Douglas Evan Spiegel

Douglas Evan Spiegel

4.1
Rating: 5.7

Licensed for 23 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Fort Myers, FL
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Family, Alimony

1625 Hendry Street, Suite 102, Fort Myers, FL

About Douglas

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 25%

Practice in all areas of family law. Consisting of child custody/child support, dissolution of marriage, alimony, visitation, modifications, injunction for protection, supplemental petition, contempt/enforcement matters.

25%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 23 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 2003

Member in Good Standing

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023

Location

Douglas E. Spiegel, P.A.

1625 Hendry Street, Suite 102, Fort Myers, FL, 33901

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Douglas Evan Spiegel's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.1 /5.0

33 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by anonymous | December 04, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Litigation

Deceptive & Unethical

• When I handed thousands of dollars to Mr. Spiegel for retainer in June 2016, he proceeded to do whatever he wanted or did not want to do. Face to face he appears competent but once leaving his office there was no follow through, he and his staff were unprofessional and lacked legal knowledge. Mr. S...piegel did not return over 90% of phone my calls or emails - I was left in the dark as he failed me and my case… my hands were tied once retaining him. I fired Mr. Spiegel in November 2016 due to the overwhelming and extensive damage done to my case. This included misfiling with the courts, wrongful advisement for deposition, extending my case against my wishes/without consultation, missing case management deadlines “he” had authorized, acting on his own volition, ignored my refusal for closing conflict at opposing counsel’s office, not reviewing closing documents costing me thousands, left me in the middle of my deposition for personal reasons, non-preparation for court, non-preparation for Plaintiff’s deposition, and refusing to seek pertinent information which would resolve opposing conflicts in the case. As my lawyer, Mr. Spiegel did not inform me of my rights to whatsoever to an appeal when the judge conflicted his own prior orders he had set forth. To this day, I am still stuck in a case Mr. Spiegel extended that has no end in site because of he took it upon himself to sign a new case management with the opposing counsel without my authorization, against my wishes and without speaking to me about it as required by the judge. Once you hire an attorney you have no rights – only your counsel is heard and this one will do whatever he wants. I am still to this day tied up in litigation thanks to Doug Spiegel.

Douglas Spiegel

Replied last December 04, 2019

PLEASE FIND BELOW THE CIRCUIT COURT ORDER BY THE HONORABLE JUDGE JAY ROSMAN, WHICH THE COURT FOUND THIS DEFENDANT TO HAVE LIED ABOUT ISSUES IN THIS CASE AND OTHERWISE ENGAGED IN A PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT WHICH ORCHESTRATED A SCHEME ALCULATED TO INTERFERE WITH THE TRIAL COURT'S ABILITY TO ADJUDICATE THE PENDING CLAIMS. THIS INDIVIDUAL FIILED A BAR COMPLAINT THAT WAS DISMISSED. I KNOW CLIENTS SOMETIMES AREN'T HAPPY WITH THE JUDGES RULING AND I UNDERSTAND. THOUGH I AM VERY SYMPATHETIC TO MY CLIENTS, THIS INDIVIDUAL ACTED PATHETIC. THIS INDIVIDUAL IS WHERE THEY ARE AT BECAUSE OF THERE CONTINUED PATTERN OF MISCONDUCT AND DISHONESTY, AS THE COURT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE THIS DEFENDANT WHO BLAME OTHERS FOR THEIR DISHONEST ACTIONS. 8/10/2017 2:22 PM Filed Lee County Clerk of Courts IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTIETH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR LEE COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL ACTION DANIEL J. HAMILTON, Plaintiff, vs. KENDRA ANN KLAUS, Defendant. CASE NO. 15-CA-00441 ORDER STRIKING DEFENDANT'S PLEADINGS AND ENTERING JUDGMENT FOR PLAINTIFF This matter having come before the Court upon Plaintiff, DANIEL J. HAMILTON'S, Motion for SanctionslMotion to Strike Defendant, Klaus's, Pleadings, the Court having reviewed the file, having heard argument of Counsel and parties and upon the evidence presented, it is hereby: ORDERED AND ADJUDGED as follows: 1. The Court finds that Defendant lied about material issues in this case and otherwise engaged in a pattern of misconduct which orchestrated a scheme alculated to interfere with the trial Court's ability to adjudicate the pending claims. 2. In light of the foregoing, the Court does hereby strike all of Defendant's pleadings. 3. Further, judgment is hereby entered in favor of Plaintiff, DANIEL 1. HAMILTON and against Defendant, KENDRA KLAUS on Counts IV, V and VI of Plaintiffs Third Amended Complaint. 4. The Court reserves jurisdiction to determine the amount of damages to be awarded, including, but not limited to treble damages, cour: costs and attorney's fees under Count IV (civil theft) of Plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint, and attorney's fees, punitive damages and civil penalties for Defendant's violation of Florida Statute §817.535, (Count VI of Plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint). DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, Lee County, Florida on this 9 day of August, 2017. Honorable Jay B. Rosman Circuit Court Judge Copies furnished to:

Posted by Lida | August 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

After two years in Court with a complex divorce I WON!!! and Doug Helped me out.

