William O. Dougherty, General Attorney in San Diego, California
Over 58 years of legal practice · focused on General, Litigation, and Maritime · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
MemberatDougherty Hildre & Haklar
San Diego, CA
Practicing general in San Diego since 1968.
- 58+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you William O. Dougherty?
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Quick answer
William O. Dougherty is a member based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on General, Litigation, and Maritime. William has over 58 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Dougherty Hildre & Haklar. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Diego, CA
- Experience
- over 58 years
- Known for
- General · Litigation · Maritime
- Handles General, Litigation, and Maritime matters from San Diego, CA.
- Over 58 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About William O. Dougherty: William O. Dougherty is a member based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on General, Litigation, and Maritime. William has over 58 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Dougherty Hildre & Haklar. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
William's practice areas in San Diego
William concentrates on general, litigation, maritime, and personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
General
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Litigation
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Maritime
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Personal Injury
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General cases in San Diego, California
William 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 William agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Diego, California
William 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 William agrees to represent you.
Maritime cases in San Diego, California
William takes maritime 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 William agrees to represent you.
Personal Injury cases in San Diego, California
William takes personal injury 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 William agrees to represent you.
Biography
William O. Dougherty, general attorney serving San Diego
William O. Dougherty is a member based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on General, Litigation, and Maritime. William has over 58 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Dougherty Hildre & Haklar. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review. William works from San Diego, California and takes on general matters across the region.
William O. Dougherty is a lawyer practicing personal injury, litigation, general practice and 1 other area of law. William received a A.B. degree from Stanford University, and has been licensed for 58 years. William practices at Dougherty Hildre & Haklar in San Diego, CA.
How William handles general matters
William O. Dougherty is a lawyer practicing personal injury, litigation, general practice and 1 other area of law. William received a A.B. degree from Stanford University, and has been licensed for 58 years. William practices at Dougherty Hildre & Haklar in San Diego, CA.
The kind of cases William takes
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general, litigation, and maritime matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Credentials — where William studied and practices
Loyola Marymount University
J.D. · 1967
Stanford University A.B.
—
Jurisdictions
William's state bar admissions
California
1968 · ACTIVE
William studied at J.D. in Loyola Marymount University and — in Stanford University A.B..
Law school and academic background
William completed J.D. in Loyola Marymount University and — in Stanford University A.B.. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
William's legal honors and published work
William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
William's professional memberships and bar associations
American Bar Association State Bar of California Consumer Attorneys of California The Association of Trial Lawyers of America Consumer Attorneys of San Diego County American Arbitration Association
membership
Locations
William O. Dougherty's office in San Diego
William's primary office is at 2550 5th Ave., Ste. 600, San Diego, CA, 92103-6624. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Dougherty Hildre & Haklar
2550 5th Ave., Ste. 600
San Diego, CA 92103-6624
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of William O. Dougherty — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing general attorneys in San Diego.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William O. Dougherty claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire William O. Dougherty — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William'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; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a general attorney in San Diego, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many general 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 William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every general 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. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William O. Dougherty
How much does it cost to hire William for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in California typically take?
Simple general 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. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
William 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 — William 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 William?
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. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new general clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
General attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California
William handles general matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general 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
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