Founding Partner
Kenton E. McDonald
Board Certified in Tax Law Since 1983 | Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Overview And Experience

Mr. McDonald believes strongly that the key to success in any profession lies in perfecting the craft, and credits his success to the mentors who helped him develop and refine his skills.
He is active on the Planning Committee, and has formerly served as the Chair of the University of Texas School of Law Tax Conference. Kenton has formally served as a Trustee and past President of the Una Chapman Cox Foundation benefitting the U.S. Foreign Service. Notably, Mr. McDonald is the recipient of a Commissioner’s Award from the Internal Revenue Service, a Member of the American Law Institute, and is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He has been listed among the Best Lawyers in America in both Tax Law and Tax Controversy for 28 years and is included in Marquis Top (100) Lawyers in America.
Experience Makes the Difference
From childhood, Mr. McDonald had the ambition to be a lawyer. On the advice of his father, he pursued an education at Southern Methodist University, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Business Administration with Highest Honors in accounting, a foundation that later helped him concentrate his practice on tax law. Mr. McDonald subsequently earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University in 1977 where he served as Editor of the Southwestern Law Journal.
From 1977 to 2018 Mr. McDonald practiced law as an associate and later a partner at Matthews & Branscomb, PC (or its predecessor and successor law firms), in Corpus Christi where he has participated in a meaningful way in some of the most significant business transactions on behalf of some of the most important privately-held businesses in Texas. He has made important contributions to his community having served pivotal roles as Board Chair of both Corpus Christi Broadcasting Stations and the Art Museum of South Texas. He became Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1983 and served as the Assistant to the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service from 1987 to 1989. In 2018 Mr. McDonald left his former firm and continues his practice at McDonald & Adkins, LLP in Corpus Christi.
J.D. Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas
1977
- Member, Board of Editors, Southwestern Law Journal. Texas Society of CPA Graduate Fellowship.
B.B.A. (Accounting) with highest honors, Southern Methodist University | Dallas, Texas
1974
- Completed four-year degree in two years. Recipient: Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key, Phi Eta Sigma Award to Outstanding Senior Man. Beta Gamma Sigma, Beta Alpha Psi.
McDonald & Adkins, LLP , Corpus Christi, Texas
2021 – Present
- Kenton McDonald concentrates on solving federal tax planning problems that arise in business transactions, and on advising clients in matters involving their interaction with the Internal Revenue Service, including their tax return reporting positions, in audits, and in appeals proceedings. He maintains a broad federal tax practice, including representation of closely held corporations and partnerships and individuals in planning for major transactions and in tax controversies.
Kenton Mcdonald Law, Corpus Christi, Texas
2018 – 2021
Shareholder, Branscomb | P.C., Corpus Christi, Texas
1989- 2018
- Broad federal tax practice, including representation of closely held corporations and partnerships and individuals in planning for major transactions and in tax controversies.
Assistant to the Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C.
1987 – 1989
- Appointed by Lawrence B. Gibbs, Commissioner of IRS, to serve as his personal representative in developing regulations and other guidance under Tax Reform Act (TRA) of 1986 in areas dealing with partnerships, corporations, passive losses, estate and gift, and natural resource taxation, and special projects. Co-principal technical instructor on TRA 1986 course for all senior executives of IRS. Recipient: Commissioner’s Award for Distinguished Service to IRS.
Associate and Partner, Matthews & Branscomb, P.C., Corpus Christi, Texas
1977 – 1987
Current Activities
American Bar Foundation
Life Fellow 2017 –
American College of Tax Counsel
Fellow 2000 –
American Law Institute
Member 2008 –
IRS Service Centers and Taxpayer Service, Committee on Administrative Practice, American Bar Association Taxation Section.
Chair, Subcommittee, 1992-1998
1977 – 1987
University of Texas School of Law, Annual Conference on Taxation
Member, Planning Committee 1996 –
Chair, 2000 – 2001 Speaker 2017
Woodward & White’s Best Lawyers in America, Tax Law and Tax Controversy
Best Lawyers 1994 –
Past Activities
AICPA/ABA Invitational Conference on Reduction of Income Tax Complexity
Participant, 1990
AICPA/ABA Invitational Conference on Tax Compliance (Reston II)
Participant, 1988
American Bar Association Taxation Section On Natural Resources
Committee Chair, 1997-1999
Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA)
Member, Tax Committee, 1983-1987
Committee on Natural Resources Taxation, State Bar of Texas Taxation Section
Chair, Committee, 1984-1986
Subchapter S Banking Association and Independent Bankers Association of Texas Attorney’s Council.
Member and lecturer, 1991
Participated in an effort to enact legislation expanding Subchapter S to closely-held banks. Coauthor of and legislative witness on Texas Limited Banking Association (LLC) Statute.
University of Texas School of Law, Parker Fielder Biannual Conference on Oil and Gas Taxation.
Member, Planning Committee, 1996-2018
Conferences on taxation sponsored by ABA, AICPA, University of Texas, State Bar of Texas, Texas Society of CPAs, Prentice-Hall Law and Business, and others
Lecturer, Frequent
World Affairs Council of America (WACA)
Member, (national) Board of Directors, 2007-2009
CorpusBeat (a public charity supporting serious journalism involving local high school and college students)
Member, Board of Directors, 2005-2007
American Law Institute
Member 2008 –
Future USA (private) Foundation (supporting civic and educational endeavors)
Chair, Subcommittee, 1992-1998
Member, Board of Directors, 2004-
Art Museum of South Texas
Trustee (1995-2010)
Chair, Board of Governors (2 terms) (2003-2005)
Una Chapman Cox Foundation for the benefit of the United States Foreign Service (U.S. State Department)
Trustee (1992-2007)
President (2007)
Corpus Christi Evening Rotary
Member (2022-present)
Corpus Christi Symphony Board of Directors
Member, Executive Committee, 1997-2003
Temple Beth-El, Corpus Christi
Board of Directors (Treasurer), 1997-1999
KEDT-TV, FM (Corpus Christi PBS)
Chair, Board of Directors, 1992-1994
Ada Wilson Children’s Hospital
Member, Board of Directors, 1990-1997
Corpus Christi YMCA
Member, Board of Directors (Treasurer), 1979-1986
Kenton E. McDonald has received high honors from Best Lawyers®. Mr. McDonald has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 1993 for Tax Law and since 2011 for Litigation and Controversy – Tax. Best Lawyers’ methodology is designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area. Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Recognition by Best Lawyers is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor. Since 1983, Best Lawyers® has been universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.
McDonald & Adkins, LLP has been recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”. McDonald & Adkins, LLP earned this prestigious ranking for its professional excellence and expertise in the practice areas of Tax Law in the 2022 Edition of “Best Law Firms.” The “Best Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field and review of information provided by law firms through a formal submission process.



Kenton McDonald has been Inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry.
the key to success
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