Law Practice Areas

Class Action & Federal Court Litigation

  • Douglas L. Mahaffey has over 30 years’ experience in federal court litigation including multiple group and class action cases involving claims for tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.

    As founder of Mahaffey Law Group, he has successfully resolved many of these cases and is currently co-counsel in the class action case of Hart vs Charter Communications, LACD 8:17-cv-0056-SB involving a nationwide class claim seeking tens of millions of dollars for consumers suffering failed internet speeds, is lead counsel in a Middle District Florida case entitled Roadwire Leather, LLC vs Katzkin, 6:18-CV-01237 involving a 100 million dollar industry litigation matter between two competitors, is counsel in two pending intellectual property claims in Los Angeles Central District involving alleged trademark violation claims, and has substantial federal court bankruptcy experience in California, Oklahoma, Minnesota involving a claim against the Prince Estate, and in New York where Mahaffey Law Group received federal court terminating sanctions against the opposing party and their attorney.

    Mahaffey Law Group prefers federal court and believes the Electronic Information (ESI) discovery is much stronger in federal court. Mahaffey Law Group has obtained forensic imaging orders in multiple cases and has utilized these tools to get the truth, which often is in deleted text messages and emails.

    Mahaffey Law Group relentlessly seeks justice based on a God fearing approach to every case.

Corporate Law

  • Corporate Law Services From An Experienced Orange County Firm.

    Mahaffey Law Group in Newport Beach, has provided knowledgeable legal counsel to companies in Orange County and throughout Southern California since 1990. Led by founding attorney Douglas Mahaffey, our firm has established itself as a client-focused law firm that provides personalized and personable guidance to businesses of all sizes.

    We have established a strong record of positive results in complex business litigation and real estate litigation matters, but our attorneys also routinely work with businesses on a wide range of transactional law and in niche practice areas. These include:

    - Business formation — Helping corporate clients select a business entity that provides the most protection against personal liability and the best tax advantages.


    - Creditor/debtor workouts — Helping distressed companies restructure debt, or advocating for lenders or other creditors within the bankruptcy process or outside of bankruptcy.


    - Trust/probate litigation — Representing corporate clients and individual beneficiaries, executors, and trustees in probate and trust litigation.

    - Entertainment law — Providing comprehensive legal counsel in contract negotiation, intellectual property protection and all aspects of entertainment law.

    Church and nonprofit foundation law — Assisting religious organizations and nonprofit entities with incorporation, establishment of tax-exempt status, compliance with federal and state regulations, and all types of litigation

    Work With Lawyers Who Live And Breathe Corporate Law

Real Estate Litigation

  • Real Estate Litigators Serving Orange County And Beyond

    Even in today's virtual business environment, decisions regarding real estate are often among the most important issues that a company faces. Because investments in real estate are so significant, when disputes arise, it is critical to have an experienced legal team in place to protect your rights and find the most effective and expedient resolution.

    At Mahaffey Law Group in Newport Beach, we assist clients in Orange County and throughout Southern California with a wide range of complex real estate litigation.

    Led by founding attorney Douglas Mahaffey, we represent businesses, real estate developers, contractors, lenders, title companies, property owners and others in the full spectrum of real estate litigation, including:

    - Title/conditional use permit litigation — Quiet title actions, access rights, tenant-in-common litigation, joint tenancy disputes and more

    - Developer/real estate investor litigation — Helping landowners resolve disputes and maximize the value of the property they own

    - Trust/probate litigation — Representing trustees who face charges of breach of fiduciary duty and other legal challenges

    - Complex real estate law — Including zoning and land use disputes

    - Environmental cleanup litigation — Representing clients facing litigation regarding regulatory environmental issues, water claims, wetland compliance, alleged environmental contamination, natural resources issues and more

    Legal Guidance That Is Tailored To Your Needs.

    Mahaffey Law Group prides itself on providing legal counsel that is customized to each client's unique needs. Our decades of experience add value to our services, but we are careful to avoid cookie-cutter strategies. Our lawyers invest the time to discover and prioritize each client's objectives and develop a strategy accordingly.


    The first step to resolving your real estate matter is to schedule a free consultation in which we can review the facts of your case and recommend the best course of action.

    Call 949-833-1400 or use our online contact form to schedule a meeting.

Church & Nonprofit Foundation Law

  • Experienced Orange County Church And Nonprofit Business Lawyers
    Churches and nonprofits in California encounter a wide variety of legal needs that are unique to their operation, including incorporation as a nonprofit organization or religious association, and the establishment of federal and state tax-exempt status. Mahaffey Law Group in Newport Beach has extensive experience in this complex area of law.We work with a broad spectrum of nonprofit entities, including:

    Churches and schools
    Nonprofit foundations
    Charitable enterprises

    A Commitment To Justice

    Our firmwide commitment to producing positive results while adhering to a strong faith and the highest ethical standards serves us well in our work with church and nonprofit clients, as well as all of our corporate law clients.

    Founding attorney Douglas Mahaffey has led the charge in establishing a close working relationship with attorneys across the country and acting as lead council, has become a trusted adviser and advocate for all kinds of religious, charitable and philanthropic organizations. Our firm has served as counsel on cases involving churches and nonprofit organizations. Among the notable clients that we represent through this partnership is Trinity Broadcasting Network, the world’s largest religious television network.
    Assisting With Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Status And More

    We assist with establishment of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and compliance. Nonprofit incorporation in California requires filing the proper forms with four government agencies: the California Secretary of State, the California Attorney General, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the California Franchise Tax Board. It is a smart idea to work with a lawyer who is experienced in this process in order to avoid mistakes that could become costly later.

