Doug deVries became a full-time mediator in 2011, following 35 years of experience litigating complex cases at both the trial and appellate court levels in State and Federal courts. Doug's areas of expertise include insurance coverage and bad faith, major personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, employment, commercial, and other complex cases. He has 30 years of experience as a mediator, arbitrator, and settlement conference Judge Pro Tem in various courts and programs in Northern CA.
His strengths include the ability to listen and communicate in a highly effective manner (including circumstances involving strong personalities and emotionally charged issues), and to fully understand and thoroughly analyze complex legal and factual issues. Over the years, he has been selected to mediate complex cases, including mass tort property damage insurance disputes, and developed a statewide reputation for being one of the "go to" mediators for insurance coverage, ERISA, and bad faith.
Doug's skills are highly respected by both sides of the bar, as evidenced by the glowing recommendations he receives from plaintiff attorneys and defense attorneys alike. One attorney commented, "he makes both sides feel like winners - prodigious people skills, superb powers of persuasion, uncommon common sense, and keen insight into the thinking of plaintiffs and defendants alike." Another attorney said, "He's a direct, fair, and honest guy, and a quick study and deep thinker - he gets it."
Aside from the law, Mr. deVries enjoys traveling, golfing and cooking.
"Mr. Devries did a good job of managing everybody. I would recommend him in the future.
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- Attorney on an Insurance Bad Faith case
"Took a creative approach to breaking the logjam in parties’ positions. Stuck to principled positions in the negotiation and not just platitudes to engage with the parties."
- Attorney on an Insurance Coverage dispute
"He brought both his experience in the type of dispute involved as well as the realities of the litigation process into the discussion in a manner that promoted discussion of practical solutions. "
- Attorney on an Insurance Bad Faith Matter
"This was my first time using Doug - I was very happy with his work during the mediation and will definitely use him again."
- Attorney at a Firm Specializing in Insurance Litigation
"Mr. deVries was very thorough in his explanation of the interpretation of particular signals being sent by the opposition and was helpful in developing creative options."
- Attorney on a Personal Injury Auto Matter
"He didn’t give up even when it seemed discouraging at times."
- Attorney on a Premises Liability Dispute
"Doug deVries is in a class by himself as a mediator. He took a great deal of time explaining the realities of the Plaintiffs' chances for recovery in the case, and he was able to relate his own experiences as a trial lawyer, which gave him great credibility. It became obvious to me during the mediation that my own expectations as to recovery were unrealistic, and it takes a well-seasoned, down-to-earth mediator to persuade me. He is also a likable, down-to-earth human being. "
- Attorney on an Insurance Bad Faith case
"Doug is an amazing person and a great mediator."
- Attorney, Long Beach, California
601 S. Figueroa
Ste 3400
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Phone: 213.223.1113
Fax : 213.223.1114
980 9th Street
Suite 2200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.394.8490
Fax : 916.394.8495
402 W. Broadway
Ste 2400
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619.814.1966
Fax : 619.814.1967
100 Pine Street
Ste 1950
San Francisco, CA 94111
Phone: 415.266.1242
Fax : 415.266.1243
1851 East First Street
Ste 1600
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714.834.1340
Fax : 714.834.1344
11601 Wilshire Blvd
Ste 2040
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Phone: 310.442.2100
Fax : 310.442.2125
2023.5.1.12rp