As a leading commercial litigator, Doug focuses on partnership disputes, shareholder squeeze out litigation, contract disputes, life settlements, securities claims, eminent domain, valuation proceedings and real property tax assessment litigation. As a member of the firm’s e-discovery practice (e-info℠), he provides comprehensive document management services for both non-litigation and litigation scenarios.
Doug has served as litigation counsel for multiple clients engaged in litigation over viatical and life settlements and currently is handling multiple litigations for entities associated with Allfinancial Group. He and other Harris Beach lawyers recently secured a $10 million judgment in the United States District Court for South Dakota with respect to a policy issued by Transamerica on the life of a Brooklyn woman.
Doug views commercial litigation as falling into two general categories – either as component of larger business strategy or as an effort to extract value from a business opportunity that will be closed out. His experiences teach that the approaches to such disputes often differ as a result of the differing objectives, and strategy varies accordingly. He believes that clients can maximize their return on investment in litigation only if they have a clear view of their own objectives, of the adversary and its objectives, and an early appreciation for realistic options.