Douglas P. Dowd

President

doug@dowdlaw.net

Douglas P. Dowd has practiced law in St. Louis for nearly 43 years. He joined his father, Edward
L. Dowd, Sr., and his brothers Edward L. Dowd, Jr. and James R. Dowd in 1978. Ed Dowd, Jr.
was later appointed United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri and James R. Dowd served as a Circuit Judge for the City of St. Louis from 1979 – 1992. Judge James R. Dowd was later elevated to the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District of Missouri. Edward L. Dowd, Sr. and Douglas P. Dowd formed the professional corporation, Dowd & Dowd, P.C., in 1983. Douglas P. Dowd has appeared in the Supreme Court of Missouri on multiple occasions and has a record of seven wins and two losses. He has also appeared in the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District of Missouri on multiple occasions and has handled cases before the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District. He has also handled multiple cases in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the United States District Court for the Division of Massachusetts, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in Seattle. He has also been admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He was awarded the Lon O. Hocker Trial Lawyer Award from the Missouri Bar in 1988 in recognition of his skills as a trial advocate. He has delivered lectures to various legal societies including The Missouri Bar, The Lawyers Association of St. Louis, The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys on civil procedure, evidence, trial advocacy, extraordinary remedies, case evaluation, trial problems, cross-examination, closing argument and reconstruction evidence. He is currently focusing his practice almost exclusively on legal malpractice cases and is the President of Dowd & Dowd, P.C.

EDUCATION

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. B.A., Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, 1975.
University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. B.A., English, Magna Cum Laude, 1975.
St. Louis University School of Law. J.D., 1978.

HONORS AND AFFILIATIONS

Missouri Bar Lon O. Hocker Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer Award, 1988
Missouri Lawyers Media Awards (MLMA)
Plaintiff’s Attorney with the Largest Reported Verdicts and Judgments – 2016
Plaintiff’s Attorney with a settlement in the top 5 of 2017
Recognized by “The Best Lawyers in America”
Recognized by St. Louis Magazine as a St. Louis Region Top Attorney
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
American Bar Association
Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys
American Association for Justice
Lawyers Association of St. Louis

NOTABLE SETTLEMENTS AND VERDICTS IN AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Legal Malpractice

$9,000,000 - Settlement - Litigation Negligence - failure to properly advise client regarding risks of litigation.
$7,400,000 – Settlement – trial negligence – the largest reported legal malpractice settlement in
Missouri on behalf of the FDIC for failure to move for directed verdict, failure to object to
incompetent evidence of lost-profit damages, and failure to properly advise the client regarding
settlement value.

$7,200,000 – Verdict and Judgment – Verdict for actual and punitive damages – failure to disclose conflict of interest between client and lawyer.

$4,850,000 – Settlement – Lawyer failed to properly analyze adversary spouse’s assets during
discovery.

$3,000,000 – Settlement – immigration law – Lawyer failed to properly process immigration
applications.

$2,500,000 – Settlement – failure to timely file patent application.

$2,400,000 – Settlement – failure to properly process patent application.

$2,100,000 – Settlement – Negligent failure to prove affirmative defenses by failing to engage the appropriate expert.

$1,500,000 – Settlement – Negligent failure to properly re-file previous suit in violation of savings statute resulting in loss of cause of action for personal injuries against a moving company.

$890,000 – Settlement –failure to properly process patent application.

$750,000 – Settlement – failure to inform client of applicable law and risks involved in litigation.

$600,000 – Settlement – estate lawyer’s failure to properly disclose conflict of interest between
residuary legatees.

$450,000 – Settlement – commercial transaction – failure to record security interest in inventory collateral.

$442,500 – Settlement – trial negligence – failure to properly defend a claim against a bank for
cattle rustling by failing to move for directed verdict and failing to file appropriate motions to
prevent the imposition of punitive damages.

$300,000 – Settlement – Patent law – Failure to timely file patent application.

$300,000 – Settlement – Employment Discrimination – failure to properly litigate discrimination claims.

$299,000 – Settlement – Patent law – failure to properly process patent application.

$275,000 - Settlement - Litigation Negligence - failure to properly research, find and assert applicable law.

$270,000 – Settlement – failure to properly draft trust documents.

Confidential – Settlement – Negligent failure to have title search performed in property dispute resulting in unnecessary litigation. 

