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Douglas Andrew Hatherley
About Douglas
Biography
A Career Devoted to Family Law Litigation
Douglas A. Hatherley is a Certified Family Law Specialist and the founder of The Hatherley Firm, Inc., an Orange County family law firm in Aliso Viejo. He has practiced family law exclusively since his admission to the California bar in 2009, at prominent family law firms in Orange County, the Inland Empire and Los Angeles, and became an equity partner at a prestigious Orange County family law firm in 2021. He passed the State Bar of California's Legal Specialist Examination in Family Law in 2017 and has been certified as a Family Law Specialist since 2019.
How He Approaches a Case
Mr. Hatherley's practice centers on contested litigation, including divorce, child custody disputes and move-away requests, child support cases involving complex income, spousal support claims, the characterization and division of community and separate property, domestic violence restraining orders, paternity, and requests to modify custody or support after judgment. He has represented business owners, executives, lawyers, judicial officers and first responders, as well as their spouses, in cases involving business valuation, bonus and stock compensation, and public-safety pensions.
He prepares each case with the evidence, experts and testimony it would need at trial. That preparation puts clients in a stronger position to negotiate a fair settlement, and ready to go forward when settlement isn't possible. Clients work directly with him from the first consultation through judgment, and his cases are heard at the Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange.
Trial Advocacy Training
In 2018, Mr. Hatherley graduated from the National Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute (NFLTI) in Houston, Texas, an intensive eight-day program devoted exclusively to family law trial skills. The training covers every stage of a trial, from developing the case theme and opening statement through evidence, custody evaluations and psychological testing, business valuations, courtroom technology, direct and cross-examination of parties and expert witnesses, and closing argument.
Background and Recognition
During law school at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, Mr. Hatherley served as a judicial extern for a highly respected judge in the Family Law Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court and was Senior Production Editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles International & Comparative Law Review. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from UC Berkeley. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of the Orange County Bar Association's Family Law Section and a former co-editor of its newsletter, and has written for the Los Angeles Daily Journal on bonus income and spousal support modification.
He has been selected to Super Lawyers Southern California since 2022, after six years on the Rising Stars list, and is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® and by Doyle's Guide. He holds Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent® peer rating and a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating. The Hatherley Firm is ranked in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms® for Family Law, and serves clients in Aliso Viejo and communities throughout Orange County.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Licenses
Licensed in California for 16 years
State: California
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
The Hatherley Firm, Inc.
65 Enterprise, Suite 400, Aliso Viejo, CA, 92656
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Douglas Andrew Hatherley's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
7 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews
Posted by anonymous | July 30, 2018
Absolutely recommend
Douglas Hatherly is professional, knowledgeable and extremely helpful. He clearly and objectively explains information and possible outcomes, making sure needs are met even in a tight timeframe.
Posted by James | February 06, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Hardworking, diligent attorney
Doug Hatherly was assigned as the associate lawyer who dealt with most of the day to day issues of my case. Doug was outstanding for several reasons: he initially jumped on the case which had extremely short time frames and came up with defenses and strategies to counteract actics of opposing counsel...
Posted by anonymous | September 07, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Highest Recommendation for Doug Hatherley
I am so glad that Doug was able to assist me with my case. He is truly an excellent attorney and extremely knowledgeable. He is also easy to talk to which makes a difference. On top of that, he went out of his way to ensure that costs were kept down which I appreciated. I offer only my highest re...
Posted by Mike | June 02, 2014
Intelligent, formidable, enthusiastic, and informative
I requested the services Hostrom, Sissuing, and Block in order that I may be reunited with my son. The firm was competent and efficient. They were able to formulate a game plan and exceeded my expectations at my first hearing. Doug Hatherley is my current attorney that was originally appointed to my ...
Posted by anonymous | March 09, 2014
Superior Family Law Attorney
I am very grateful to Mr. Hatherley for his assistance in resolving a very difficult family situation. He was extremely professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. He listened to all of my concerns and brought about a successful outcome to the proceedings. I highly recommend him and would not hesitat...
Douglas Andrew Hatherley's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Doug professionally for several years and have always been impressed with the quality of advocacy he provides to his clients. His clients are in good hands."
"I endorse this lawyer. Doug is an excellent lawyer, who is smart, dedicated, and creative. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Douglas is an excellent family law attorney. I have the utmost respect for him and highly recommend him."
"Douglas is a knowledgeable attorney who is always representing his client's best interests. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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"Doug is respected attorney with a reputation for excellence in advocacy. He is highly skilled and well respected in the legal community. I strongly endorse Doug."
"Doug is a fantastic family law attorney and will provide excellent counsel in your case."
"Hiring an experienced family law attorney is the best way you get peace of mind when dealing with custody , visitation, spousal support, etc. Having a family law attorney's services helps ensure that nothing is left out of your case/claim or matter, which means that costly mistakes won't come back to bite you later. I endorse this lawyer . -Anthony Munoz, Esq."
"Top-notch attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly recommend this skilled lawyer"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse attorney Douglas Hatherley. Respected by colleagues within the legal community. Dedicated to the success of his clients."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant attorney, highly respected in the legal community."
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Experience
Honors
2027
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2026
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Southern California Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Southern California Rising Stars, Super Lawyers
2019
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2019
Certified Family Law Specialist, State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Southern California Rising Stars, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Southern California Rising Stars, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Southern California Rising Stars, Super Lawyers
2016
Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, American Society of Legal Advocates
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Southern California Rising Stars, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Superb Rated Lawyer, Avvo
2014
Southern California Rising Stars, Super Lawyers
N/A
Senior Production Editor, Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Certified Family Law Specialist, The Hatherley Firm, Inc.
2015 - 2023
Family Law Attorney, Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente, LLP
2014 - 2015
Family Law Attorney, Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC
2013 - 2014
Family Law Attorney, Douglas A. Hatherley, Attorney at Law
2011 - 2013
Family Law Attorney, Dishon & Block
2010 - 2011
Family Law Attorney, Law Offices of Korol and Velen
2009 - 2010
Family Law Attorney/Law Clerk, Law & Mediation Offices of Pauline Rosen
2009 - 2009
Judicial Extern, Los Angeles Superior Court
2008 - 2009
Family Law Clerk, Law Offices of Diana P. Zitser, APC
2007 - 2007
Law Clerk, Inner City Law Center
Associations
2011 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2009 - Present
State Bar of California, Family Law SectionMember
University of California Alumni Association
Member
2014 - 2015
Riverside County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2009 - 2011
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2009 - 2011
Beverly Hills Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2007 - 2009
Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law ReviewSenior Production Editor
Education
2018
National Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute (Houston, Texas)
Graduate
2009
Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University
JD - Juris Doctor
2001
University of California - Berkeley
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
Estate Planning and Family Law Intersection
Premarital Agreements
Publications
2013
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Support Payments and that Big Year-End Bonus
2012
Los Angeles Daily Journal
Unrealized Expectations May Justify Spousal Support Modification