Thank you for representing me with respect to settlement of the longstanding incorrect judgment amount with which I have wrestled for almost ten years. You settled in a matter of weeks the situation for which I was not able to gain any satisfaction through my continued and ignored correspondence of the correct case facts. Your fee was reasonable and without surprise. Your work was effective and focused. Your assessment of the situation, your articulation of the alternatives and your recommended course of action were all correct and straightforward. Your follow through to conclusion and the result of your work effort have produced satisfactory results. I regret not having contacted you earlier when perhaps, as you suggested, we could have pursued a Fair Debt Collection violation with strong likelihood of success.This is your second representation of my interests that has produced positive outcome. The first was successful protection against a statute of limitation violation by an aggressive debt holder.I am pleased to speak with prospective clients if that would be helpful to you and to them in their attorney selection process.
Best regards, Malcolm" (Malcolm B.)
"Mike Doukas was thorough from the beginning to the end. He is quick, clear, responsive and gets the job done. I recommend Mike to anyone who has a consumer issue that needs to be rectified quickly and efficiently." (Jennifer G.)
“It is amazing how businesses will go out of their way to take advantage of you and to keep them honest you must put your foot down. I would have not been able to handle this case along without the help of Michael Doukas. Believe me, I tried. Not only that, after calling about five lawyers, Mr. Doukas was the only one willing to work my case. Mr. Doukas recently settled a case for us after Jiffy Lube damaged our 2010 CRV and refused to take responsibility for the damages when we were close to loosing an engine. After speaking with him on the phone for the first time, I felt relieved from my overwhelming frustration. He gave me some great advice and gave me all the information needed to start the process. Mr. Doukas walked me through the case and would always inform me on what was going on. I never had to wonder what was going on because I could trust that he would let me know. He is a great person to talk too; very understanding and informative. Mr. Doukas is a trustworthy and honest attorney who any one can count on getting the problem solved. He is easy to get a hold of, whether it is by phone, text, email or Facebook. I was so excited to find a lawyer like Mr. Doukas. If any one needs a case to be fought, I would highly recommend calling Mr. Doukas.” (Amanda C.)
“I would definitely recommend Mike Doukas. He answered many of my questions and worries on the phone before I even hired him to represent me. Whenever I had questions or worries about my case he would always answer in a professional, timely manner. He kept me updated every step of the way. I never had to wonder what was going on with my case, he always let me know. I would definitely recommend Mike Doukas to anyone who has problems with debt collectors." (Camille P.)
"Michael Doukas has been a tremendous help is reducing, and in some cases, eliminating my credit card debt. His fees are modest and fair. In one instance where the credit card company broke the law by charging an illegal fee, he got my entire debt forgiven at no charge! I know of no one else as knowledgeable in this area of law as Michael Doukas." (J. Sherman)
"An incorrect item on our credit reports was affecting not only our credit but our ability to gain financing for the family business. I spent months trying to track down the culprit and fix our credit. Realizing I couldn't do it myself I contacted Michael Doukas. He took immediate action and didn't stop until our problem was resolved. In a few weeks Michael was able to fix what had been a very long and frustrating ordeal. Thanks Michael!" (Zion P.)
"Michael was extremely easy to deal with, professional, and always followed up in a timely manner. I had tried to resolve my credit issue on my own for the past year to no avail, but when I hired Michael the issue was resolved in less than 30 days. Thanks again." (Karen S.)
"I couldn't have been happier with the results of my case once Michael was involved. I thought I might be able to resolve the legal matter on my own, but realized quickly how important it is to have legal representation. Within days, he was able to come to a settlement on my behalf. He is affordable, knowledgeable, responsive, and thorough which made the stress of dealing with my situation that much easier. I will definitely recommend him to friends and family. Thank you Mike!" (S.H.)
"I want to thank you for your services with this case regarding this collection agency. We were not sure what to do, pay or fight. I am glad that you were referred to us by the San Diego County Bar Association and would recommend you to family, fiends, or anyone that needs civil problems resolved with a consumer problem. Again, thank you for taking this case, you have taken a lot of stress and sleepless nights away for good. I have no problem with you using my name on your web site and again thank every much. With best regards, Joseph M. Barrie (Mike)." (Mike Barrie)
"Mr. Doukas, Thank you so much for your representation and the settlement of my case. After only one phone call to you and a few emails, the case has been settled and I no longer have to worry about being harassed by debt collectors in the future. Thank you for doing this in such a timely and efficient manner. I will definitely refer your services in the future. Thank you again!" (Jonna B.)
"Dear Mr Doukas, Thank you for your counsel and representation. I was foolish to think I could represent myself. The dismissal with prejudice you obtained was incredible. I will always be grateful for your efforts on my behalf. Sincerely, J.D." (J.D.)
