Doug Dodds

Doug serves as the firm’s Managing Partner. He has a wealth of experience in complex business litigation. He was previously chair of the firm’s Litigation Section. He has represented clients in lawsuits and claims involving legal malpractice, contract disputes, class actions, misappropriation of trade secrets, deceptive or fraudulent sales practices, antitrust, business torts and numerous other commercial disputes. Doug represents both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts in Texas. He has represented clients ranging from Fortune 100 Corporations, to some of the largest law firms in Texas, to individuals involved in business disputes.

Professional Liability Litigation 

Doug has spent the majority of his career representing lawyers and law firms in a variety of matters and venues.  He has represented lawyers in federal district courts, bankruptcy courts, state courts, before the State Bar of Texas and on private consultations regarding a variety of issues. He has defended lawyers in class actions, in claims brought by clients, and in claims brought by third parties.  He has also represented lawyers in efforts to collect payment of fees for legal services.

Doug's experience includes:

• Represented a large Dallas firm accused in a class action of conspiracy and aiding and abetting violations of The Texas Securities Act, fraud, and conversion in connection with work done for an investment advisory firm.
• Represented a large New York firm accused of committing fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and participation in a conspiracy to disguise insolvency in connection with work done for health care entities.
• Represented a large Austin firm accused of committing malpractice and breaching fiduciary duties in a commercial real estate transaction.
• Represented a large Austin firm accused of committing malpractice and breaching fiduciary duties in a lawsuit regarding estate taxes.
• Represented a large Austin firm accused of committing malpractice and breaching fiduciary duties in a bankruptcy matter.
• Represented a large national firm accused of committing malpractice and breaching fiduciary duties in a patent prosecution matter.
• Represented a large national firm accused of committing malpractice and breaching fiduciary duties in connecting with advice given regarding an international arbitration.
• Represented a large Austin firm accused of committing malpractice and breaching fiduciary duties in connection with representation of a medical partnership.
• Represented an Austin firm accused of committing malpractice in a trade secrets lawsuit.
• Represented a large Dallas firm accused of committing malpractice in a patent matter.
• Represented a large Austin firm accused of committing malpractice in a probate matter.
• Represented a large regional firm accused of committing malpractice and breaching fiduciary duties in connection with representation of a creditor.
• Represented a large regional firm accused of committing malpractice in connection with a family law matter.
• Represented a large regional firm accused of committing malpractice in connection with a premarital agreement.
• Represented a large Houston firm accused of committing malpractice and breaching fiduciary duties on a transactional matter for a technology company.
• Represented a large Austin firm accused of committing malpractice as local counsel on a litigation/regulatory matter.
• Represented a large Houston firm accused of fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy in connection with work done by the firm in a large foreclosure.
• Represented a large Austin firm accused of malpractice, breach of fiduciary duties, conspiracy and tortious interference with contract in connection with work done for a medical startup company.
• Representation of attorneys in grievance actions before the State Bar of Texas.

Insurance Litigation

Doug has represented numerous health insurance companies in disputes with the Texas Department of Insurance.  He has  also represented multiple insurance companies in class actions involving sales practices in claim disputes.

Financial Services

Doug represented an automobile lending company in a breach of contract case against a company that was expected to fund business operations, defended a national credit company against plaintiffs who sought a worldwide class involving lease agreements, represented home lenders in a purported, class actions and represented clients in matter involving automobile finance companies in a wide variety of matters.

News

• Chambers & Partners USA, Texas: Austin & Surrounds Litigation: General Commercial, Band 1 (2020-2021, 2024)
• Texas Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters service, Business Litigation (2005-2015, 2024)

• Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
• American Bar Association 
• State Bar of Texas
• Texas Bar  Foundation
• Austin Bar Association
• Greater Austin Crime Commission (Board of Directors)
• Headliners Club (Board of Trustees)
• Helping Hand Home for Children (Community Advisory Board, 2011-15) 
• Make a Wish of South Central and South Texas (Governing Board of Directors)