Frederick A. Douglas

Frederick A. Douglas focuses on trial and appellate litigation. During his more than 30 years as a practicing attorney, Mr. Douglas has been lead trial counsel in more than 250 trials in the federal and state courts. He has argued more than 40 appeals before federal and state appellate courts on both criminal and civil matters. Mr. Douglas is AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, the definitive guide to the most distinguished lawyers and law firms in America.

Civil Practice

Mr. Douglas has successfully defended and prosecuted civil actions involving:

• Federal constitutional claims
• Discrimination allegations (individual and class claims)
• Federal housing statutes and regulations
• Securities rules, regulations and statutes; and enforcement investigations and actions
• Government contracts
• Negligence claims involving property damage or loss of life

Recent published decisions in Mr. Douglas’ appellate cases include:

• United States ex rel. Davis v. District of Columbia, 679 F.3d 832 (D.C. Cir. 2012);
• Robinson v. D.C. Housing Authority, 660 F. Supp. 2d 6 (D.D.C. 2009)
• Anderson v. District of Columbia Housing Authority and Olaremi Abidoye, 923 A.2d 853 (DC 2007)
• Calloway v. District of Columbia Housing Authority, 916 A.2d 888 (DC 2006)
• Scarborough v. Winn Realty 890 A.2d 249 (DC 2006)
• District of Columbia Water & Sewer Authority v. Hampton, et al., 851 A.2d 410 (DC 2004)
• C&E Services, Inc. of Washington v. District of Columbia Water & Sewer Authority, 354 U.S. App. D.C. 1, 310 F.3d 197 (DC Cir. 2002)
• Kelsey et al v. Ray et al., 719 A.2d 1248 (DC 1998)

He has also represented clients before federal, District of Columbia, and Maryland administrative agencies.

Criminal Practice

A former federal prosecutor, Mr. Douglas maintains a criminal defense practice focusing on internal investigations and defense of fraud allegations.

Select Clientele

• National accounting firm
• Washington, DC brokerage firm
• District of Columbia government
• Independent authorities of District of Columbia government
• District of Columbia Public Housing Authority
• District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
• Several churches and affiliated religious organizations
• Nonprofit entities in fraud investigations initiated by state and federal agencies

Legal Experience

• Private practice, 1982 – present
• Founding member, Douglas & Boykin PLLC, 2003
• Federal government employment, 1974-1982
  • Supervisory trial attorney
    Enforcement Division
    Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
    Washington, DC
  • Assistant chief trial attorney
    Office of Enforcement
    Securities and Exchange Commission
    Washington, DC
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney
    U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia
    Washington, DC

Lecturer

• American Bar Association, annual conference
• District of Columbia Bar Association, trial advocacy
• Housing Development Legal Institute, panelist at annual conference
• National Business Institute, “How to Litigate Your First Civil Trial in Washington, DC”
• National Business Institute, “Deposition Practice in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia”
• National Institution of Trial Advocacy, advanced course
• The George Washington University National Law Center, criminal law and procedure

Professional Affiliations

• Chairman, District of Columbia Securities Advisory Committee, 1998; Member, 1991-1992
• District of Columbia Court of Appeals Unauthorized Practice Committee, 1995-1997
• Board of Directors, District of Columbia Bar Association, 1994-1996
• Bar Association of the District of Columbia, Ethical Rules Committee, 1995
• Leadership Washington, Class of 1997
• Member, Board of Directors, Council on Court Excellency, 1998-Present

Bar Memberships

• U. S. Supreme Court
• U. S. Circuit Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia, Second, Third, Fourth, and Eleventh Circuits
• U. S. District Courts for the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
• Court of Appeals of New York
• District of Columbia Court of Appeals

Education

• J. D., New York University School of Law, 1973
• B. A., Fordham University, cum laude, 1969