"Attorney Michael Doukas is a beacon of light in this age of mediocrity!! His exceptional skill and knowledge in the area of consumer law solved my legal issues quickly. He is more than generous with his time and counsel, available for any question or concern. A truly caring, gifted individual I would highly recommend to anyone." (Katy B.)
"I can't thank Michael Doukas enough for all his help. I had been dealing unsuccessfully for months with a difficult Home Expo account that was damaging my credit. After requesting legal counsel, Michael Doukas responded quickly to my request. He received the documents from me and starting working on my case. His advice was excellent. He kept me updated via emails and telephone calls. After several months he was able to negotiate a settlement with the company and the damaging credit statements were withdrawn from all of the reporting credit agencies! Thank you so much." (M. O.)
"Mr. Doukas made the whole process extremely easy from start to finish. I was very pleased with the outcome of my case and would highly recommend him to any prospective clients." (Theresa S.)
“I worked with Mike for a number of years in a law partnership, and found him to be a highly ethical and effective attorney. He has a creative approach to legal problems, and a real enthusiasm for helping the underdog. I would highly recommend Mike to anyone seeking a conscientious, skilled attorney to resolve their legal problems.” October 13, 2009. (Harold Hewell, Attorney, Hewell Law Firm, from LinkedIn)
“Mike achieves outstanding results for his clients, operates in a transparent fashion (no black box here), and is supremely knowledgeable!! I would refer him to anyone!!” October 13, 2009. Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, High Integrity (Fernando V., from LinkedIn)
“I have recommended Michael to consumers who have been sued. Michael resolved their cases quickly and to the satisfaction of his clients. Michael has great expertise in this area and I will recommend him again.” October 8, 2009. (Elizabeth Arleo,Attorney/Owner, Arleo Law Firm,from LinkedIn)
“I utilized the services of Mr. Doukas after being personally sued two separate times by the same company for about $10k, a company that I didn't know. The first time I utilized the services of a different attorney who had not properly resolved the matter and three years later they were suing me again. The odds were stacked against me, especially because they were this "big business" and I was the little guy. However, after Mr. Doukas pressed the company for more back up and proof and argued for me they all of a sudden backed off and withdrew their suit permanently. Mr. Doukas' help and support will never be forgotten and I would gladly utilize his services again and again. However, I hope that I won't need his services. As the saying goes, it's better to know him and not need him, than need him and not know him.” October 1, 2009. Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value (Jesse H., from LinkedIn)
“Michael Doukas is a gentleman, professional as he is personable. What impresses me most about Michael is that he really cares! I doubt you could find a better attorney and person. What a winner he is!! I love knowing winners--don't you?” October 1, 2009. Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, High Integrity (Roger M., from LinkedIn)
“Mike resolved a legal/financial issue for me last year. It was an extremely difficult time for me, and I truly appreciated his time and care in bringing it to a satisfying conclusion.” September 8, 2009. Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value (Erica B., from LinkedIn)
"Mr.Doukas was a very responsive and dependable attorney who I could count on to represent me in the best possible way. His advice to me was sound and proved to be fruitful. He was exceptional in explaining my options, and his vast experience became obvious when we employed his advice. I cannot say enough about this very professional and seasoned attorney. If you are looking for someone you can count on to get the job done, Mr. Doukas is your man." (Tom B.)
"Michael Doukas represents everything that anyone could hope for in an attorney. He is prompt, fair, effective, and honest. As a service member, it was very impressive to me that when I contacted Mr. Doukas on very short notice, he met with me the same day and took action on my case immediately. His extreme professionalism has made a great impact in my life, as the dismissal of the fraudulent cases against me has caused my credit scores to skyrocket, allowing my wife and I to purchase a home of our dreams." (C.R. Boyer Jr.)
"If you feel that you have been wronged, give Mr. Doukas a call. He will ask the questions and take the burden from you. My experience working with Mr. Doukas far exceeded my expectations, and I never even had to meet with him in person. His number is saved in my phone for whenever I need legal help. Save yourself the time, headache, and money and hire Mr. Doukas. I didn't even spend a penny." (Breezie Castell)
"We retained Michael's services when we were served a summons for a lawsuit from a credit company. We did not know what to do, and he was very helpful and knowledgable in the situation. He kept us updated at every step and helped us immensly. He was worth every penny spent." (Joe B.)
“Mike is a very different and informal type of attorney, he knows what he is doing, but isn’t one of those ‘looking down their noses’ type of attorneys.I searched and searched for an attorney for a while, but none seemed to actually care about the case(s), only about the rewards.Mike was different, and because he was different, he has worked more than one case for me, and each one has resulted in exactly how I wanted them to.
I'll admit, the first time I needed a consumer attorney, I used Google.In the order Google listed the attorneys, I called them.Mike was not first on the sequential list. As I called the other attorneys listed above Mike, I would simply hang up the phone as I felt those attorney only viewed my initial case as simply a job; there was no passion, no fight, and from many attorneys, they simply did not care because there was not as much money involved for them to make.
