Douglas Hatherley
Certified Family Law Specialist at The Hatherley Firm, Inc.
Douglas A. Hatherley is a Certified Family Law Specialist and the founding attorney of The Hatherley Firm, Inc., a family law practice based in Irvine, California. He represents clients throughout Orange County in matters involving divorce, custody and visitation, support, domestic violence, paternity, and complex property division.
Mr. Hatherley earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. During law school, he externed for a judge in the Los Angeles Superior Court’s Family Law Division and served as Senior Production Editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Review.
He has practiced family law exclusively since his admission to the California Bar. Mr. Hatherley previously worked at respected firms throughout Southern California and was a partner at one of Orange County’s leading family law firms. He is known for his strategic, well-prepared advocacy and his ability to guide clients through emotionally complex disputes with clarity and care.
Mr. Hatherley has earned recognition in Super Lawyers Southern California, Super Lawyers Rising Stars, and The Best Lawyers in America. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest level of peer-reviewed professional excellence. He was also selected for inclusion in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide to Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers – Orange County, a distinction based on peer nomination and demonstrated expertise. His work has been featured in the Daily Journal.
He is a graduate of the National Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute (NFLTI) in Houston, Texas, the foremost litigation training program for family law attorneys, and a former member of the Executive Committee of the Orange County Bar Association’s Family Law Section.
- University of California - Berkeley
- B.A. | Political Science
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- Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
- J.D.
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- Certified Family Law Specialist
- The Hatherley Firm, Inc.
- - Current
- Family Law Attorney
- Stegmeier, Gelbart, Schwartz & Benavente, LLP
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- Family Law Attorney
- Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC
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- Associate Attorney
- Dishon & Block, APC
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- Associate Attorney
- Law Offices of Korol and Velen
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- Associate Attorney/Law Clerk
- Law & Mediation Offices of Pauline Rosen
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- Judicial Extern
- Los Angeles Superior Court
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- Judicial Extern in the Family Law Division for the Honorable Harvey A. Silberman in the Central District.
- Law Clerk
- Law Offices of Diana P. Zitser, APC
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- Support Payments and that Big Year-End Bonus
- Daily Journal
- Unrealized Expectations May Justify Spousal Support Modification
- Daily Journal
- Certified Family Law Specialist
- California Board of Legal Specialization
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Best Lawyers
- Southern California Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers
- AV Preeminent
- Martindale-Hubbell
- The Best Lawyers in America
- Best Lawyers
- California
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- Credit Cards Accepted
- Family Law
- Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Divorce
- Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights
- Website
- Orange County Family Law Attorney