Doug Spiegel and his staff fought hard for me. I was represented better than I could have ever imagined for more than 2 years in court. My needs were put first and was treated as a friend rather than a number. My opinions were valued and my doubts were always reassured by Doug and his amazing staff. ...My nerves were calmed and the process was always explained at any time. Doug Spiegel fought hard for me and my daughter rights. He went above and beyond and did everything he could to ensure a wonderful outcome, being father himself he was able to relate to my case even better. I couldn't have asked for a better lawyer, very professional and prepare during court and the trial. His experience with Child Support and Child Custody were just brilliant. Doug’s experience in psychology cases, specially dealing in court with cases that involved multiple personalities disorders, he was able to help me to recuperate money that was taken away from my daughter and to get a full custody for my child. My daughter , my family and myself will be always grateful to Doug and all his wonderful staff.

Posted by David | April 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney

Professional, Curtious, Caring, Couldn't ask for better.

When I needed the legal help of a Lawyer, I was suggested to Douglas Spiegel by many. I am very Thankful for how he handled my case as well as how attentive he & his associates were. If I ever had any questions, they were answered within an hour of me emailing them. His Legal team was very quick to r...espond with both Professionalism & Care. I was kept up to date on the handling of my case whenever something new came up. I can tell you Douglas Spiegel & his associates worked tirelessly & around the clock to help me out. Couldn't have asked for better!

Posted by Chris | February 23, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Man of his word

My wife surprised me with divorce papers on Jan 15, 2017. I needed an attorney and contacted Mr. Spiegel. He was able to see me the next day and I showed him the paperwork I received from my wife's attorney. They were asking from 50,000 as part of the settlement. I was told by my wife's lawyer that t...he prenuptial agreement that she signed prior to our marriage, was no good in Florida that is were Mr. Spiegel came in. He look over the paperwork and said the prenuptial was good and would hold up in court. He said he would send a letter to her attorney and keep me post which he or his staff did via email. She settled for 15,000 without court action. Thanks to Mr. Spiegel for being, honest, up front and keeping me posted every step of the way. Not to mention the money he saved me. Chris, retired police officer.

Posted by anonymous | April 13, 2015 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Misleading

A total waste of time and money! I found him and his staff very unprofessional to say the least. Very difficult to communicate with and shows up for court unprepared . Thousands of dollars and many months and nothing was accomplished.

See All Client Reviews

Douglas Evan Spiegel's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Douglas
Michele Suzanne Belmont headshot
Michele Belmont

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 03

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Terrence M. DeSalvo Jr. headshot
Terrence DeSalvo

Family lawyer | Apr 20

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have had several cases opposing Attorney Spiegel. I have found him to be very relaxed and approachable when parties are trying to amicably resolve a case out of court, while still being well prepared and fighting hard when in court. I believe he is knowledgeable about the law and well prepared for his clients. I endorse this lawyer."

Kenneth Ray Turner Jr. headshot
Kenneth Turner

Family lawyer | Nov 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Pablo Sergio Hurtado headshot
Pablo Hurtado

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have observed Mr. Spiegel in court for years. He is well prepared, has the respect of the judiciary, and represents his clients with class and dignity. An asset to the legal community."

Christopher Steven O'Keefe headshot
Christopher O'Keefe

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Doug is extremely knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer and aggressively defends his client's rights."

View All Endorsements
Terrence M. DeSalvo Jr. headshot
Terrence DeSalvo

Family lawyer

Pablo Sergio Hurtado headshot
Pablo Hurtado

Immigration lawyer

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James Scarmozzino

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  5.7 (Average)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.

Public Reprimand issued in FL, 2023

updated on 11/13/2023

Public reprimand means the attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The Bar warns the lawyer in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior. Details of the infraction are made part of the public record.

Honors

2025

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2003 - Present

Attorney, Douglas E. Spiegel, P.A.

Associations

2010 - 2013

Kings of Court

member

Education

N/A

Thomas M. Cooley Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

N/A

University of Central Florida

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Activity

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
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023
    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