Richard E. Doran
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.
Credentials
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)
Education
- J.D., Stetson University College of Law, 1981
- B.A., Bethany College, W. VA., 1978
Practices
- Administrative Law and Government Affairs
- Antitrust and Trade Regulation
- Appellate Practice
- Ethics and Elections
- Government Contracts and Bid Protests
- Litigation
Community Involvement
- 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
Awards & Recognition
- 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
