DOUGLAS R. DONNELLY
Doug Donnelly is a graduate of Westmont College and Loyola University Law School.
He has handled adoption cases at all levels up to and including the California Supreme Court, and has bee a frequent public speaker on adoption related topics at gatherings throughout the United States.
He and his wife Gail are the proud parents of two adult adopted daughters.
He is the author of A Guide to Adoption, published by Focus on the Family Publications in 1987, and the co-author of The Complete Adoption Handbook, published by Zondervan Publications in 1992.
He also authored the chapter on adoption law in West Publishing’s California Transaction Forms, a how-to set of books for attorneys.
He has testified numerous times before committees of the California legislature and has helped to write numerous legislative bills that have become law. He and his work have been featured in the media, and he has been seen on the CBS News program “48 Hours.”
Practice Areas:
Adoption Law; Guardianships; Interstate Child Custody
Admitted:
1977, California;
1978, U.S. District Court, Central District of California;
1987, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
Law School:
Loyola University of Los Angeles, J.D., 1977
College:
Westmont College, B.A., cum laude, 1974.
Member:
Academy of California Adoption Attorneys (President, 1993; Chairman, Ethics Committee 1998-2014);
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (Chairman, Ethics Committee, 1990-1992);
Santa Barbara County Bar Association;
State Bar of California (Member, Adoptions Committee, Family Law Section);
Christian Legal Society;
Better Business Bureau
Biography:
Author: Adoption Chapter, “California Transaction Forms: Family Law,” West Group, 1998;
“A Guide To Adoption,” Focus on the Family Press, 1987.
Co-Author: “Complete Adoption Handbook,” Zondervan, 1992.
Fellow and Charter Member, Academy of California Adoption Lawyers (President, 1993).
Fellow and Charter Member, American Academy of Adoption Attorneys (Ethics Committee Chairman, 1991-1993)
Ratings and Honors:
Martindale-Hubbell (operator of Lawyers.com), has awarded Mr. Donnelly with its coveted “AV” ranking, which is its highest possible ranking, achieved by only the top 3% of all licensed attorneys nationwide, and he has consistently earned this ranking for over 20 years. These ratings are based upon confidential peer reviews, and an “AV” rating is awarded only to those attorneys who are considered to have “from very high to preeminent” legal ability. ) 1997-present.
Martindale-Hubbell has also awarded Mr. Donnelly the “Client Distinction Award” for each year since 2012, which is based upon client ratings, and is awarded to less than 1% of the over 900,000 attorneys rated. This award is based upon client ratings of the attorney’s “Communications Ability, Responsiveness, Quality of Service, and Value for Money.”
For 2021, Mr. Donnelly was recognized as one of Southern California’s “SuperLawyers”®, an honor bestowed on only the top 3 to 5 % of all practicing attorneys.
The Better Business Bureau has also awarded Mr. Donnelly a ranking of “A+,” which is its highest possible rating.
Reported Cases:
Adoption of T.K. (2016) 247 Cal.App.4th 1412;
Adoption of K.C. (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 1392
In Re Charlotte D. (2009) 45 Cal.4th 1140;
Adoption of Michael H. (1995) 10 Cal.4th 1043;
In re Kyle F. (2003) 112 Cal.App.4th 538;
Applegate v. Ota (1983) 146 Cal. App. 3d 702.
References Available Upon Request.
ISLN: 907801977