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

$92,000,000 – Verdict and Judgment – Breach of trust against bank trustee – improper pledging of trust assets as collateral for loan to third party. Douglas P. Dowd and Paul G. Lane of Dowd & Dowd, P.C., were co-counsel with the Dowd Bennett Law Firm in Clayton, Missouri. Confidential settlement after verdict and judgment entered.

$7,200,000 – Verdict and Judgment – breach of fiduciary/ legal malpractice – Verdict for actual
and punitive damages – failure to disclose conflict of interest between client and lawyer.

$1,500,000 – Settlement – accountant’s failure to disclose conflict of interest.

$565,000 – Settlement – failure to advise client of conflict of interest between client and lawyer.

$150,000 – Settlement – Breach of fiduciary duty by stockbroker.

Product Liability

$44,000,000 – Verdict and Judgment – Co-Counsel in pharmaceutical product liability – failure to warn of risks of serious birth defects from Depakote. Affirmed by Supreme Court of Missouri.

$12,000,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel in pharmaceutical product liability – failure to warn of
risks of heart injuries from diabetic drug – multiple plaintiffs.

$4,500,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel in automobile design defect case, resulting in unintended
acceleration.

$3,850,000 – Settlement – Pharmaceutical product liability – failure to warn of side-effects of diet drug.

$3,000,000 – Verdict and Judgment – failure to incorporate “deadman’s switch” on 5-ton asphalt roller. Affirmed by Supreme Court of Missouri.

$1,500,000 – Settlement – failure to properly maintain a gas-heated, pressurized washer – burn
injuries.

$350,000 – Verdict and Judgment – failure to warn – shattering safety glasses caused injury to
factory worker’s eye. Affirmed by Missouri Eastern District Court of Appeals.

$300,000 – Settlement – failure to guard nip-point.

Product Liability/SUV Rollovers

$2,400,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$2,000,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$850,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$750,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$500,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$500,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$375,000 – Settlement –Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$325,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$300,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$225,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$205,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

$150,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel with Tab Turner of Little Rock – vehicle rollover.

Medical Malpractice

$4,500,000 – Settlement – Medical malpractice/product liability – improper injection of air into
intravenous portal, resulting in profound injuries.

$4,500,000 – Settlement – failure to diagnose and properly manage bacterial endocarditis resulting in profound injuries.

$3,000,000 – Settlement – failure to properly manage bilirubin levels in newborn, resulting in
profound injuries.

$3,000,000 – Settlement – failure to timely perform Cesarean Section.

$1,600,000 – Judgment and Settlement – failure to properly treat bed sores, resulting in lower leg amputation of spina bifida patient.

$870,000 – Verdict and Judgment – Rhoden v. Missouri Delta Medical Center – Supreme Court
of Missouri affirmed $870,000 judgment from Scott County including $300,000 in punitive
damages. Case No.SC98327.

$400,000 – Verdict and Judgment – wrongful death claim for negligent release of psychiatric
patient.

$300,000 – Settlement – negligent reading of x-ray which showed breast cancer.

$150,000 – Settlement – hospital negligence – patient infected due to improper germ control.

Class Actions

$85,000,000 - Settlement - Southern District of California against The Scotts Company for violations of RICO, Consumer Protection Laws and Missouri Merchandising and Practices Act.

$59,000,000 – Settlement – Co-Counsel in consumer fraud class action.

$41,150,000 - Settlement - Southern District of Illinois against Merrill Lynch for illegal marketing practices.

$30,000,000 – Settlement – Defended MSD on appeal in class action settlement. Settlement
affirmed by Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.

$11,200,000 – Settlement – Lead Co-Class Counsel – consumer fraud/data breach class action.

Seresto Litigation - Court appointed member of the Plaintiffs' Executive Committee in an MDL pending in the U.S.D.C for the Northern District of Illinois relating to the illegal marketing of products that contained toxic pesticides - Action stayed for settlement negotiations.

Mass Torts

$2,475,000,000 - Settlement - Represented multiple plaintiffs in the DuPut ASR Mass Tort Litigation.

$2,370,000,000 - Settlement - Represented multiple plaintiffs in the Actos Mass Tort Litigation.

$775,000,000 - Settlement - Represented multiple plaintiffs in the Xarelto Mass Tort Litigation.

$650,000,000 - Settlement - Represented multiple plaintiffs in the Pradaxa Mass Tort Litigation.

$600,000,000 - Settlement - Represented multiple plaintiffs in the Trasylol Mass Tort Litigation.

$250,000,000 - Settlement - Local counsel in the Granuflo Litigation in St. Louis.