Mike on the other hand is different.Even for the simplest case (the most recent), there was not much attorney fees to be made by him, after all, I didn't have to pay anything other than the filing fee, and added the fact he waived a LOT of attorney fees, but yet he still took the case on.I guess a person could think that it was because he's worked for me before, but that would be far from the truth, even on my first case he waived fee's and still provided me with a handsome check from the defendant for FDCPA (Fair Debt Collection Practices Act), FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act), and California statute violations.
Although my financial troubles are behind me, should I need, or know anyone in need of an attorney, I would use, or inform those I know, to contact Mr. Doukas.Should Mike tell you that it's a lost case, you can guarantee that he didn't tell you that because there's not enough fees in it (for the defendant to pay) like most other consumer lawyers will tell you, but it'll be because it's not winnable.
I am pleased to not only have Mike as an attorney I can count on, but also call him a friend.You'll feel the same if you take that chance and not hire what Google lists at the top!” (Charles)
"Michael provided enormous assistance in removing debt accrued by unknown parties. He assisted in working through the details associated with the identity theft process, including notifying the appropriate local authorities. He is professional, detail-oriented, and follows through in his efforts to reach a resolution." (Teri)
"Unscrupulous debt collectors are using tactics - sometimes illegal ones - to harass debtors. No one understands the law in this field better than Mike." (Jon)
“I am happy to endorse Mr. Doukas as a satisfied client.” (Bev B.)
Letters of Thanks
Significant Federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Case
I am especially proud of the decision attorney Hal Hewell and I obtained in Thies v. Law Offices of William A. Wyman, et al. (S.D. Cal., July 23, 1997) 969 F.Supp. 604, in which 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.
In fact the case law at the time was essentially against us, and pro-HOA. Prior to this case, HOA attorneys and property managers in California did not have to comply with federal debt collection law when collecting delinquent HOA fees. But, after this case, they did have to comply, and did comply without appeal or opposition. The case changed the way such debts are collected In California immediately and has been cited nationally, and you can read the decision by following the link above.
It was gratifying to be part of a sea change in the law that has had national impact.
PRIMUS Automotive Financial Services, Jaguar Credit Corporation, Ford Motor Credit Company et al. Provide Approximately $8.7 Million in Benefits
This case was brought under California's Vehicle Leasing Act, California Civil Code §§ 2985.7 et seq. and California's Unfair Competitive Law, Business & Professions Code §§17200 et seq. Here are some details of how the case played out.
In concert with several other consumer lawyers, I participated in a most rewarding unfair competition case named, Collins v. Mazda American Credit, California Superior Court, San Diego County, North County Division, Case No. GIN 006106. This case was originally referred by the Lawyer Referral Service of the North County Bar Asociation.
This was a case about faulty notice by defendants of a consumer's rights to redeem a repossessed vehicle. After almost two years, the Collins case was settled in 2001 as a stipulated class action that provided approximately $8.7 million in benefits on for as many as 1,200 California consumers who were car leaseholders and had vehicles repossessed, but were sent technically defective notices of their right to reinstate or redeem.
The settlement compromised and settled all claims against Franklin, Tennessee-based PRIMUS Automotive Financial Services, Inc., Jaguar Credit Corporation, Ford Motor Credit Company, and Ford Motor Company, and all of their affiliated, subsidiary and parent companies. The settlement affected California consumers who entered into lease contracts with Mazda American Credit, Subaru American Credit, America Suzuki Automotive Credit, Lendco Leasing, KIA Financial Services, and Jaguar Credit, subsequently acquired by Primus.
Here was a private attorney general action that worked, contrary to the hype about lawsuit abuse.
Firefighter’s Family Helps the Public Benefit Approximately $3.7 Million
Greg, a firefighter for the California Department of Forestry, Fire Protection Services, purchased an Isuzu Rodeo, financed through Consumer Portfolio Services, Inc. (CPS). Firefighting is tough work, and sometime thereafter, Greg became disabled and was unable to work temporarily. He fell behind in his payments to CPS. In or about April or May 2003, CPS repossessed his Isuzu Rodeo and then sold it at an auction. Then, CPS attempted to collect the deficiency balance, the difference between the amount owed, and the sale proceeds.
Greg found himself at odds with CPS’s internal debt collection practices, which he felt were not appropriate. Attorney Barry Mills and I filed suit against CPS, and others, on November 17, 2004, in Riverside, Case No. INC 047177. Plaintiff alleged violations of California’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, (Civil Code §§ 1788 et seq.); violations of California’s Unlawful Competition Law, (Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 17200 et seq.); and various torts.
