Douglas A. Hatherley

Bar / Professional Activity

• Co-editor of the Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section newsletter., 2023
• Executive Board Member of Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section., 2023
• Executive Board Member of Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section., 2022
• Co-editor of the Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section newsletter., 2022

Special Licenses / Certifications

• Certified Family Law Specialist - State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. California attorneys who are certified as specialists have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work., 2019
• Passed October 2017 Legal Specialist Examination in Family Law. , 2017

Pro bono / Community Service

• Volunteer attorney at Laura's House (www.laurashouse.org). Provide family law advice at monthly clinic for victims of domestic violence, 2015

Educational Background

• B.A. Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, 2001
• J.D., Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University, 2009
• Graduate of the National Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute (NFLTI) in Houston, Texas—the premier trial skills program dedicated exclusively to family law. The intensive training covers all aspects of litigation, including custody evaluations, business valuations, cross-examination of expert witnesses, and courtroom technology., 2018

Other Outstanding Achievements

• Elevated to equity partner of Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente, LLP, effective January 1, 2021., 2021
• Graduate of the National Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute (NFLTI) in Houston, Texas—the premier trial skills program dedicated exclusively to family law. The intensive training covers all aspects of litigation, including custody evaluations, business valuations, cross-examination of expert witnesses, and courtroom technology., 2018

Honors

• AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2026
• Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers – Orange County: Recommended, Doyle's Guide, 2025
• Best Lawyers Honoree, The Best Lawyers in America, 2026
• Best Lawyers Honoree, The Best Lawyers in America, 2025
• AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2025
• Best Lawyers Honoree, The Best Lawyers in America (2024 Edition), 2024
• AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2024
• AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2023
• AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2022
• AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2021
• AV Preeminent® is Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards., AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2020
• AV Preeminent® is Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards., AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2019
• Highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards reflecting the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and Judiciary., AV Preeminent -- Judicial Edition, Martindale-Hubbell, 2019
• Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo.com, 2019
• Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo.com, 2018
• AV Preeminent® is Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards., AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell, 2018
• Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo.com, 2017
• Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo.com, 2016
• Fewer than 1.5% of lawyers nationally are selected to the American Society of Legal Advocates Top 40 Under 40., Top 40 Under 40 Family Lawyers in California, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2016
• Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo Rated 10.0 out of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo.com, 2015
• Senior Production Editor, Loyola of Los Angeles International & Comparative Law Review

“I have known Mr. Hatherley for a number of years. He is very bright and has exceptional skills.”