As a former Florida Attorney General, Richard Doran focuses his practice on state government regulation and civil litigation, represents clients in matters investigated by state attorneys general, and advises on Florida constitutional and statutory law issues.
Former Florida Attorney General, Richard Doran's practice focuses on state government regulation and civil litigation. He represents individuals and business in consumer protection matters including UDTPA, advertising substantiation and negative options, civil and administrative Medicaid Fraud cases and other government regulatory matters.
Richard frequently represents business clients in matters investigated by the Florida Attorney General's Office and multi-state investigations by state attorneys general. He also advises clients on Florida constitutional and statutory law issues.
Additionally, Richard is counsel of record in over two hundred reported appellate cases.
Prior to his appointment as Attorney General by Governor Jeb Bush, Richard had twenty years of government service including five years as Chief Deputy Attorney General. As Chief Deputy, Richard supervised the efforts of approximately 450 Assistant Attorney Generals, managed the daily operation of the office and oversaw all major litigation such as the state's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft and hundreds of consumer fraud investigations including investigations of Ford Motor Company, Rite Aid, MCI, Firestone and BankOne. He also oversaw the office’s legislative agenda and was the principal liaison with the Governor’s Office and the other elected Cabinet offices of the Comptroller, Treasurer, Secretary of State, Education Commissioner and Agriculture Commissioner.
From 1995 through 1997, Richard served as General Counsel of the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services and was a key participant in carrying out the legislative directive to split the massive agency into the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
From 1990 through 1995, he served as Assistant Deputy Attorney General supervising the Criminal Appeals Division and Civil Litigation Divisions and serving as a member of the Attorney General’s Legal Opinions Committee.
Appellate Advocacy:
Delisle v. Crane Co.,258 So.3d 1219 ( Fla. 2018). As counsel for respondent Crane, Doran advocated for a rejection of Florida’s antiquated “Frye Test” for evaluation of the qualifications of proposed expert witnesses and adoption of the “Daubert” standard established by the United States Supreme Court. Although the Florida Supreme Court rejected our position in a 4-3 opinion, it reversed itself a few months later and adopted the Daubert standard via amendment to the Florida Rules of Evidence. Richard’s oral argument may be viewed here at the 28:22 mark:
State Attorney General Practice:
Successful resolution, via settlement, of a false claims action brought on behalf of a state agency in 2019. This was a bet the business case for the client due to the potential of eight figure damages and penalties and, more critically, debarment from future state contracting. Richard was retained at the eleventh hour after the state broke off negotiations and demanded trial. Through intensive communication with the state’s lawyers, Richard was able to assist the client and their national counsel by getting the matter back on a settlement track and ultimately resolving it to the client’s satisfaction.
Successful resolution, via settlement, of state attorneys general multi-state antitrust investigation of pharmaceutical company for alleged “pay for delay” agreement in 2018. The states claimed the company violated antitrust laws by paying or incentivizing a generic drug maker to delay entry into the drug market or from researching, developing, manufacturing, marketing or selling any drug product. Initial monetary demand was an eight-figure sum. Working as part of a team of lawyers from three other national law firms, we resolved the matter without payment of any fines or damages and obtained “global peace” from the states.
Over twenty years of representation of business clients in hotel, rental car, music streaming, real estate, retail sales, pharmaceutical, bio-agricultural, for-profit educational and medical services in consumer protection investigations.
Government Regulatory Practice:
Successful defense of Florida Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp in 2009 from a complaint that he violated the Florida Ethics Code. Case was dismissed pre-hearing after Richard and his partner outlined a carefully crafted defense to the prosecuting attorney.
Kottkamp hires high-powered legal duo to defend him in ethics case - Sun Sentinel (sun-sentinel.com)
Education
- Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 1981
- Bethany College, W. VA., B.A., 1978
Bar Admissions
- State of Florida (1981)
- United States Supreme Court (1986)
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals (1984)
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, (1987)
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida (1983)
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (1987)
- First District Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission 2015-2022 (Chair 2019-2020)
- Second Judicial Circuit Court Judicial Nominating Commission 2005-2011 (Chair 2006-2007 and 2010-2011)
- Chair, Florida Bar Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee 2003-2004
- Florida Bar Special Committee on Criminal Justice 2019-2021
- Florida Bar Judicial Evaluation Committee
- Florida Bar Judicial Administration, Selection and Tenure Committee
- Florida Bar Professional Ethics Committee
- American Bar Association, Section of Antitrust and Consumer Protection 2003-2022
- The Federalist Society 2002-present
- Governor-Elect Charlie Crist's transition team 2006-2007
- Director, Rainbow Rehab (Non-profit focused on affordable housing) 2003- 2009
- Suwannee River Area Council, Boy Scouts of America 2005-Present
- Leadership Florida Class XXIII
- Recipient, Francis X. Bellotti Award by the National Association of Attorneys General/Society of Attorneys General Emeritus 2015
- AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1992
- Florida Trend Magazine Legal Elite - 2008, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018
- District Award of Merit, Boy Scouts of America - 2009
- Best Lawyers in America 2023, 2024 - Administrative/Regulatory Law and Government Relations Practice