Donald J. Baranski received his Bachelor of Arts in Humanities Pre Law, from Michigan State University. This was a triple major of American History, Philosophy, and Psychology. He then received a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Michigan State University. He then obtained his Doctorate in Law from Michigan State University College of Law. Baranski has been a licensed Attorney and Counselor at Law in the State of Michigan since 1988. He clerked for a trial judge for two years. He worked as a City Attorney, and as a public defender. Baranski has handled a general practice of law including: family law, criminal law, juvenile law, adoptions, contracts, real estate, landlord/tenant, probate estates, wills & trusts, guardianships and conservatorships, mental health law, social security disability, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, education law, collections and bankruptcy. Baranski has conducted jury trials and bench trials in District, Probate and Circuit Courts. Baranski is also admitted to the Western District of Michigan and Eastern District of Michigan Federal Courts.

Don was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan and graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1989. He attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan and graduated with a BA in Psychology/Sociology in 1993. In 1994, Don went to work as a child abuse investigator with the Michigan Department of Social Services, where he assisted hundreds of abused and neglected children and their families. In 2000, Don was promoted to management, making him the youngest Children's Protective Services Supervisor in Michigan at that time. In 2002, Don graduated magna cum laude and earned his juris doctorate degree from Michigan State University - Detroit College of Law in East Lansing, Michigan. In 2006, he went to work with the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office, where he prosecuted felonies and misdemeanors in district and circuit courts. He also handled mental health commitment hearings in the Kalamazoo County Probate Court and the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. When out of the office, Don enjoys spending time with his wife, Mindie, and two children. Don is a coach for his children's soccer, basketball and baseball teams and is a Sunday School teacher at Haven Church in Kalamazoo. Don is also involved in the Kalamazoo County Bar Association as the co-chair of the Young Lawyer's Section. He also enjoys working out and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.