Donovan McKendrick's Schools

• University of San Francisco , Class of 2010 JD in Business Administration and Law Best Oral Argument, Moot Court 2008

Donovan McKendrick's Publications

• Phi Alpha Delta (PAD), Donovan McKendrick August, 2010 A student at the University of San Francisco School of Law, Mr. Donovan McKendrick holds a membership of the Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) international co-education law fraternity. PAD claims more than 270,000 members, joining students, lawyers, judges, senators, and other legal professionals. The fraternity was established in 1902 in order to inspire a commitment to scholarship and promote the ideals of liberty and equal justice among lawyers. Since its inception, PAD has maintained a commitment to promote the best among American lawyers, joining students and professionals of all races, religions, and genders. Today, the fraternity is the largest of its kind in the world, and a fifth of federal judges and a third of state judges are estimated to belong to PAD. Past associates of the Phi Alpha Delta fraternity include United States Presidents William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Harry S. Truman, Jimmy Carter, and Bill Clinton. A number of United States Supreme Court Justices have also been PAD members, such as Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr. and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, both of whom continue to serve on the bench. Among the many benefits of membership is the Biennial Convention, an important meeting of today’s brightest legal minds. PAD also organizes an annual mock trial competition, an annual pre-law conference, and multiple international events, such as leadership symposia and an annual PAD Day at the Supreme Court. The fraternity publishes The Reporter, a magazine that keeps all PAD associates informed about new scholarship affecting the legal profession, as well as important legal advancements.

• Brazilian Jiujitsu, Donovan McKendrick April, 2011 An adept athlete noted for his talents in Hapkido martial arts, rock climbing, and soccer, Donovan McKendrick of San Francisco recently began training in the Gracie style of Brazilian jiujitsu. As a student of Brazilian jiujitsu, Donovan McKendrick accustoms both his body and his mind to the intense endurance and intricate holds needed to master the combat sport. Brazilian jiujitsu emphasizes the use of chokeholds, joint locks, and similar submission grappling moves. The primarily goal of a jiujitsu fighter is to bring his or her attacker to the ground, where any number of maneuvers and countermaneuvers are applied to grapple the opponent into submission. Unlike other forms of martial arts, Brazilian jiujitsu stresses groundwork, while attacks like striking are deemphasized. Because of this, the size and strength of one competitor compared to the other matters little, and the outcome depends more on the application of holds and grapples. Upon taking an opponent to the floor, the next objective of a Brazilian jiujitsu fighter is to achieve a dominant position, ranging from side control, back mount, or full mount positions. Guard positions like the rubber and spider guards allow opponents on the bottom to use their legs and feet to prevent the top attacker from gaining a dominant stance. In matches, a competitor signals his or her defeat using verbal cues or by tapping out. The Gracie style originated from Carlos Gracie, considered an early founder of the sport. Jiujitsu derives from Japanese judo, which Gracie learned from Mitsuyo Maeda, a judo expert and world competitor. Mitsuyo Maeda, nicknamed Count Combat, pioneered Brazilian jiujitsu while living in Brazil, passing it on to his young student, Carlos Gracie, who in turn modified the fighting technique to envelop aspects of street fighting and boxing. Gracie eventually taught the sport to his four younger brothers and his sons, many of whom went on to become dominant forces in the martial arts world.

• Donovan McKendrick’s Tips for Prospective Landlords, Donovan McKendrick May, 2011 Donovan McKendrick, the owner of American Homes Realty & DMcK Properties, provides advice to individuals thinking about becoming landlords. Tip 1: Understand your legal rights and responsibilities Local, state, and federal laws govern the obligations landlords have to tenants and vice versa. Before you start renting out a property, you will need to acquire any required certifications and become familiar with your area’s laws. For instance, you must understand the circumstances under which you can reject a prospective tenant. If you turn someone away on the basis of a condition prohibited by the Fair Housing Act, you could be held accountable in court. An understanding of rental laws will also help you draft an appropriate lease for the property. Tip 2: Conduct due diligence on prospective tenants At the least, you will want to assess potential renters’ incomes and reliability. Ask for all documentation to which you are entitled under the law, such as a credit report and verification of employment. Discuss all items in the credit report with the prospective tenant and make sure the potential renter offers good explanations for any irregularities. In addition, contact references and employers to verify the individual behaves in a reliable way and possesses the means to pay rent on time. Tip 3: Get your support staff in place ahead of time Do not wait for the plumbing to start leaking before engaging a professional. Similarly, you should have service arrangements in place with electricians, general handymen, landscapers (if necessary), an accountant, and a property lawyer. This network will prevent you from inadvertently creating a liability for yourself, or from entering into disadvantageous rental agreements. Tip 4: Ensure you have emergency funds to deal with unforeseen situations For several reasons, you should have sufficient funds set aside to pay for at least six months of mortgage payments on your property with no tenants. First, you may not be able to rent the unit as quickly as you would like; during this time, you will need to cover all costs. Secondly, as a landlord, you may face unexpected repairs at some point. Finally, you may end up in a legal dispute with a difficult or delinquent tenant. Even if you are entirely in the right, you may incur legal fees and a loss of rental income while the courts or your attorney sort out the case.

Donovan McKendrick's Links