After 20 years on the bench, Chief Judge David P. McDonald, of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, retired on his 65th birthday, January 10, 2003.

Judge McDonald grew up in St. Louis where he attended Beaumont High School. He received both his undergraduate degree and his law degree from Washington University. After graduating from law school in 1962, he served as an Army artillery officer in Germany for two years. He then returned to St. Louis and went to work for the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office, where he later served as Chief Trial Attorney.

After his time with the Circuit Attorney's Office, Judge McDonald went into private practice. He followed that by serving as an Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration in St. Louis from 1975 to 1979. He continued his work as an Administrative Law Judge at the National Labor Relations Board in San Francisco, California, until his appointment in 1982 to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis.

Some notable cases over which Judge McDonald has presided include the bankruptcies of the St. Louis Globe Democrat, Wisconsin Barge Lines, Stephanie and Malcolm Cheek, Air One, Inc., and Bridge Information Systems.

At a reception in his honor, Judge McDonald reflected on how bankruptcy has changed over the years, most notably, the increase in the number of cases. When he first joined the three member court, there were between 2,500 and 3,000 cases filed each year. Although the case filings increased last year to more than 18,000 cases, there are still only three judges. The increase in the clerk's staff as well as the addition of computer technology has helped the Court manage the workload.

Judge McDonald has accepted a recall appointment for one year and a day. He will continue to work full-time as a recalled judge until his successor is sworn in. Thereafter he will serve as a recalled judge with a reduced docket. Best wishes, Judge McDonald!

James J. Barta succeeded Judge McDonald as Chief Bankruptcy Judge January 11, 2003.