Doug Melcher is a licensed attorney who has more than twenty years of experience in the private practice of law. He focuses his practice on advising and representing individuals, small businesses, and non-profits in matters involving civil litigation in Washington, DC.
Doug advises and represents clients in a wide range of matters, including disputes concerning business relationships, real estate, and commercial transactions involving individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, for-profit and non-profit corporations, and citizens associations. He represents clients in trial court proceedings, appeals, administrative hearings, mediation, and arbitration.
Doug has written extensively about the laws of the District of Columbia, including for his blog, currently known as D.C. Law Blog. He is also the author of Tort Claims and Defenses in the District of Columbia, which is a handbook for lawyers who need detailed technical information about the laws of the District of Columbia applicable to civil claims for assault, battery, false imprisonment / false arrest, conversion, trespass to chattel, trespass to realty, negligence (including employer negligence, legal malpractice, medical malpractice, motor vehicle negligence, premises liability, and other cases), strict liability for defective products, defamation (libel and slander), injurious falsehood, invasion of privacy, fraudulent misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, spoliation of evidence, loss of consortium, and other torts as well as a wide range of defenses.
Doug earned his law degree, with high honors, from The George Washington University Law School where he served as a member and editor of The George Washington Law Review. Prior to attending law school, he earned a bachelor of science degree from Syracuse University, and a master of science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Doug is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and, as such, is authorized to represent individuals and entities in proceedings before the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, and agencies of the District of Columbia such as the District of Columbia Office of Administrative Hearings. He is also authorized to represent individuals and entities in various federal courts, including the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Doug also has been admitted pro hac vice to litigate individual cases in courts throughout the country.
Doug is proficient in Spanish and has lived in Guatemala and Peru. He currently resides in the District of Columbia with his wonderful wife and children.
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State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC, 20015
melcherlaw.comShowing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by John | June 02, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate
The Best real estate lawyer we ever hired in DC
I first found Doug online 4 years ago and asked him to help us removing a fraudulent mechanical lien filed by a very bad excavation contractor. Doug is very sharp, paid great attention to the details of my case and removed the lien in less than 1 month. From that on, Doug has helped us with all con...
Posted by Ann | June 05, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Administrative Law
Excellent and dedicated lawyer
Doug represented a group of neighbors before an administrative tribunal in a complex matter related to a disruptive neighborhood business. He stood out for his dedication to the task, knowledge of the law and process, and ability to cheerfully handle a difficult situation. I would highly recommend hi...
Posted by Anita | May 11, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate
Meticulous and Knowledgeable
My trust attorney and I hired Douglas C. Melcher to help with nettlesome partition case. He quickly demonstrated deep knowledge of case law regarding property sales and a grasp of the issues before us. He was a brilliant strategist who looked at the overall picture and gave an accurate and frank asse...
Posted by Will | December 03, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
A difficult case, a caring attorney
Doug represented me in a water damage case and truly went above and beyond. He was available at all hours of the day, explained the details of my case with great care, and above all else had my best interests in mind 100%. He is a fantastic lawyer who knows the law inside and out and is exceedingly f...
"I endorse this lawyer. My estate planning client had a need for an experienced litigator. Doug and I worked together over a two year period. He really did a great job and he achieved a positive result for my client who was very happy with his work. I highly recommend him to anyone with a general litigation need."
"Doug is a brilliant thinker, writer, and lawyer. I have had the opportunity to work with him, and he has a level-headed and pragmatic approach, combined with excellence in his work. I highly recommend Doug."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Doug in connection with 2 separate matters. I have found him to extremely knowledgeable with strong legal instincts. Doug works incredibly hard on behalf of his clients and is easy to work with. He is a highly skilled advocate."
"A talented lawyer who deeply cares about his clients and getting them the best possible result."
"Doug is an extremely intelligent attorney who will find arguments others won't. He also literally wrote the book on tort claims and damages in the District of Columbia. I would recommend his services to anyone looking for a competent attorney for a litigation matter in D.C. and surrounding jurisdictions."
Lawsuits and disputes lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Unknown lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
2024
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
Peer Reviewed, Martindale-Hubbell
Member
Member
Obtained Seven-Figure Settlement for Plaintiff
Obtained Confidential Settlement for Plaintiff
Obtained Confidential Settlement for Plaintiff
Obtained Confidential Settlement for Plaintiff
Obtained Confidential Settlement for Plaintiff
Obtained Confidential Settlements for Plaintiffs
Obtained Confidential Settlements for Plaintiffs
Obtained Confidential Settlements for Plaintiffs
Obtained Seven-Figure Judgment for Plaintiff
Obtained Dismissal With Prejudice for Defendants
Obtained Settlements for Plaintiffs
Property partition pursuant to court order and favorable subsequent settlement of accounting.
Obtained very favorable pre-litigation settlement for client.
Succeeded in recovering property through pre-litigation demand (1 case) and through protracted litigation (1 case).
Obtained favorable pre-litigation settlement for client.
1999
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
MS - Master of Science
1993
BS - Bachelor of Science
2000
1999
1998
English
Spanish
