Our Team
Stanley W. MacDonald, K.C.
Stan MacDonald is a trial and appellate lawyer with over 35 years of experience. Stan practices exclusively in the areas of criminal law and regulated professions. He has represented clients at all levels of court in Nova Scotia, various other provinces of Canada and in the Supreme Court of Canada.
Stan was recently inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was also named Best Lawyers™ in Canada 2021 Criminal Defence “Lawyer of the Year” in Halifax.
Activities and Affiliation:
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Supreme Court Advocacy Institute
The Advocate’s Society
Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association (past President)
Appointed as Queen’s Counsel in 2006
Former Associate Professor at Dalhousie Law School
Education:
Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Francis Xavier University – 1984
Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie Law School – 1987
Direct Line: 902-706-4534
Email: smacdonald@smassociates.ca
Matthew R. Kennedy
Matt is an experienced trial lawyer focused on criminal defence.
He graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2013. After articling with the Public Prosecution Service of Newfoundland, Matt worked as a Crown Attorney in Nova Scotia for seven years and prosecuted charges in all areas of the criminal law.
After joining the defence bar in 2021, Matt carried on a busy practice as a staff lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid for nearly two years – defending clients at Provincial and Supreme Court.
He has presented talks to lawyers and investigators on criminal procedure and evidence. He is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association.
Direct Line: 902-706-4535
Email: mkennedy@smassociates.ca
J. Allan F. MacDonald
Allan is a trial lawyer committed to providing zealous legal representation to his clients. He has represented clients at all levels of court throughout Nova Scotia.
Allan was born and raised in Halifax. He graduated from the Schulich School of Law in 2019, where he was the recipient of the 2018 Milton and Carole Ehrlich Prize. Previously, he completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, graduating in 2015.
Allan is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2020.
Direct Line: 902-706-4536
Email: amacdonald@smassociates.ca
Steve M. Degen
Steve is a trial lawyer who has worked in criminal law since being called to the Bar in 2011.
He graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 2010 and subsequently articled in Newfoundland and Labrador where he worked at a small law firm until 2013. In 2013 Steve moved to
Alberta to work as a Crown Attorney at the busy rural office of Wetaskiwin, covering many Court locations throughout central Alberta.
In 2017 Steve returned home to continue working as a Crown Attorney for the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service, working in both Dartmouth and Halifax until 2023 when he joined Stan MacDonald & Associates. He has worked in all areas of criminal law and has had many complex and serious matters throughout his career, including carriage of over a dozen murder prosecutions.
While in Wetaskiwin, Steve was elected as the rural representative for the Alberta Crown Attorney’s Association, representing the interests of all prosecutors outside of Calgary and Edmonton. He similarly acted as the Dartmouth representative of the Nova Scotia Crown Attorney’s Association. He is a part-time faculty member of Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law, teaching a course about the practice of criminal law entitled the Criminal Clinic. He is also a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society and the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association.
Direct Line: 902-706-4537
Email: sdegen@smassociates.ca
Jack A. F. MacDonald
Jack is a trial lawyer who represents individuals and corporations at all levels of court throughout Nova Scotia.
He graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston with a Bachelor of Arts in History, where he ranked on the Dean’s Honour List. In 2019, he graduated from the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. While in law school, Jack was a member of the Dalhousie Student Advocacy Service and spent his final semester working for the Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service through the Dalhousie Criminal Law Clinic.
Jack is a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, the Canadian Bar Association, and the Nova Scotia Criminal Lawyers Association. He was called to the Nova Scotia Bar in 2020.
Email: jmacdonald@smassociates.ca