Douglas R Sparks

Douglas R Sparks

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 46 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Washington, DC
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Sexual Harassment, Brain Injury

5335 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC

About Douglas

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Personal Injury 55%

Plaintiff's lead counsel in serious auto accidents, slip and fall, premise liability, inadequate security cases. Successful via settlement or trial in over 95% of cases.

47 years | 1,500 cases

55%
Brain Injury 15%

47 years | 40 cases

15%
Sexual Harassment 15%

Counsel for victims of sexual abuse in schools, ambulances, hotels, apartment and condo buildings

47 years | 50 cases

15%
Wrongful Death 15%

Plaintiff's lead counsel in over 60 wrongful death cases. Over 95% success rate via settlement or trial verdict.

47 years | 60 cases

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

25%-40%


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in District of Columbia for 46 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 1979

Retired

No misconduct found

Location

Sparks & Associates, PLLC

5335 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC, 20015-2079

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Douglas R Sparks's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

11 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (11) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Responsiveness

Posted by anonymous | April 08, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Personal Injury

Great Lawyer - Car Accident Client

I was rear-ended by a pickup truck and suffered serious back and neck injuries. Unfortunately, the driver that hit me had a relatively low liability insurance policy. But Mr. Sparks got that insurance company to settle for the driver’s maximum limits. Then, he got my insurance company to pay a lot mo...re because I had a much higher underinsured policy coverage limit. I was very happy with the final outcome. My family and I suffered a lot in the accident’s aftermath, and Mr. Sparks stood by me every step of the way. He is an incredibly detailed, skilled and accessible lawyer … and a really good human being too.

Posted by anonymous | April 06, 2016

Everything you want- professional, trustworthy, knowledgable and KIND

Just speaking with Mr. Sparks will restore your confidence in humanity and what a real attorney should be. THANK YOU!! Mr. Sparks took the time to make our situation a priority, we got emails and phone calls right away, he is available when you need him!! He is extremely professional and takes his ro...le very seriously and can be trusted to the utmost degree. He does not make you feel like you are a hassle for asking questions or that you are just a paycheck like many, many others we spoke to. I would recommend Mr. Sparks to anyone that has even the slightest doubt that they may need representation, there is no one I would want or trust more to have in my corner.

Posted by anonymous | January 22, 2014 | Personal Injury

Personal injury case by Doug Sparks

I had a personal injury case that many other lawyers would not even have taken as I had had been given a jaywalking ticket after being struck by a car. Doug Sparks was introduced to me by a friend, also a lawyer, and he took the case and with all its vulnerabilities negotiated a generous settlement ...with the other party's insurance company. He helped me find appropriate medical care without pushing for anyone. He has a long experience with similar cases and his knowledge of the medical issues was extremely helpful in my case. He followed closely the progress in my recovery and made useful suggestions as to what to discuss with my doctor, what kind of questions to ask etc. I interacted with Doug only by phone and email until the very last stage. I found this to be a very effective way to get things done without having to spend time going to and from his office. He emailed any relevant documents to me immediately when he got them and was very proactive in keeping me informed of developments and requesting information. He often got back to me after hours or even on weekends. I have never worked with personal injury lawyers before, so don't have a point of comparison, but I have been very happy with Doug's knowledge and assistance as well as of course the actual settlement outcome.

Posted by anonymous | June 15, 2012 | Criminal Defense

Doug helped us get our life back.

Doug Sparks, or “Super Attorney” as I refer to him, has been my trusted lawyer, legal advisor, and friend for over 20 years. I have dealt with several lawyers in my lifetime, and none is better. It is truly rare to find an attorney who is out solely for YOUR best interest. But this is Doug. I have wo...rked with him on three big cases, and we won every time. This man has never let me down. Most recently, I struggled financially, mentally, and emotionally for almost a year because of false felony charges brought by an arrogant and dangerous prosecutor against me and my wife. Doug helped us take back our lives. He spent day and night committed to our case and our overall well-being. He sat with me many times to answer questions at each step. He was always responsive. Doug’s compassion and confidence gave us strength to fight through this nightmare. I was floored by the sheer amount of evidence Doug compiled and analyzed. He had impeccable attention to detail and was more organized than the prosecutor or even the judge. It was truly amazing. In the courtroom, Doug dominated. He is extremely knowledgeable, skillful, and an expert in what he does. It comes natural to him. Our four day trial ended with the judge belittling the prosecutor for bringing the charges in the first place. The case didn’t even go to the jury. In the middle of trial, the judge granted a motion for acquittal. I will forever thank Doug for fighting for my family to be together, for our freedom, and for bringing life back to normal. I 100% recommend Doug Sparks and always have done so. No lawyer is more perseverant or works harder.

Posted by anonymous | January 02, 2012 | Personal Injury

A Stellar Lawyer with an Impeccable Record -- Don't Hesitate.