Sometime thereafter, CPS cross-claimed against both Greg and his wife Bobbie for the alleged deficiency balance on the Isuzu. A careful examination of the notice used by CPS – to advise Greg and his wife as consumers of their right to reinstate or redeem a repossessed vehicle under California’s Rees-Levering Automobile Sales Finance Act ( “Rees-Levering”), California Civil Code §§ 2981 et seq. – left Barry Mills and I as counsel for the Greg and Bobbie convinced that the notice was defective; and therefore, no deficiency was in fact owed to CPS at all.
After further consideration, Barry Mills and I agreed that it was appropriate to proceed with a cross-claim as a class action with Bobbie as Class Rep since the law supported the action, and the notice was essentially a form notice and had been distributed to any number of consumers. CPS denied any wrong doing, and there was a genuine difference of opinion as to how the law should be applied in the notice to consumers. Nonetheless, CPS's own in-house counsel, Mike Lavin, was wise enought to realize a settlement was most just for all concerned, rather than costly litigation. Barry and I acknowledged CPS's arguments as a valid legal point of view as well, we just disagreed. However, we agreed completely with CPS's counsel that a settlement was more appropriate than further litigation. So, CPS was able to reach a tentative settlement of the Class Member's claims with us early in the case due to the efforts of all counsel.
The Court gave preliminary approval to the settlement on September 29, 2005. The total monetary value of the settlement to Class Members (312 consumers) was approximately $3,699,000. Some of the benefits of this settlement cannot be accurately quantified, but are clearly of significant value to each Class Member. The Court granted final approval on December 9, 2005. The settlement provided that CPS will do the following:
1.For Settlement Class Members who made payment to CPS after receiving a Repossession NoticeLetter: (1) upon receipt of a valid Notice of Claim, CPS will refund all money that the Settlement Class Member paid to CPS after the sale of the repossessed vehicle; (2) waive any alleged deficiency balance owing by the Class Member; and (3) agree not to pursue further collection of the installment sales contract or assign any of its rights in the contract. The total monetary value of the refunds to the Settlement Class is estimated to be $66,000, on a claims made basis.
2. For Settlement Class Members who did not make a payment to CPS after sale of the vehicle serving as security for the Contract: CPS will (1) waive any alleged deficiency balance owing by the Class Member; and (2) agree not to pursue further collection of the installment sales contract or assign any of its rights in the contract. The total monetary value of the alleged deficiency balances to the Settlement Class is estimated to be $3,630,000.
3. For all Settlement Class Members: CPS will request that the Credit Bureaus delete the entire CPS tradeline relating to the Settlement Class Members’ derogatory credit performance, and alleged derogatory performance, from each and every Class Member’s credit report, including all reference to the original repossession. The total monetary value of credit report relief to the Settlement Class is difficult to estimate, but is invaluable, and possibly the most significant benefit for many Class Members.
The reaction of Class Members to the proposed settlement was ecstatic disbelief, especially about the credit report benefit. Class Members called Barry Mills and me asking that we personally thank Bobbie for her willingness to stand up for the class.
I am convinced that settlement of this class action turned out to be a win-win for all parties. There was no need to point the finger constantly and decide who was wrong. Counsel for CPS, in-house counsel Michael Lavin, and Jeff Seewald of McGlinchey Stafford, never ceased to amaze me or Barry Mills with their professionalism and common sense. They were cooperation itself, and we all worked together to produce an acceptable solution for all parties. One positive result of this win-win procedure for CPS was that it got Class Counsel to vet changes to its Rees-Levering notice, that ultimately received the imprimatur of the court in the final settlement documents and orders of the case.
Hopefully, other defense counsel will learn from Mike and Jeff's example. This is how litigation should be conducted, where there is justice done for everyone.
This website provides specific information about Michael Ernest Doukas, Attorney and Counselor, and his law practice, general information of interest to site visitors, and links to other websites. Anyone is permitted to visit and use this site as provided herein for their own research. Unless this office specifically advises a client as part of a written retainer agreement, Mr. Doukas is not your legal representative. This website is not offering you legal advice.
Michael Doukas does not specifically endorse or guarantee the services or products linked to this site to help consumers find information but has found them useful himself.
All endorsements of Mr. Doukas found on this site were prepared by former clients or attorneys themselves and are specific to the facts and circumstances of their legal matters or associations with Mr. Doukas. Results vary with circumstance, and only a case assessment prepared for your specific matter if, or when, Mr. Doukas is retained as counsel by written retainer agreement applies to you.
Any user of this site agrees that federal and California law applies to all matters associated with this website, and that venue for all legal matters is San Diego County, California.
Any site visitor has permission to use the information or links on this site within these limits. If a site visitor cannot agree to the foregoing conditions regarding site use, that visitor does not have permission to use any link, tool, or information provided on this website, and should seek information elsewhere. Questions? Call 858-876-8485 or e-mail Michael Doukas. Thank you!
