Douglas Watts | Sacramento Litigation Specialist | California

Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire

Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
In early 2013, I represented a wonderful, trusting married couple who had been tricked into investing the proceeds from the sale of a house in the Defendants' so-called "investment company." Although my clients had received some small "dividend" payments after the Defendants fooled them into investing, they stopped receiving payments altogether and were forced to hire an attorney. I investigated the Defendants' "investment company," found it to be bogus, and pursued the individuals associated with the corporate entity in a court action. Within a few short weeks after receiving my clients' lawsuit, the Defendants paid my wonderful clients back in full for the money they'd been cheated out of, along with additional funds for attorneys' fees. That was extremely rewarding.

How did you build a successful practice?
By treating my clients the way I would want to be treated. I keep my caseload reasonably sized and manageable. I know all of my clients personally, and become intimately familiar with the facts of each case. I am reachable by phone, e-mail and text, and my clients have always expressed gratitude at my availability and willingness to take time to explain complicated legal issues in ways that non-lawyers can understand.

What should clients look for in a lawyer?
The most important thing is competence. Check out a potential lawyer, read his/her reviews online, and ask pointed questions about his/her experience with your kind of case when you meet with them. The second most important thing to look for is communication; i.e., does your lawyer keep you informed of the progress of your case? There is nothing sadder to me than when a new client comes from a different attorney, and they tell me "My old lawyer never told me anything!"

How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
It is quite important. A local attorney's knowledge of other law firms, judges, court procedures, and the like can help a client navigate to much smoother waters than someone who is not familiar with the area in which a case is pending.

What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
My experience in matters like the Client's; my initial opinion as to whether the Client may have a bona fide claim worthy of pursuing; the timeline for achieving a resolution to Client's case; and the potential costs in both attorneys' time and related expenses (process servers fees, court filing fees, etc.)

What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
I always need the Client's name and contact information (including e-mail and mailing address), the potential Defendant or other party's name and contact information, the dates of any important occurrences, and the names of any potential witnesses to the important happenings which gave rise to a potential case.

What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I bring humor, kindness and humanity to my job, things that I believe are in short supply in the legal world. I charge reasonable rates for my time and do not nickel-and-dime my clients for every little activity I do. I get to know my clients as people and take the time to try and understand what -- at the end of a court case -- will make them feel satisfied and as close to whole as possible.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Helping people solve problems, and making those complex problems understandable and less scary.

What are your other interests in addition to law?
I am a licensed pilot, an avid golfer, and I love to travel all over the United States and to different countries.

Are you involved in your community?
I am an active member in both the Folsom Chamber of Commerce and Folsom Lake Rotary. I am also an investor in Folsom Lake Bank, a great community bank started by members of my home community.

• Member of the California State Bar Association (1996-Present)

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Douglas Watts has been a Premium Member since February 03, 2014.
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