WALTHAM, Mass. – March 29, 2012 – The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR) today announced that it has promoted MAR Associate General Counsel Michael McDonagh to MAR General Counsel and Government Affairs Director. McDonagh, who has been at MAR for 11 years replaces long time MAR General Counsel and Government Affairs Director Stephen Ryan who left MAR to become executive director of the New England Convenience Store Association.

 
 “Michael McDonagh not only has a tremendous understanding of both the government affairs and legal issues facing the Association and the industry, but has also developed a great relationship with the membership over the years,” said MAR Chief Executive Officer Robert Authier.
 

In his position as general counsel, McDonagh is the staff person responsible for overseeing MAR’s legal affairs and risk management programs for the membership. As government affairs director he is in charge of MAR’s legislative efforts.  This includes analyzing and testifying on legislative and regulatory issues on behalf of the Association. 
 

McDonagh has been with MAR since 2001.  Prior to being promoted to his new position, he was associate general counsel and primary staff person responsible for managing the MAR Legal Hotline. Other roles at MAR included serving as the legal and legislative affairs coordinator where he worked on grassroots efforts for both state and federal issues affecting the real estate industry. Prior to that, he served as the legal assistant working to support MAR’s legal and government affairs efforts

 
McDonagh is a graduate of Providence College and the New England School of Law where he served as an editor of the New England Law Review. He has also received his REALTOR® Certified Executive (RCE) designation for REALTOR® association management. He lives in Easton with his wife and two children.
 

About the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®:
Organized in 1924, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade organization with more than 18,000 members.  The term REALTOR® is registered as the exclusive designation of members of the National Association of REALTORS® who subscribe to a strict code of ethics and enjoy continuing education programs.