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Attorney Profiles

Douglas B. Dougherty 
Columbus, Ohio
Partner
phone 614-454-3179
866-920-1462
fax 614-798-1935
email Email Me

Attorney Douglas B. Dougherty ("Doug") has practiced law for approximately thirty years. He is certified as a specialist in Family Relations Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. His practice is limited to cases involving divorce, dissolution, and other family law matters.

Experience

Attorney Dougherty has argued and won in the Supreme Court of Ohio and in numerous Ohio courts of appeals. He has handled thousands of family law cases. He has successfully represented clients at trials and hearings in numerous counties throughout the State of Ohio.

Knowledge and Ethics

Doug's skills have been recognized by judges and other attorneys. In a private peer review survey, conducted by the nation's leading lawyer ranking organization (LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell), Doug received the highest possible ranking regarding his knowledge of the law and his legal ethics. He has also been named one of "Ohio's Top Lawyers" by Columbus CEO magazine and as a "Super Lawyer" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine.

Articles and Presentations

He has written articles and given presentations for the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the Columbus Legal Aid Society, and many other organizations. He is a frequent speaker at seminars for lawyers and non-lawyers. He has spoken and written on numerous family law topics. His articles and presentations are listed below.

Professional Leadership

Attorney Dougherty served as the Chairman for the Family Law Committee of the Columbus Bar Association. As the chairman, he was responsible for various lawyer education projects. He was recognized as the Columbus Bar Association's outstanding committee chairman and was given the President's Award for his "outstanding leadership" abilities.

Professional Organizations

Doug is a member of the American Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, and Columbus Bar Association.

Mediation Work

In addition to working as an attorney, Doug also works as a mediator. His mediation practice is limited to family law matters. As a mediator, he works with both parties to reach a quick and fair agreement and to avoid unnecessary expenses and litigation.

Expert Witness Work

Doug also works as an expert witness in legal malpractice cases involving family law matters. As an expert witness, Doug has worked for private parties and for a professional liability insurance company.

Charitable Work

Attorney Dougherty began his career as a legal aid attorney in Ohio. He has continued to help the less fortunate by volunteering his services to assist the Ohio Poverty Law Center, the Columbus Legal Aid Society, and various private organizations.

Media Appearances

He has appeared on various television and radio programs to discuss family law issues. He recently was a guest on the National Public Radio program "On Point." His topic was "The Revolution in Alimony and Spousal Support Law."

Supreme Court Video

To view a video of Attorney Dougherty arguing a case in the Supreme Court of Ohio, click here.

Personal Information

Doug is married and has two sons. He is a lifelong resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio. He enjoys reading and various sports including scuba diving and snow skiing.

Ancillary Businesses

Mediation – In matters involving divorce, dissolution, and other family law issues
Expert Witness – In matters involving divorce, dissolution, and other family law issues

Areas of Practice:
Divorce, Dissolution and Legal Separation
Property and Debt Division - Business Interests
Property and Debt Division - Professional Practices
Property and Debt Division - Complex Assets
Alimony and Spousal Support
High Income and Significant Assets
Custody, Visitation, Shared Parenting, and Child Support
Domestic Violence - Protection Orders
Domestic Torts - Money Damages
Premarital Planning and Premarital Agreements
Appeals and Objections
Litigation Percentage:
50% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Certification/Specialties:
Certified Specialist, Ohio Family Relations Law, Ohio State Bar Association, 2000


"AV" Peer Review Rating (Highest Rating Regarding Legal Knowledge), LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, 2005


Bar Admissions:
Ohio, 1980
U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1980
Education:
Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, Ada, Ohio, 1980
J.D.
Honors: Member, National Moot Court Team
Honors: Dean's List (Various Semesters)


The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 1977
B.A.
Honors: Member, National Debate Team; Dean's List (Various Quarters)
Honors: Dean's List (Various Quarters)
Major: Social Sciences


Published Works:
Fisher v. Hasenjager: The Evolution of Shared Parenting Jurisprudence in Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association, Advanced Family Law Seminar, 2008


Digging the "Dirt" in Divorce: Handling Real Property Issues in Divorce, Columbus Bar Association, Real Property Law Institute, 2007


Protecting Your Business in a Divorce, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2007


Handling Dissolutions in Franklin County, Columbus Legal Aid Society, 2006


Hope for the Best But Prepare for the Worst: Basic Rules Regarding the Use of Pre- Marital Agreements to Plan for Divorce, Columbus Bar Association, 2006


The New "Property:" Dealing With Social Security Retirement Benefits in Divorce Cases, Columbus Bar Association, 2004


Creeping Toward Rationality: Determining Child Support in High Income Cases, Columbus Bar Association, 2004


Almost as Despicable as the Act Itself: Dealing With False Allegations of Child Abuse in Custody Cases, Columbus Bar Association, 2002


