The University of Minnesota Alumni Association — a body that advocates for the University with the support of graduates —elected a new chair to its Board of Directors.

Daniel McDonald, a partner at the intellectual property law firm Merchant & Gould, assumed his new role on July 1, becoming the 80th Alumni Association chair in the organization’s 112-year history.

McDonald received an electrical engineering degree from the University in 1982 and a law degree from the Law School in 1985.

“I’m honored to serve as the chair of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors,” McDonald said in a statement. “Our Alumni Association has ambitious goals to strengthen our relationships with alumni all over Minnesota and the world. While this will take much hard work and focus, the end goal will benefit alumni, the University and the state of Minnesota in many ways.”

Outgoing board chair Alison Page presented McDonald with the Association’s gavel on April 15 at the Alumni Association’s Annual Celebration.

Lisa Lewis, the association’s CEO and president, said McDonald’s experience and knowledge of the school will help to promote the association’s objectives.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Dan as the chair of our Board of Directors,” Lewis said. “Dan’s passion for the University, his expertise and broad knowledge of the University and the Alumni Association will benefit the organization greatly as we engage with over 466,000 alumni, inspire students and strengthen the University community.”

As an attorney for Merchant & Gould, McDonald was named Attorney of the Year 2015 by Minnesota Lawyer. A private law practitioner for 30 years, McDonald focuses on patent, copyright and trade secret litigation, with an emphasis on electronics, software and Internet issues.

McDonald also serves on the Advisory Board of the University’s Law School.