After being admitted to the New Hampshire Bar, he served on active duty with the U. S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps in Long Beach, California where he gained valuable court room experience prosecuting and defending courts martial, and in Boston, Massachusetts where he was the legal counsel for the First Naval District, responsible for all naval activities in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.  Mike returned to New Hampshire in 1977 and associated with the Exeter general practice law firm that became Kearns, Colliander & Donahue when he became a partner in 1980. Mike successfully represented the Town of Epping in Cloutier v. Epping, a federal court litigation which defined the limited role of federal intervention in local land use decisions. Subsequently, Mike has developed an expertise in environmental matters, representing landowners, businesses and municipalities in EPA Superfund proceedings and recently in Brownfields redevelopment projects. Mike's current practice revolves around obtaining land use approvals on behalf of local and regional developers and advising municipalities in responding to the pressures of development. Mike is well known to local land use officials in the Seacoast area and has their respect and confidence. Because of his broad experience in litigation and business matters, Mike also often serves as a senior counselor to other lawyers in the firm and their clients. In recognition of his extensive experience and performance, Mike was selected as a Fellow of the New Hampshire Bar Foundation, has been designated as a certified neutral for the New Hampshire Superior Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, and holds an AV (the highest) Martindale-Hubbell rating as determined by his peers in the New Hampshire legal community. He has served as a Director of the Municipal Law Section of the New Hampshire Bar and is also a member of the Environmental Law Section, and the New Hampshire Title Association. Mike's history of community service together with that of Charlie Tucker sets the tone for the firm's commitment. Mike continued as a drilling Navy Reservist, retiring as a Captain after 28 years of service, including selection to command two New England JAG units. He served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Seacoast United Way for six years, twice receiving the Presidential Service Award. Mike's lifelong interest in history lead to a six year stint on the Board of Trustees and as Vice President and Secretary of Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Mike currently is on the Board of Directors of the Exeter Chamber of Commerce and serves as legal counsel for the NH Seacoast unit of Habitat for Humanity. Mike has served on the Little Boar's Head Village District Zoning Board of Adjustment and local school committees in North Hampton where he resides with his wife, Diane, a supervisory social worker coordinator for Head Start, and daughter Kerry, a graduate in the Class of 2007 at the College of the Holy Cross who is currently serving with Teach for America in North Carolina.  Their older daughter Sarah, a 2003 graduate of Stonehill College works at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, and resides in Brighton, Massachusetts.