After obtaining his aerospace engineering degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Doug spent eight years in the U.S. Marines flying the AH-1W attack helicopter. Since completing law school he has focused his practice almost exclusively on the aviation and space industries, with an emphasis on accident litigation and risk management.
Over his 27 years litigating aircraft accidents, Doug has represented a major component manufacturer in years-long litigation arising from two airline disasters, a helicopter manufacturer in several accident cases, and countless airports, FAA-licensed repair facilities, and operators of airplanes and helicopters. While an associate within the aviation practice group of a large global law firm, Doug worked on various Department of Transportation proceedings including a dispute between an airline consortium and the government owner of a large international airport over costly noise abatement procedures. He has handled numerous jury and bench trials to a verdict.
Doug taught Aviation Law at Loyola Law School and Aviation Insurance & Risk Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and has lectured extensively to pilot groups on the topic of aviation legal risk management. He served for many years on the board of directors of the nation’s largest volunteer pilot organization, Angel Flight West, including two years as board chair. Doug has also advised and served as general counsel to several start-up commercial spaceflight companies. A Naval Postgraduate School-trained aviation safety officer who was the investigator-in-charge of two serious Marine Corps mishaps, Doug retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2008.
Doug was a championship ski racer in high school, and still enjoys downhill skiing as well as distance trail running and mountain biking.
