Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024 
Douglas A. Hatherley is an Orange County family law attorney and California Certified Family Law Specialist. He is the founder of The Hatherley Firm, Inc., a family law firm in Aliso Viejo, and has practiced family law exclusively since his admission to the bar.
Certification as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California's Board of Legal Specialization requires passing a written examination, demonstrating substantial family law experience, and completing ongoing specialized education. Clients work directly with Mr. Hatherley on matters including:
- Divorce: dissolution of marriage and legal separation, from filing through judgment
- Child custody and visitation: legal and physical custody, parenting plans and visitation schedules
- Child support: establishing and enforcing guideline support
- Spousal support: temporary and long-term support (alimony)
- Property division: community and separate property, including homes, retirement accounts and businesses
- Domestic violence restraining orders: requesting and responding to protective orders
- Post-judgment modification: changing custody, support and other orders after judgment
- Paternity: establishing parentage and the custody and support orders that follow
Before founding his firm, Mr. Hatherley practiced at prominent family law firms across Orange County, the Inland Empire and Los Angeles, and was a partner at a prestigious Orange County family law firm. His family law training began in law school, as a judicial extern in the Family Law Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court, and continued at the National Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute (NFLTI) in Houston, Texas.
Mr. Hatherley is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®, Super Lawyers Southern California (and previously Rising Stars), and Doyle's Guide among the Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers. He holds the AV Preeminent® rating, Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer rating, and a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo, and his work has been featured in the Daily Journal. Read what clients say in his client testimonials.
He shares his knowledge with other lawyers, having co-presented family law seminars for the Orange County Bar Association and published articles in professional publications. He is a former Executive Committee Board member of the Orange County Bar Association's Family Law Section and a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and his J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, where he was Senior Production Editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles International & Comparative Law Review.
From its office at 65 Enterprise, Suite 400, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, the firm serves clients throughout Orange County. If you are looking for an Aliso Viejo divorce lawyer or an Aliso Viejo family lawyer, call (949) 441-1225 or contact the firm to discuss your case.
