Introduction

Attorney Douglas B. Dougherty ("Doug") has practiced law for approximately thirty-five years. He is certified as a Specialist in Family Relations Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. His practice is limited to cases involving divorce, dissolution, and other family law matters.

Experience

Attorney Dougherty has argued and won in the Supreme Court of Ohio and in numerous Ohio courts of appeal. He has handled thousands of family law cases. He has successfully represented clients at trials and hearings in many counties throughout the State of Ohio.

Free Article

For a free copy of Doug's article "The first 10 things you must consider when planning for divorce or dissolution," click here.

Supreme Court Videos

To view videos of Attorney Dougherty winning cases in the Supreme Court, click here.

My Philosophy - Personal Notes from Doug

"Lawsuits and legal problems are frequently difficult. However, a good lawyer can make a huge difference."

"A good lawyer is a strong advocate for his or her client and a good person. I treat everyone with respect and courtesy. This includes my clients, the opposing parties, and the opposing attorneys."

"I work very hard to settle all of my cases without a trial. I probably settle approximately 95% of my cases. Regarding the cases that must go to trial, I work extremely hard to achieve a good result at a reasonable cost for my client."

Knowledge and Ethics

Doug's skills have been recognized by judges and other attorneys. In a private peer review survey, conducted by the nation's leading lawyer ranking organization (LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell), Doug has repeatedly received the highest possible ranking regarding his knowledge of the law and his legal ethics.

He has also repeatedly been named one of "Ohio's Top Lawyers" by Columbus CEO magazine and as a "Super Lawyer" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine.

Certified Specialist in Family Law

Attorney Dougherty has been a Certified Specialist in Family Law since 2000 (the first year specialist certification was available). Fewer than one-half of 1% of attorneys in the State of Ohio have earned this specialist certification.

Settlement Success

Doug settles more than 95% of his cases without a trial.

Mediation Work

In addition to working as an attorney, Doug also works as a mediator. His mediation practice is limited to family law matters. As a mediator, he works with both parties to reach a quick and fair agreement and to avoid unnecessary expenses and litigation.

Articles and Presentations

Doug frequently helps to educate other lawyers on family law topics. He has written articles and given presentations for the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the Columbus Legal Aid Society, and many other organizations. For a list of Doug's articles and presentations, click here.

Supreme Court and Appellate Court Victories

Doug has won two cases in the Supreme Court and numerous cases in various courts of appeals. For a list of some of Doug's victories, click here.

Areas of Practice and Special Interests

  • Divorce, Dissolution and Legal Separation
  • Annulment and Fraudulent Marriages
  • Property and Debt Division - General
  • Property and Debt Division - Premarital and Separate Property
  • Property and Debt Division - Pensions and Retirement Plans
  • Property and Debt Division - Complex Assets
  • Property and Debt Division - Business Interests
  • Property and Debt Division - Professional Practices
  • Spousal Support (Alimony)
  • Spousal Support - Modification
  • Spousal Support - Termination
  • High Income and Significant Asset Cases
  • Paternity and Parentage
  • Child Custody, Visitation, and Shared Parenting
  • Parental Alienation
  • Child Support, Health Insurance, etc.
  • Grandparent and Non-Parent Rights
  • Same-Sex Divorce and Custody
  • Modification and Termination of Court Orders
  • Parental Relocation Cases
  • Contempt Motions and Enforcement of Orders
  • Domestic Violence - Protection Orders
  • Domestic Torts - Money Damages
  • Premarital Planning and Prenuptial Agreements
  • Appeals and Objections
  • Constitutional Rights of Parents
  • Judicial Recusal and Disqualification

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Ohio State Bar Association, Member
  • Columbus Bar Association, Member
  • Columbus Bar Association, Chairman, Family Law Committee, 2004 - 2006

Employment History

  • Dougherty, Hanneman & Piccin, LLC, Partner, 2020 - Present
  • Dougherty, Hanneman & Snedaker, LLC, Partner, 2006 - 2019
  • Douglas B. Dougherty and Associates, Principal Attorney, 1985 - 2005
  • Robert C. Paxton and Associates, Associate Attorney, 1982 - 1984
  • Ohio State Legal Services Association, Staff Attorney, 1980 - 1982

Bar Admissions

  • Ohio, 1980
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1980

Education

  • Ohio Northern University
    • J.D. - 1980
    • Honors: Member, National Moot Court Team
    • Honors: Dean's list (various semesters)
  • Ohio State University
    • B.A. - 1977
    • Honors: Member, National Debate Team
    • Honors: Dean's list (various quarters)
    • Major: Arts and Sciences