I met Douglas Sparks at likely the most vulnerable time in my life. I had been assaulted by a man who broke into my building. The building management had been aware of numerous security issues, but hadn't informed the tenants. Doug immediately made me and my family feel confident that we were in ...good hands, and that, even after a harrowing experience like that one, we could count on him to fight for us and, by extension, the rights of all the tenants in our building. He came prepared, as he always does, and his work, even before we'd met, spoke for itself. Our case was very successful thanks to Doug's hard work and care. His attention to every detail was superb, and he left no corner of the case undiscovered. Through the process of the case, we had so much to manage -- emotionally, mentally, and professionally. Moving forward in a healthy way often seemed impossible. But Doug and his excellent team allowed me to place my focus where it was required -- to the healing process -- instead of the process of the case. Of course, he spent time answering my questions, no matter how trivial. He prepared me for the case, informed me of my options, but didn't burden me with too much information. I recommend Doug without hesitation and with great enthusiasm. He knows the avenues to success and doesn't shy from using them for the good of his clients. He has a directness and savvy that you want on your side. His expertise makes a level playing field out of what often seems like an unfair and drawn-out system. And he is a kind, compassionate person -- which, above all else, is why his clients trust him, and have faith in him, long after their cases are done. Hire Doug Sparks. You'll be happy you did.

See All Client Reviews

Douglas R Sparks's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Douglas
Demetry Pikrallidas headshot
Demetry Pikrallidas

Personal injury lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Doug Sparks is one of the most tenacious lawyers I have ever worked with. He is also detailed, methodical, passionate and knowledgeable in the field of injury law. Anyone who hires Doug has one of the best in their corner."

Michael L Berler headshot
Michael Berler

Personal injury lawyer | Jan 16

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I worked for Douglas Sparks for 4 years, and everything I learned about the practice of law I learned from him. Doug is the kind of lawyer that should teach a course in civil litigation. He could write the manual on how to succeed as a Plaintiff's attorney. Using the best practices I learned from him has put me miles ahead of other lawyers, even those with much more experience. Doug is one of the few lawyers who actually reads every word of every legal document exchanged in a lawsuit. He makes no assumptions and methodically makes reference to every pertinent rule and examines every case the defense cites. Before a Defendant serves discovery, Doug already has a shelf full of indexed binders; he is always 3 steps ahead of his opponents. He never, ever gives up; he never for one moment believes he can't find a solution to any legal dilemma. You would be hard pressed to find a lawyer who is smarter, more ingenious, tenacious, harder working, or who cares more about his clients."

John Philip Kessel headshot
John Kessel

Personal injury lawyer | Dec 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Doug as co-counsel on a major premises liability case which was successfully concluded without trial. Doug is aggressive and creative and is always several steps ahead of his opponents. No lawyer works harder to discover the witnesses and proof necessary for success in complex personal injury litigation. No lawyer is more devoted to his clients' cause."

View All Endorsements
Demetry Pikrallidas headshot
Demetry Pikrallidas

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Superb Rated, Avvo

2017

Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney, Super Lawyers

2017

Best Car Accident Attorney, Expertise

2016

Superb Rated, Avvo

2016

Top 10 Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top Rated Personal Injury Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2015

Superb Rated, Avvo

2015

Top Rated Personal Injury Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Top 10 Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys

2014

Top Rated Personal Injury Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Top 10 Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys

2014

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2014

Superb Rated, Avvo

2013

Superb Rated, Avvo

2013

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2013

Super Lawyer - DC, Super Lawyers

2012

Client's Choice award, Avvo

2012

Superb Rated, AVVO

2012

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2012

Super Lawyer - DC, Super Lawyers

2011

Superb Rated, AVVO

2011

Top 100 Trial Lawyers - DC, National Trial Lawyers

2010

Superb Rated, AVVO

2010

Top 100 Trial Lawyers - DC, National Trial Lawyers

2009

Superb Rated, Avvo

2009

Top 100 Trial Lawyers - DC, National Trial Lawyers

2008

Best of DC, Washington City Paper

2007

Super Lawyer - DC, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Partner, Sparks & Associates, PLLC

2005 - 2010

Partner, Sparks & Silber, LLP

Associations

2008 - 2009

Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Membership Committee

Chair

2005 - 2007

Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Education Committee

Member

2005 - 2012

Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C.

Board of Governors

2003 - 2005

DC Prisoners' Legal Services Project

Board of Directors

2003 - 2005

DC Prisoners' Legal Services Project

Chair - Legal Affairs Committee

Education

1979

Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law

Speaking Engagements

2008

Litigating Against Local Governments

Municipal Liability

2006

Advanced Deposition Techniques

Deposition Tips

2005

Suing The Government

Municipal Liability

2005

Presenter: Public Service Award (Colbert King, Pulitzer Prize Winner)

Outstanding Public Service

2004

Presenter: Public Service Award (Kathy Patterson, DC Council)

Outstanding Public Service

2004

Premises Liability: Key Tips From Top Practitioners

Investigating and Identifying Defendants

Languages

Spanish

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution