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Overview
For over 30 years, Doug has dedicated his practice to finding solutions for his clients in complex business cases including corporate and partnership disputes, trade secret litigation, real estate disputes, and breach of contract lawsuits. He also defends media companies in First Amendment matters and has an active appellate practice. In addition, Doug has a substantial bankruptcy practice, representing companies, financial institutions, bankruptcy trustees and other creditors in bankruptcy court.
Doug previously served as the firm’s Managing Stockholder and was chair of the firm’s Business Litigation Department. Throughout his career, he has been recognized by Florida Super Lawyers (every year since 2018), named a “Top Lawyer” by Naples Illustrated magazine for his work in Business and Commercial Litigation, and been honored by Best Lawyers in America® (2023-2025). Doug has two children, Douglas (Jr.) and Christopher.
Professional And Civic Affiliations
Doug is active in the Southwest Florida community and serves on the Board of Directors for the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, and is a member of Lee County Bar Association‘s Executive Council. He is a graduate of Leadership Lee County and previously served two terms as Chairman of its Steering Committee. Over the years, Doug served three terms as president of the Lee County YMCA Board; chairman of the YMCA Youth Sustaining Funds Drive; member of the Early Learning Coalition and City of Palms Classic Board of Directors; co-chairman of the City of Palms Basketball Alumni Association; and president of the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium Board of Directors. He’s a former little league, basketball, and soccer coach.
Doug is also active in the Florida legal community as a member of the Southwest Florida Bankruptcy Professional Association and Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association. He is past president of the Federal Bar Association, Southwest Florida Chapter; former barrister in the Calusa Chapter of the America Inns of Court; and is a previous member of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee.
Representative Matters
- Represented the plaintiff in a complex commercial litigation matter along with my partner, Carlos Kelly. The case involved the breach of a long-term contract and claims by the defendant that our client materially breached the agreement. After a bench trial the judge immediately ruled from the bench and awarded our client over $6.2 million in damages. We have also filed a motion to assess attorney fees and costs against the defendant.