Douglas L. Rappaport

Fueled by a desire to fight for the underdog, a love of our constitution and a fierce commitment to his clients, Doug has developed a reputation for being one of the most passionate, dedicated, courageous, and successful criminal justice attorneys in California. He has tried well over a hundred jury trials in both State and Federal courts, has been selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association to be part of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California, has been designated by his peers to be a Super Lawyer since 2009, is a State Bar of California Certified Specialist in Criminal Law, and is featured in the Netflix documentary American Nightmare. Over the last thirty-five years, Doug has had the pleasure of representing professional athletes from all major Bay Area sports teams, a state senator, a Director of the California PUC, an ambassador to a foreign nation, several CEO’s of household-name corporations, judges, one of the country’s most prominent criminal defense attorneys, the Hells Angeles, many doctors, lawyers and other licensed professionals as well as countless other individuals, all of whom are facing potentially life-changing consequences.

It is because of these consequences that each of Doug’s clients is as important to him as the next regardless of his, her or their position or the notoriety of the case. Doug understands that each client and their families are all experiencing fear, trauma, anxiety and he takes pride in helping them through this process as well as achieving the absolute best possible result.

Doug has extensive experience in every type of criminal and criminally-related case in state and federal courts, has argued appeals in the Court of Appeal and in the California Supreme Court, represents both defendants and victims and has a specialty in the overlap between criminal and family law where claims of domestic violence and abuse have dramatic consequences for custody and spousal support.

For an example of Doug’s cases and the outcomes, please see the “Representive Cases” tab and the “Gratitude” tab to read what his clients have said to him in appreciation for his commitment to improving their lives and keeping them safe and free.