Doug Easton, the founder of the Law Offices of W. Douglas Easton, has practiced law since 1971.  In these many years of experience, Doug has often been recognized by his colleagues and peers for his service and the skillful advocacy that he provides on behalf of his clients.    

     In 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, Doug was listed among the Best Lawyers in America.  The Best Lawyers in America is a preeminent referral guide to the legal profession in the United States.  Best Lawyers list attorneys who have been nominated and voted on by their peers. Lawyers cannot buy their way onto this list.  They must earn a spot through exemplary legal work that attracts the notice of their colleagues. To remain on the list, they must remain at the top of their game, year after year.   

     Doug was also featured in the Los Angeles Times Magazine in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 as one of Southern California’s “Best Lawyers.” 

    In 2009 and 2010, Doug was proudly named as one of the “Super Lawyers” in Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine, a Publication of Law and Politics.  The only way a lawyer can be recognized in Super Lawyers Magazine is through a selection process involving a multi-step evaluation that incorporates peer recognition and professional achievement. 

     In addition, Doug is listed in Straithmore’s Who’s Who, and in 2008 was named its “Professional of the Year” in Medical Malpractice.

   For over 25 years, Doug has had an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious peer rating service.  These ratings are the result of confidential questionnaires sent to other practicing attorneys and members of the judiciary.  The “A” rating is “the highest legal ability rating,” while  the “V” signifies “very high adherence to professional standards of conduct, ethics, reliability, and diligence.”  Only about 5% of the attorneys in America have an “AV” rating.

    Doug and the firm are also proudly listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers, a listing of the legal community’s most highly regarded professionals.

    Over his career, Doug has represented thousands of people in personal injury claims who have sustained all manner of injuries in all types of accidents through the negligence or wrongdoing by other individuals, businesses, or governmental entities.  During that time, Doug has obtained vast experience, wisdom, and judgment in settling and trying personal injury matters.  Doug particularly enjoys handling and trying medical malpractice cases due to the increased difficulty and challenges these cases present.

   Doug spent the first 6 years of his practice as an attorney working for insurance companies defending negligent persons and companies and learning how insurance companies defend, diminish, and defeat valid personal injury claims.  If you know their tricks, stratagems, and defenses, you can usually defeat them with proper preparation.  In over 38 years of experience on both sides of the personal injury practice, Doug has learned their tricks, stratagems, and defenses.  For the past 32 years Doug has battled against the insurance industry to obtain fair and adequate compensation for people who have been injured through the negligence or fault of individuals, businesses, or governmental entities. 

     Doug received his B.A. degree cum laude from Brigham Young University in 1967 and his law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall) in 1970, which at the time was one of the top five rated law schools in the Nation.  Doug has been admitted to practice law in California since January 1971. 

     In addition, Doug is admitted to practice before the Ninth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals and the United States Federal District Courts for the Central, Northern, and the Southern districts of California.  He has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the California Supreme Court, and various Appellate Courts of the state of California.  Doug has tried cases in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Imperial, and Alameda counties in California.  He has also represented clients in most other California counties.

     Doug has served as an Orange County Superior Court Temporary Judge and as an arbitrator and settlement judge for the Orange County Superior Courts. Doug is a member of the California Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Orange County Bar Association, and the J. Ruben Clark Law Society. 

    Doug belongs to numerous trial advocacy organizations including the Consumer Attorneys of California, the American Association for Justice, the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, and the Orange County Trial Lawyers Association.  Doug has served as a lecturer on trial advocacy skills on several occasions for California Continuing Education of the Bar. 

     Doug and his wife Rae have seven children. His oldest son, Brian, and his second youngest son, Matt, and his son-in-law, Russ, all work as attorneys for the firm.  In addition, Doug’s daughters, Dee and Kristy, have each worked for the firm at different times throughout their lives and his wife Rae is currently the Office Manager. This familial nature within the firm gives common purpose and success to the firm.  Doug is especially proud that all five of his sons are Eagle Scouts.

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