List of Articles and Presentations

  • The Quiet Revolution in Spousal Support Modification: New Rules Regarding Limits and Conditions in Spousal Support Modification Cases, Ohio State Bar Association, Sixth Annual Family Law Institute, 2018

  • Ohio Civil Protection Orders: Combating Violence, Threats of Violence, and Other Bad Behavior, Ohio State Bar Association, Fourth Annual Family Law Institute, 2016

  • Protecting Your Right to Appeal in Domestic Relations Cases, Ohio State Bar Association, Advanced Topics in Family Law Seminar, 2012

  • An Introduction to Handling Civil Appeals in the Supreme Court of Ohio, Columbus Bar Association, New Lawyers Committee, 2011

  • Basic Divorce Procedure Law in Ohio, Columbus Bar Association, New Lawyer Training Program, 2010

  • Cross-Examining the Psychologist in Child Custody Cases, Ohio Poverty Law Center, 2009

  • Fisher v. Hasenjager: The Evolution of Shared Parenting Jurisprudence in Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association, Advanced Family Law Seminar, 2008

  • Digging the "Dirt" in Divorce: Handling Real Property Issues in Divorce, Columbus Bar Association, Real Property Law Institute, 2007

  • Protecting Your Business in a Divorce, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2007

  • Handling Dissolutions in Franklin County, Columbus Legal Aid Society, 2006

  • Hope for the Best But Prepare for the Worst: Basic Rules Regarding the Use of Pre- Marital Agreements to Plan for Divorce, Columbus Bar Association, 2006

  • The New "Property:" Dealing With Social Security Retirement Benefits in Divorce Cases, Columbus Bar Association, 2004

  • Creeping Toward Rationality: Determining Child Support in High Income Cases, Columbus Bar Association, 2004

  • Almost as Despicable as the Act Itself: Dealing With False Allegations of Child Abuse in Custody Cases, Columbus Bar Association, 2002

  • Child Support: the Good, the Bad, and the Just Plain Weird, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Division of Domestic Relations, Office of Mediation Services, 2002

  • When "Shared" Isn't Shared: Determination of Child Support in Shared Parenting Cases, Columbus Bar Association, 2001

  • Protecting and Perfecting Your Family Law Case for Appeal, Ohio State Bar Association, Annual Convention, 2000

  • Valuation of Businesses in Divorce and Dissolution Cases, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts, 1999

  • The Law of Parental Alienation in Ohio, Columbus Bar Association, 1999

  • Handling Appeals in Domestic Relations Cases, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, 1999

  • Now You See It - Now You Don't: Transmutation and Tracing of Separate Property, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, 1998

  • The Rich Are Different: Computation of Child Support in High Income Cases, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, 1996

  • Preparation of the Initial Complaint, Motions, and Responsive Pleadings in a Divorce Action, Ohio Continuing Legal Education Institute, 1994

  • How to Make High Quality Requests for Computer-Assisted Legal Research, Clearinghouse Review, 1982

List of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Victories

  • In re Mullen, 2011-Ohio-3361, 129 Ohio St.3d 417, 953 N.E.2d 302 (Ohio Supreme Court 2011)

  • Fisher v. Hasenjager, 2007-Ohio-5589, 116 Ohio St.3d 53, 876 N.E.2d 546 (Ohio Supreme Court 2007)

  • Watson v. Watson, 2023-Ohio-3719, 2023 WL 6629977 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Tenth District 2023)

  • Lindman v. Lindman, 2005-Ohio-4708, 2005 WL 2174617 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Fifth District 2005)

  • Spigos v. Spigos, 2004-Ohio-757, 2004 WL 308098 (Ohio Court of Appeals Tenth District 2004)

  • Stout v. Stout, 2001-Ohio-2293, 2001 WL 1240131 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Third District 2001)

  • Kehres v. Kehres, 2001 WL 1251643 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Fifth District 2001)

  • Johnson-Wooldridge v. Wooldridge, 2001 WL 838986 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Tenth District 2001)

  • French v. Burkhart, 2000 WL 699656 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Fifth District 2000)

  • Williams v. Cordle, 1996 WL 52894 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Tenth District 1996)

  • Ameritrust Co. Nat. Ass'n. v. J & J Soap Box Inc., 1991 WL 4930 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Tenth District 1991)

  • Bergdahl v. Ohio State Bd. of Psychology, 70 Ohio App.3d 488, 591 N.E.2d 399 (Ohio Court of Appeals, Fourth District 1990)