michael doukas

“THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM” –Mike enjoys fighting his client’s battles against all comers–major banks, attorneys, debt collectors, major corporations. It doesn’t matter who is against him.

Attorney Doukas advises or negotiates to resolve business problems.

Presently, he focuses primarily on consumers where he advises on issues of debt settlement especially if a consumer has been sued in debt collection lawsuits, on suspected abuse from creditors and debt collectors, suspected victims of identity theft, and helps clients who have credit report inaccuracies.

Some people who are sued by creditors want to represent themselves, Attorney Doukas helps such Defendants represent themselves with his advice on an “as needed” basis. Many times he helps them decide what is best. He can settle cases for them. Mr. Doukas finds this kind of supportive, limited-scope representation very satisfying

He has enjoyed the confrontation and the problem solving inherent in litigation or disputes, and the eventual constructive results that are clearly produced, often times on behalf of the “little guy.” Experience has taught him, true success lies in win-win solutions and resolving a client’s problems so they can move on with life.

Mike Doukas has successfully litigated several consumer Class Actions with co-counsel Barry Mills of  The Law Office of Barry D. Mills, P.C. The most memorable was a multi-case, 11-year crusade against Volkswagen that started in federal court and was finally resolved successfully in San Diego Superior Court in 2016. Mike can provide trusted referrals in this area, but currently performs no class action services himself.

To better serve the public, Mike has begun offering Defendants in debt collection lawsuits help in resolving their cases on a flat fee basis. If a consumer prefers, Mike will settle the case for a payment plan or discounted lump sum without the need to otherwise litigate. This has turned out to be a very successful tool for individuals who cannot afford full time representation, but aren’t willing to give up from the get-go by failing to show up and respond or simply settle their case.

He has litigated extensively in state and federal court since 1996. In fact, he has litigated over 50 consumer cases in U.S. District Court here in San Diego.

However, one case, Thies v. Law Offices of William A. Wyman, et al. (S.D. Cal., July 23, 1997) 969 F.Supp. 604, changed the landscape for collecting delinquent HOA fees in California in a big way. Federal Judge Rudi Brewster held that the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. §§1692 et. seq.) applies to the collection of delinquent homeowner association fees, and the lawyers and property managers who collect them. It was never appealed and stands today.

Mike has also served as a Pro Tem Judge in Small Claims Court for the San Diego Superior Court in Vista.

He is admitted to practice in all the courts of the State of California, the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

North County Bar Association

NCBA blueMike Doukas served on the Board of Directors of the North County Bar Association for a three year term from 2013 through 2015. He was elected to serve as Treasurer for 2015, also serving as a Vice President of the Board of Directors in his final year on the Board.

Education

Mike has a Bachelor’s Degree from McDaniel College in Maryland. Further, he has a Master of Science in Technology of Management from The American University, Washington DC, 1979. He is also an alumnus of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1974, and a Lifetime Member of the USNA Alumni Association.

Mike obtained his law degree from the California Western School of Law in 1994.

Prior Career

Prior to practicing law, Mike Doukas had a career for over ten years in Washington, DC, employed primarily by an independent Air Force agency associated with Scott Air Force Base. This Air Force agency, however, was housed above a Chinese restaurant in Franconia Center near Springfield Mall in Northern Virginia (a fact that caused endless amusement and speculation).

Mike and his colleagues were retained on a project basis as consultants by various federal agencies throughout the United States, but primarily by the management of headquarters agencies in the DC area. He and his colleagues were known for applying operations research methodologies –specifically simulation and modeling– to technology issues. The result of such consultations was a final report officially issued by the Air Force with specific conclusions and recommendations. Such reports were used by high-level government officials to justify mission-critical decisions. Mike’s Directorate employed computer simulation and queuing theory as a starting point.

Mike eventually managed project teams composed of civilians and Air Force Officers authorized by interagency agreements. Projects he managed included as clients: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; and Navy, Air Force, and Army organizations. He also was a consultant on a large project for the IRS.

His first client on behalf of the Air Force was as a consultant to NASA.

In due course, Mike also procured and managed contracts for private sector expertise in support of these agencies through the competitive bidding process.

In 1982, his organization was awarded the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award while he was on-board.

Sometime in the late 1980’s, his agency was transferred to the General Services Administration as the original Air Force mission was considered completed. He left federal employment sometime thereafter. During his career in Washington DC, he also worked in the private sector for ARINC Research Corporation.

During the 1970s, Mike was employed by Westinghouse Defense Systems Center to design and program the range rate display of the on-board, computerized weapon system of the F4-F fighter plane as part of Project Peace Rhine, a joint effort of the US Air Force and the German Air Force. Additionally, he was responsible for analyzing the algorithms and logic of the weapon system software employing fault-tree analysis and computer simulation to uncover potential software-related safety issues prior to implementation and operational testing.

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