B.A., College of William and Mary, 1972. M.A., Constitutional Law, University of Virginia, 1975, where his thesis pertained to the validity of "no-knock" searches. J.D., Marshall Wythe School of Law, College of William and Mary, 1978.  Member, Virginia Bar. 

Doug joined NLRG in 1978 and has spent the ensuing years concentrating on Constitutional Law (elections, right to petition, right to privacy, due process, and equal protection in a variety of contexts), Criminal Law (search and seizure, white collar fraud, sentencing, plea agreements, unlawful wiretapping, and accessing of computer data), Personal Injury (liability in accidents involving automobiles, agricultural equipment, swimming pools), and Family Law (equitable distribution, antenuptial agreements, separation agreements).  He has written appellate briefs to virtually all federal circuits and to dozens of state supreme courts, as well as many petitions for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, including one in a case involving federal education law, which was accepted by the Court and in which the Court issued a landmark ruling, adopting the position of the petition.  Recent appellate work includes an appellant’s brief to a state supreme court that overturned that state’s trial and intermediate appellate court decisions and adopted a new position on equitable distribution of certain types of retirement benefits.  Doug is also the author of NLRG’s Criminal Law Update.

When not working, Doug enjoys classical music.  He is a former member of the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, and past president of the board of directors of the local youth orchestra.  He also plays basketball regularly with students and faculty members at the University of Virginia.

See a sample of Doug's work.

"Everything was satisfactory the work was excellent and professional."

—Jonathan Austern, Wading River, NY

"Doug [Plank] did a great job.  Excellent communication, excellent work product."

--- James N. Butterworth, Cornelia, GA

"Very good information. . . .  [Doug Plank provided a] good treatment of a very unsettled area of law."

--- Shawnassey Howe, Jackson, MS

"I was completely satisfied [with Doug Plank's research].  I do not believe you could have improved your service in this matter.  It was of the highest level."

--- Robert H. Leonard, Knoxville, TN

"I was extremely impressed with Mr. Plank's quick grasp of the issue and his rapid response with on-point assistance."

--- L. Quinn Kaylor, Harrisonburg, VA

Other satisfied clients who have used this attorney:
Martin E. Lilly, Jonesboro, AR
David J. Marantz, Stamford, CT
Henry Gonzalez, Tampa, FL
Anita Rivkin-Carothers, Chicago, IL
Constantine P. Xinos, Chicago, IL
Michael A. Nelsen, Omaha, NE
Walter J. Ray, Pennsville, NJ
Steven L. Holloway, Elk City, OK
Skidmore Neale Garrett, Jamestown, TN
Pamela S. Thompson, San Antonio, TX
Jeffrey Wynn, Lumberton, NC