Skip to main content
Elected Member

Douglas
W.
Alexander

Location
Austin, TX, USA
Affiliation
Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP
Education
Pomona College
University of Houston Law Center

Doug Alexander of Alexander Dubose Jefferson LLP is unique in his profession. Despite the fact that, having been in practice for almost 40 years, he has represented clients in over 200 cases before the Supreme Court of Texas, accumulated numerous professional accolades and recognitions, and been a name partner at Alexander Dubose & Jefferson for over 15 years, Doug still writes his own briefs and works, hands-on, with peers and clients. That sort of in-the-trenches collaboration is rare for an attorney of his stature.

Doug finds it helps to not only get to know the case, but also to get to know his clients and understand their career, their life and the bigger picture surrounding the case. This approach allows him to represent their concerns to how the law applies, and ultimately get to the heart of the matter. It’s this level of preparation, empathy and understanding that makes him a formidable attorney.

Doug began his impressive legal career as Law Clerk to the Honorable John R. Brown, former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. From there, he proceeded to build an impressive career as one of the premier appellate advocates specializing in practice before the Supreme Court of Texas. According to Thomson Reuters’ Texas Super Lawyers listings, Doug is one of the “Top 10” lawyers in Texas, and has been each of the past six years.

Member News

Traynor on Liberty, Law, and Democracy

In his essay "Liberty, Law, and Democracy: Are There Grounds for Realistic Optimism?" Michael Traynor, former President of The American Law Institute, reflects on the challenges facing American democracy amid political polarization and institutional strain. He examines threats to the balance between liberty and law, citing dysfunction across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, while drawing on historical context and recent scholarship to frame these concerns.

Despite his sober assessment, Traynor maintains a guarded optimism rooted in America’s resilience, civic traditions, and individual potential to effect change. He highlights positive actions within the legal community, nonprofit organizations, and among engaged citizens, while outlining five practical steps Americans can take to strengthen democracy: improving civic education, demanding accountability, fostering open debate, participating in elections and local governance, and resisting simplistic solutions.

Traynor concludes that democracy is “stubborn work,” incremental, imperfect, and ongoing, but expresses confidence that Americans have the resolve to preserve it.

Read the full article The New Nationalist

Michael Traynor is senior counsel at Cobalt LLP in Berkeley California. He served as ALI President from 2000 to 2008, and as Chair of the Council from 2008 to 2011. He is also a recipient of ALI's Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Traynor is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.   He received the John P. Frank Outstanding Lawyer Award from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is an honorary life trustee of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and of Earthjustice and a past President (1973) of the Bar Association of San Francisco.