Douglas Smith is a litigation associate in the firm’s Washington, D.C., office. He focuses his practice on employment litigation and counseling, and commercial litigation.

Doug has handled numerous matters involving discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation, wage-and-hour violations, defamation and joint employer liability. He has avoided litigation in many cases by reaching favorable settlements through mediation and negotiation. Where litigation could not be avoided, Doug has represented employers in a range of actions in federal and state courts and government agencies brought by single employees, C-Suite executives, and large classes.

Doug maintains an active pro bono litigation practice, representing clients seeking protective orders in domestic violence cases, asylum in immigration cases and disability benefits in Social Security cases.

Before joining Manatt, Doug served as a law clerk to the Honorable Claude M. Hilton in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, otherwise known as the “Rocket Docket.” Prior to practicing law, Doug served as a legislative adviser to Senator John McCain.

Doug also serves on the board of directors of Jonathan House, a nonprofit organization.