Child Support: the Good, the Bad, and the Just Plain Weird, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, Office of Mediation Services, 2002


When "Shared" Isn't Shared: Determination of Child Support in Shared Parenting Cases, Columbus Bar Association, 2001


Protecting and Perfecting Your Family Law Case for Appeal, Ohio State Bar Association, Annual Convention, 2000


Valuation of Businesses in Divorce and Dissolution Cases, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, 1999


The Law of Parental Alienation in Ohio, Columbus Bar Association, 1999


Handling Appeals in Domestic Relations Cases, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, 1999


Now You See It - Now You Don't: Transmutation and Tracing of Separate Property, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, 1998


The Rich Are Different: Computation of Child Support in High Income Cases, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, 1996


Preparation of the Initial Complaint, Motions, and Responsive Pleadings in a Divorce Action, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, 1994


How to Make High Quality Requests for Computer-Assisted Legal Research, Clearinghouse Review, 1982


Family Law Issues, Columbus Legal Aid Society


Family Law Issues, Center for New Directions


Representative Cases:
Fisher v. Hasenjager, 2007-Ohio-5589, 116 Ohio St.3d 53, 876 N.E.2d 546 (Ohio Supreme Court 2007)
Lindman v. Lindman, 2005-Ohio-4708, 2005 WL 2174617 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Fifth District 2005)
Spigos v. Spigos, 2004-Ohio-757, 2004 WL 308098 (Ohio Court of Appeals Tenth District 2004)
Stout v. Stout, 2001-Ohio-2293, 2001 WL 1240131 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Third District 2001)
Kehres v. Kehres, 2001 WL 1251643 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Fifth District 2001)
Johnson-Wooldridge v. Wooldridge, 2001 WL 838986 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Tenth District 2001)
French v. Burkhart, 2000 WL 699656 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Fifth District 2000)
Williams v. Cordle, 1996 WL 52894 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Tenth District 1996)
Ameritrust Co. Nat. Ass'n. v. J & J Soap Box Inc., 1991 WL 4930 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Tenth District 1991)
Bergdahl v. Ohio State Bd. of Psychology, 70 Ohio App.3d 488, 591 N.E.2d 399 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Fourth District 1990)
Classes/Seminars Taught:
Cross-Examining the Psychologist in Child Custody Cases, Ohio Poverty Law Center, 2009


The Evolution of Shared Parenting Jurisprudence in Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association Seminar, Advanced Topics in Family Law Seminar, 2008


Handling Real Property Issues in Divorce, Columbus Bar Association Seminar Real Property Law Institute, 2007


Handling Dissolutions in Franklin County, Columbus Legal Aid Society Seminar, 2006


Basic Rules Regarding the Use of Pre-marital Agreements to Plan for Divorce, Columbus Bar Association Seminar, 2006


Dealing with Social Security Retirement Benefits in Divorce Cases, Columbus Bar Association Seminar, 2004


Determining Child Support in High Income Cases, Columbus Bar Association Seminar, 2004


Dealing with False Allegations of Child Abuse in Custody Cases, Columbus Bar Association Seminar, 2002


Child Support: the Good, the Bad, and the Just Plain Weird, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, Office of Mediation Services Seminar, 2002


Determination of Child Support in Shared Parenting Cases, Columbus Bar Association Seminar, 2001


Protecting and Perfecting Your Family Law Case for Appeal, Ohio Sate Bar Association, Annual Convention, 2000


Valuation of Business in Divorce and Dissolution Cases, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysis Seminar, 1999 - 1994


Parental Alienation in Ohio, Columbus Bar Association Seminar, 1999


Handling Appeals in Domestic Relations Cases, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute Seminar, 1999


Transmutation and Tracing of Separate Property, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute Seminar, 1998


Computation of Child Support in High Income Cases, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute Seminar, 1996


Preparation of the Initial Complaint, Motion, and Responsive Pleadings in a Divorce Action, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute Seminar, 1994


Instructor, Family Law Issues, Ohio Poverty Law Center


Instructor, Family Law Issues, Columbus Legal Aid Society


Family Law Issues, Center for New Directions


Honors and Awards:
Super Lawyer, Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine, 2009


President's Award, Columbus Bar Association, 2006


Professional Associations and Memberships:
American Bar Association
Member


Ohio State Bar Association
Member


Columbus Bar Association
Member


Columbus Bar Association, 2004 - 2006
Chairman, Family Law Committee


Past Employment Positions:
Douglas B. Dougherty and Associates, Principal Attorney, 1985 - 2005


Robert C. Paxton and Associates, Associate Attorney, 1982 - 1984


Ohio State Legal Services Association, Staff Attorney, 1980 - 1982


Pro Bono Activities:
Columbus Bar Association, Member, Committee on Pro Bono Representation

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