Douglas Russell Donnelly

Douglas Russell Donnelly

Law Offices of Douglas R. Donnelly
  • California
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Claimed Lawyer Profile
Biography

Doug Donnelly is an attorney specializing in adoption law and guardianships. He is also an adopting parent, author, and lecturer. He has practiced adoption law for over 40 years, and has handled over 4000 adoptions. He has spoken on legal issues related to adoption law at legal gatherings throughout the United States, and handles adoption cases statewide throughout California. He was the author of A Guide to Adoption, and co-author of The Complete Adoption Handbook. He has testified numerous times before committees of the California legislature, and has written several bills regarding adoption law, which have been enacted and become California law. He has also handled contested adoption proceedings at all levels up to and including the California Supreme Court, and was successful as the lead attorney in two landmark Supreme Court decisions. He has been AV rated by Martindale Hubbell for over 20 years, won the "Client Champion Award" from that organization, and has also been awarded an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. He is a past-President of the Academy of California Adoption Lawyers, and a Charter Member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys.

Additional Practice Areas
  • Adoption Law
  • Guardianship Law
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
California
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Professional Experience
Owner
Law Offices of Douglas R. Donnelly
- Current
Attorney in Solo Practice Specializing in Adoption Law, Guardianships, and related child custody proceedings.
Partner
Donnelly, Schlottman & Nichols, Attorneys at Law
-
Partner in Civil Practice Lawfirm, emphasizing real estate law, adoption law, and education law
Education
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
J.D. (1977) | Law
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Loyola Law School, Los Angeles Logo
Westmont College
B.A. (1974) | Political Science
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Honors: Graduated Cum Laude
Activities: President, Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society
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Awards
Chairman, Ethics Committee
Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Served as Ethics Committee Chairman for 20 years.
Ethics Committee Chairman
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Served two years as Chairman of Ethics Committee of National Academy of Adoption Attorneys
President
Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Professional Associations
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Felllow, and Chairman of Ethics Committee
- Current
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Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Fellow
- Current
Activities: Former President; Chairman of Ethics Committee
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California State Bar  # 76264
Member
- Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Of Adoption and Inheritance
Santa Barbara County Bar Association
Paying For Adoption Without Buying The Baby
Bancroft-Whitney
The Complete Adoption Handbook
Zondervan
A Guide to Adoption
Focus On The Family
Speaking Engagements
Terminating Parental Rights: Selecting The Right Tool For The Job, California Adoption Symposium, Los Angeles, CA
Loyola University Law School & Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
2016 California Adoption Law and Family Formation Case Law In Review, California Adoption Symposium, Los Angeles, CA
Loyola University Law School & Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Professionalism: Bringing Aspirational Ideals to Practice, Ventura, CA
National Business Institute
Handling Contested Adoptions, California Adoption Symposium, Los Angeles, CA
Loyola University Law School & Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Financial Aspects of Adoption, Pasadena, CA
National Business Institute
Dealing With, and Protecting Yourself From, Difficult Clients, Teleconference
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Handling Birth Mother Living Expenses Competently and Ethically, Adoption Symposium, Los Angeles, CA
Loyola University Law School & Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Introduction To, and Recent Developments Regarding, The Indian Child Welfare Act, Pasadena, CA
National Business Institute
Trust Account Management for the Busy Practitioner, Los Angeles, CA
Loyola University School of Law & Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
The Termination of Parental Rights In Connection With Adoption, Pasadena, CA
National Business Institute
The 14 Commandments of Ethical Adoption Practice, Annual Conference of American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Monterey, CA
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
What The Family Law Practitioner Needs to Know About Adoption, Ventura, CA
Ventura County Bar Association
Historical Development Of The Constitutional Rights Of Birth Fathers, California Adoption Symposium, Costa Mesa, CA
Whittier College Law School
Open Adoption Records And The Right to Privacy, Ventura, CA
Ventura County Bar Association
The Rights of Presumed Fathers Under The Uniform Parentage Act, Los Angeles, CA
Loyola Univesity School of Law & Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
The Rights of Alleged Natural Fathers Under the Uniform Parentage Act, Adoption Symposium, Los Angeles, CA
Loyola University Law School & Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
The Case For Adoption, Columbus, OH
Ohio Organization of Adoption Professionals
Ethics Beyond the Initial Contact, Atlanta, GA
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
The Rights of Birth Fathers Under Adoption of Kelsey S., San Francisco, California
Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Examining the Independent Adoption Center Phenomenon, Washington, DC
National Council for Adoption
A Concise Introduction to Adoption: Key Rules, Concepts and First Steps, Pasadena, California
National Business Institute
Legal Ethics for the Adoption Practitioner, Santa Ana, California
National Business Institute
Termination of Parental Rights, Sacramento, California
Sacramento County Bar Association
Certifications
Former President
Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Chairman, Ethics Committee
Academy of California Adoption Lawyers
Chairman, Ethics Committee
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Fellow
American Academy of Adoption Attorneys
Websites & Blogs
Website
AdoptionLawFirm.com
Contact & Map
Law Offices of Douglas R Donnelly
1332 Santa Barbara St Ste 201
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Telephone: (805) 962-0988
Fax: (805) 966-2993