An Interview With Attorney Doug Fox: An Atlanta Area Litigator

Since 1995, attorney Doug Fox has been providing legal counsel and advice to clients in the greater Atlanta communities. As the founder of Fox Firm, P.C., he focuses his litigation practice on providing criminal defense services for clients accused of crimes and family law services for clients navigating divorce and other family law issues.

What made you want to become a lawyer?

I was inspired by the strength and courage Atticus Finch showed in the book, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” in beating back an obvious injustice by relying only on rational thought and dedication to principle.

In your opinion, what sets your firm apart from the rest?

The simple answer is my honest care and concern for my clients. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach at other firms, my legal strategies are tailored to each client’s individual circumstances. By paying attention to every detail, I am able to accurately develop a winning case plan. When settlement talks break down, my clients can confidently rely on my significant courtroom experience. Outperforming another attorney in the courtroom can make a big difference in the outcome of a case.

Can you tell us about a case that you are particularly proud of?

I am proud anytime a client feels they were served well. Obviously, proving my client’s innocence in the face of false claims or charges is very satisfying. I am gratified in cases when I help a parent push back against another parent who has either unfairly tried to limit my client’s role in their child’s life or has sought to use the child’s relationship with my client as some pawn in a game. Reshaping the attitude of an opposing spouse (or ex-spouse) who refuses to treat the other spouse with due respect is also gratifying.

What steps do you take to prepare for a difficult case?

“Difficult” cases really only become more difficult than what might seem like “easy” cases if either opposing counsel or the client is particularly difficult. In each case, I try to ensure that each and every client understands what the process will be and what the likely range of outcomes is. I reassure my clients that I will do a good and thorough job for them. It is important for them to have confidence in their lawyer. Cases that involve an extensive amount of information or have a large number of issues are more difficult in the sense that they require the expenditure of more time in order to harvest the set of facts necessary to tell an accurate story.

What advice do you most often give to your clients and why?

I often tell clients to take the high road whenever possible. In the end, a party who has shown that they can act in good faith stands to be rewarded with the right results over the long haul. Also, I try to remind my clients not to take the claims made in legal pleadings too personally. I want them to understand that either opposing counsel or the other party is likely just posturing.

How do you view your role in the attorney-client relationship?

I find that I am most successful when I can empathize and identify with my client’s situation. Caring about a client’s well-being, in addition to caring about doing a good job in general, allows me to be most effective. To this extent, my role as a lawyer is like that of a personal counselor. Many of my clients come to me when they are in the middle of very difficult and stressful situations. Not only do I want my clients to know that their cases will be handled properly, but I would also like to help them gain some peace of mind, no matter what the subject of their case may be.

From an operational standpoint, I see my role as an attorney to be similar to that of a quarterback. After identifying my team’s strengths and weaknesses (i.e., investigating the case and ascertaining client objectives), I design a game plan that I think will win. Then, I go out on the field to execute the game plan. I need my teammates (i.e., my client and/or their family) to perform well. Sometimes, during the course of the game, I see the need to make adjustments. When that happens, I can read the defense, rely on my preparation and call an “audible” to keep the ball (i.e., my client’s objective) moving down the field.

Tell us about a turning point in your career?

In the family law arena, two cases, both in the same year, flipped important switches for me.The first involved an abused spouse whose husband had successfully convinced my client for years that she deserved the violence and that vocalizing the violence in her household would result in her losing custody of her children. Though both of these threats from my client’s husband were pure nonsense, my client was terrified of standing up for what was right due to her fear of her husband’s retribution. Fortunately, she trusted my assurances that I could break the cycle of fear and violence and achieve escape velocity for her and her children. Through several means of legal maneuvers (with the aid of photos my client had stockpiled over the years), we litigated to a result that insulated my client from future violence and allowed her and her children to begin a new life. Seeing how an abused spouse could be hesitant to separate from a monster was eye-opening.

Later that year, I represented a father whose ex-wife had undertaken numerous efforts to block my client from seeing his children by lodging police and court claims that my client was abusing their children, sexually and otherwise. Mother’s history of lying, her curious narrative of the sex abuse, the absence of police charges, and Mother’s tendency to restrict my client’s visitation despite the court-ordered parenting plan raised severe doubts about the credibility of Mother’s claims. Still, my client could not see his children, which was agonizing. Fortunately, each of the judges in the venues we used to fight back against Mother blocking my client’s visitation agreed that Mother had fabricated her claims. My client’s parenting time was reinstated, he received make-up time, and Mother was excoriated by the Courts in contempt of court rulings. Unfortunately, my client could not take permanent custody of his children, so we didn’t pursue a change of custody. Seeing the lengths a mother might go to unjustifiable stop the father parent from seeing his own children was shocking at the time. Sadly, I see parents like that on a somewhat regular basis.

Before that, iIn my first year of practicing law, I tried my first felony case before a jury and received a “not guilty” verdict. The positive impact on my client’s life was immeasurable. While the case turned out to be pretty weak once the witnesses began to testify, I believe that I won because I was better prepared than my opposing counsel. I was also very passionate about making sure that the rational result also became the actual outcome. When I saw the impact I could have, I was hooked. This taste of the fruits of passion and preparation from that first criminal defense case propelled me into a successful family law and domestic relations and personal injury practice as well.

How long have you been practicing law?

I began practicing law immediately after I graduated from law school at the University of Georgia. I have been practicing law since May 1995. You can read more about my background experience on my attorney profile page.

Why should a prospective client choose to work with you and your firm?

Since it is a matter of personal pride for me that I have satisfied clients, they can rest assured that not only do I care about accomplishing their objectives but I also care about their personal welfare. Prospective clients should also know, however, that caring is not enough. I can only find success if I value attention to detail and use my extensive experience and well-sharpened courtroom skills to design and execute a strategy that is based on the realities of each client’s particular situation. Prospective clients should also be confident that since it is very important to me that I guard my reputation, my intent in representing them will be to serve them well, thereby enhancing my reputation rather than detracting from it. Even though it is impossible to win every case, I do not overpromise; nor will I underdeliver.

Schedule A Consultation With An Experienced Litigator

At Fox Firm, P.C., prospective clients can meet with attorney Fox for a confidential, no-obligation initial consultation. During this meeting, they will have a chance to discuss the details of their specific cases. Attorney Fox can answer your questions about him and the services he provides. To schedule an appointment, call 770-341-4882 or send a message through the firm’s website.