    If you are an established nonprofit, you are aware that there are numerous daily issues that require legal assistance. Too often, churches and other nonprofits attempt to work through complex business issues, tax matters or even potentially litigious situations without assistance from an attorney. We understand that budgets for these organizations are tight, but our experience – and more importantly, the experience of our nonprofit clients – is that involving our firm early in the process often helps avoid more costly legal issues down the road.

Debt Collection Litigation

  • Debt Collection Litigation Lawyer Serving Orange County.

    Business plans are developed on the assumption that customers will pay their bills in a timely fashion. If this does not occur, a business is forced to invest time and money pursuing payment. It becomes a costly distraction that can negatively impact the service you provide to customers who do pay on time. Collecting from creditors is a time-consuming process that commands resources that could be better utilized elsewhere. Mahaffey Law Group in Newport Beach, provides legal counsel in debt collection litigation and creditors' rights issues to businesses in Orange County and throughout Southern California.

    We Understand The Importance Of Timely Creditor Payments.

    Founding attorney Douglas Mahaffey is a successful entrepreneur who has led his own law firm since 1990 and has operated a number of businesses in other industries. He understands the importance of keeping consistently clean books. It allows a company's leaders to focus on business strategies and to be in position to take advantage of opportunities that may require capital investments.

    Our lawyers strive to resolve credit disputes efficiently and cost-effectively. We assist with:

    Collection actions
    Promissory notes
    Levies
    Breach of contract and contract disputes
    Enforcement of mechanic's liens
    Adversary proceedings, preference litigation and other creditors' rights in bankruptcy
    Creditor/debtor workouts
    Debt collection litigation
    Collection of rent from tenants under lease agreements

    Our extensive trial experience sets us apart from other debt collection law firms. If we are unable to reach a fair resolution in your case through negotiation or arbitration, we are prepared to seek proper resolution through a court judgment.

    The First Step Is To Review Your Situation.

    We welcome the opportunity to review your debt collection litigation matter during a free consultation. We will provide a comprehensive summary of your options and recommend the best steps to take. Contact us to schedule a meeting.

Complex Business Litigation

  • Orange County Business Litigation
    The business world is more competitive and more complex than ever. This is reflected in the legal disputes that arise between companies or when a company faces legal action from a customer. Corporate litigation routinely involves multiple parties. If a case goes to trial, hundreds of people may be called to testify and thousands of documents entered as evidence. Mahaffey Law Group in Newport Beach, has extensive experience representing corporate clients in these complex cases. Founding attorney Douglas Mahaffey has represented business clients in numerous complex business litigation matters through to a verdict for nearly 30 years. Only a handful of business litigation lawyers in Southern California have comparable trial experience.

    We represent corporate clients or work with in-house counsel on the majority of our cases, but we will represent individuals on a contingency fee basis in select business litigation matters. Our experience handling both sides of these cases benefits our clients, whether they are plaintiffs or defendants.

    Although the majority of business litigation matters are resolved outside of court, it is critical to work with an attorney who has a proven ability to advocate aggressively on your behalf when a trial is necessary. Our stellar track record in this regard allows us to negotiate from a position of strength. Too many business litigators approach a case looking for a fair compromise. We approach every case intent on pursuing justice for our clients.
    Representing Clients In The Full Range Of Business Disputes

    We represent clients in the full spectrum of business litigation matters, including:

    Creditor bankruptcy litigation
    Business tort litigation
    Oil and gas litigation
    Unfair business practices
    Breach of contracts
    Real estate disputes, including easement disputes, environmental cleanup and title disputes
    Partnership and shareholder disputes
    Debt collection litigation
    Insurance bad faith
    Employment and labor disputes

    We proudly offer a level of legal representation that is more commonly found at large firms, while maintaining a focus on personal attention that is more typical of boutique firms. With an understanding that litigation interrupts the normal course of business, we focus on finding effective solutions in a timely manner.

Personal Injury Defense


  • Personal Injury Defense In Orange County.


    Because it's not unusual to have $1 million or more at stake in a personal injury lawsuit, it is critical to enlist the services of an attorney who has extensive experience with a wide variety of personal injury claims. Douglas Mahaffey, founding attorney of Mahaffey Law Group in Newport Beach, cut his teeth on personal injury cases nearly three decades ago. In 1986, four weeks into his legal career, Mr. Mahaffey tried a two-week jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court representing a defendant in a personal injury case. He has since handled hundreds of complex personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, including many that went to trial.Currently, our firm focuses on representing defendants in personal injury lawsuits. But our lawyers' experience handling both sides of these cases allows us to accurately assess each case on its own merits and develop the best legal strategy for our clients.

    Protecting Your Bottom Line Is Our Top Priority.

    A personal injury claim can severely impact your company's bottom line. Our firm works with insurance companies and businesses in Orange County and throughout Southern California in first-party and third-party disputes. We have the resources necessary to thoroughly investigate the facts behind a claim to determine whether to negotiate an agreement that limits a client's liability or pursue dismissal of the case.

    We have extensive experience in the full range of personal injury cases, including:

    Motor vehicle accidents
    Premises liability
    Construction liability
    Product liability
    Medical and other professional malpractice
    Employer liability

    Put A Proven Insurance Defense Law Firm On Your Side.

    We welcome the opportunity to review the facts of your case during a free consultation.

    We will provide a candid assessment and recommend the best steps to take. Contact us to schedule a meeting.