$87,000,000 - Settlement - Represented multiple plaintiffs in the Avandia Mass Tort Litigation,

$38,000,000 - Verdict and Judgement - Co-Counsel - Birth Injury Cases. Affirmed by the Supreme Court of Missouri.

Confidential Settlement - Kidney Damage Cases - Represented multiple plaintiffs.

Confidential Settlement - IUD Cases - Represented multiple plaintiffs.

Confidential Settlement - Transvaginal Mesh Cases - Represented multiple plaintiffs.

Confidential Settlement - Birth Defect Cases - Appointed as Co-Class Counsel.

Confidential Settlement - Liver Damage Cases - Represented multiple plaintiffs.

Miscellaneous

$6,000,000 – Verdict and Judgment – Co-Counsel – Negligent entrustment – 45-ton switch engine entrusted to incompetent operators, resulting in amputations. Affirmed by Supreme Court of Missouri.

$1,550,000 – Settlement – Railroad liability – Negligent delivery of defective railcar.

$1,000,000 – Settlement – Tractor-trailer negligence – crossed center line – closed head injuries.

$1,000,000 – Settlement – Negligent attachment of trailer that separated from truck.

$850,000 – Settlement – Claim was made against adversary’s attorneys for improperly researching law prior to institution of suit.

$550,000 – Settlement – Security Guard Negligence – improper discharge of firearm.

$500,000 – Settlement – Product Defect – improper welding – Plaintiff sustained broken leg.

$450,000 – Settlement – Utility Negligence – improper placement of power line.

$400,000 – Verdict and Judgment – Railroad negligence – failure to properly maintain crossing
lights.

$400,000 – Settlement – Malicious prosecution against lawyers – improper joinder.
Confidential Settlement – Malicious prosecution against lawyers – Defendants confessed
judgment.

Settlement – Malicious prosecution/abuse of process – Defendant-client confessed judgment.

Settlement – Malicious prosecution/abuse of process – lawyer confessed judgment.

$300,000 – Verdict and Judgment – personal injury/ premises liability. Customer fell on shotgun pellets negligently left on floor of large retail chain store. Affirmed by United States Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit.

$200,000 – Verdict and Judgment – Negligent maintenance – airplane owner failed to properly
keep anti-icing equipment maintained, resulting in crash and wrongful death. Affirmed by
Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District.

$200,000 – Settlement – automobile negligence – claim against Minnesota for negligence of
Highway Patrolman.

$137,500 – Settlement – Gender harassment.

$65,000 – Verdict and judgment – assault on customer by parking lot attendant. Affirmed by
United States Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit.

$45,000 – Verdict and judgment – false arrest. Affirmed by Supreme Court of Missouri.

NOTABLE DECISIONS FROM MISSOURI APPELLATE COURTS

Rhoden v. Missouri Delta Medical Center, $870,000 from Scott County, Missouri, including
$300,000 in punitive damages affirmed on March 2, 2021 by the Supreme Court of Missouri, Case No. SC98327.

Barron v. Abbott Labs, 529 S.W.3d 795 (Mo. 2017)

State ex rel. Govero v. Kehm, 850 S.W.2d 100 (Mo. 1993) Writ proceeding.

Hiers v. Lemley, Mo., 834 S.W. 2d 729 (Mo. 1992)

Fahy v. Dresser Industries, Inc., 740 S.W.2d 685 (Mo.1987), cert. denied

Day v. Wells Fargo Guard Service Co., 711 S.W.2d 503 (Mo. 1986)

Fowler v. Park Corp., Mo., 673 S.W.2d 749 (Mo. 1984)

Ring v. Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District, 41 S.W.3d 487 (Mo. App. E.D. 2000)

Boyer v. Tilzer, 831 S.W.2d 695 (Mo. App. E.D. 1992)

Kiphart v. Community Federal Sav. & Loan Ass’n., 729 S.W.2d 510 (Mo. App. E.D. 1987)

Politte v. Eckelkamp, 706 S.W.2d 290 (Mo. App. E.D. 1986)

Grady v. American Optical Corp., 702 S.W.2d 911 (Mo. App. E.D. 1985)

Weast v. Festus Flying Service, Inc., 680 S.W.2d 262 (Mo. App. E.D. 1984)

Stelzer v. Carmelite Sisters of the Devine Heart of Jesus of Missouri, 619 S.W.2d 766 (Mo. App.
E.D. 1981)

Martin v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 183 F.3d 770 (8th Cir. 1999)

Brown v. Associated Dry Goods, 656 F.2d 306, 307 (8th Cir. 1981)