Michael C. Donaldson is an ex-Marine. As a 1st Lieutenant, he was selected to be Officer-In-Charge of the first Marine ground combat unit in Vietnam. He went on to earn his law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall) where he was student body president. He raised his three lovely daughters (Michelle, Amy, and Wendy) as a single parent and is now the proud grandfather of two healthy and happy grandsons (Soul and Caden). He is an avid skier, worldwide hiker, and award-wining photographer. He competed in the Senior Olympics in Gymnastics, winning gold medals for the parallel bars in 1996, 1997, and 1998 and a silver metal for rings in 1998. In his successful entertainment law practice, Michael represents writers, directors, and producers.

He was co-chairman of the Entertainment Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association and is listed in Who's Who of American Law. His book Clearance and Copyright is used in 50 film schools across the country. Michael travels extensively to universities, annual meetings, and corporate headquarters throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe to lead workshops on the topic of negotiating. His expertise, developed over a lifetime of experience and learning, makes him a highly sought-after speaker. Michael's expansive knowledge of negotiating coupled with his energetic and engaging style delivers powerful results to each seminar attendee.