Douglas Dawson Guy, Construction Attorney in San Diego, California
Over 41 years of legal practice · focused on Construction, Elder Law, and Employment · 4.5/5 rating from 4 verified client reviews
Managing PartneratGates, O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy, L.L.P.
San Diego, CA
Practicing construction in San Diego since 1985.
- 41+
- Years practicing
- 4.5 ★
- 4 client reviews
Are you Douglas Dawson Guy?
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Quick answer
Douglas Dawson Guy is a managing partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Construction, Elder Law, and Employment. Douglas has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gates, O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy, L.L.P.. Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 4 client reviews.
- Based in
- San Diego, CA
- Experience
- over 41 years
- Known for
- Construction · Elder Law · Employment
- Handles Construction, Elder Law, and Employment matters from San Diego, CA.
- Over 41 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with BV Distinguished.
About Douglas Dawson Guy: Douglas Dawson Guy is a managing partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Construction, Elder Law, and Employment. Douglas has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gates, O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy, L.L.P.. Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 4 client reviews.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Douglas takes on
Douglas concentrates on construction, elder law, employment, general, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Douglas handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Construction
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Elder Law
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Employment
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General
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Litigation
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Nursing Home
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Personal Injury
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Probate
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Construction cases in San Diego, California
Douglas takes construction matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
Elder Law cases in San Diego, California
Douglas takes elder law matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in San Diego, California
Douglas takes employment matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
General cases in San Diego, California
Douglas takes general matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Diego, California
Douglas takes litigation matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Douglas agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Douglas Dawson Guy — construction lawyer in San Diego
Douglas Dawson Guy is a managing partner based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Construction, Elder Law, and Employment. Douglas has over 41 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gates, O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy, L.L.P.. Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 4 client reviews.
Douglas Dawson Guy is a lawyer practicing personal injury, product and warranty liability, general litigation including probate, elder abuse and 2 other areas of law. Douglas received a B.S. degree from Rollins College in 1980, and has been licensed for 41 years. Douglas practices at Gates, O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy, L.L.P. in San Diego, CA.
Douglas's approach to construction cases
Douglas Dawson Guy is a lawyer practicing personal injury, product and warranty liability, general litigation including probate, elder abuse and 2 other areas of law. Douglas received a B.S. degree from Rollins College in 1980, and has been licensed for 41 years. Douglas practices at Gates, O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy, L.L.P. in San Diego, CA.
Clients Douglas works with
Douglas reviews new inquiries case-by-case for construction, elder law, and employment matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Southwestern University School of Law
J.D. · 1984
Rollins College
B.S. Business · 1980
Douglas studied at J.D. in Southwestern University School of Law and B.S. Business in Rollins College.
Law school and academic background
Douglas completed J.D. in Southwestern University School of Law and B.S. Business in Rollins College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Douglas runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Douglas has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
BV Distinguished
Legal awards and honors
BV Distinguished.
Locations
Douglas Dawson Guy's office in San Diego
Douglas's primary office is at 15373 Innovation Dr., Ste. 170, San Diego, CA, 92128. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Gates, O'Doherty, Gonter & Guy, L.L.P.
15373 Innovation Dr., Ste. 170
San Diego, CA 92128
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Douglas Dawson Guy — 4.5/5 rating from 4 verified client reviews
Every review below is from a verified client of Douglas. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing construction attorneys in San Diego.
4.5
4 client reviews
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Douglas Dawson Guy claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Douglas Dawson Guy — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new construction attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Douglas usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Douglas charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Douglas's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Douglas will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a construction attorney in San Diego, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many construction matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Douglas
Douglas discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in construction practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every construction matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Douglas confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Douglas's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many construction practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Douglas Dawson Guy
How much does it cost to hire Douglas for a construction case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Douglas walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Douglas offer a free consultation?
Douglas charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Douglas's office. Some construction attorneys offer free consults — check Douglas's current terms during booking.
How long do construction cases in California typically take?
Simple construction matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Douglas gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Douglas take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
Douglas is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Douglas will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Douglas?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Douglas will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Douglas accepting new construction clients right now?
Douglas's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Construction attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
Douglas handles construction matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified construction attorneys in that community.
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
More counsel
Other top-rated construction attorneys in California
If Douglas's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these construction attorneys in San Diego handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.

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Bobby B. Saadian, Esq.
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Jeffrey Robert Loew
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Steven A. Kronenberg
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