Louis DeHaas

Louis ("Duke") H. DeHaas is a senior shareholder of LaFollette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames, Glendale, California. LaFollette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames is a renowned defense law firm that has been operating for over 50 years. Founded by John T. La Follette and Daren T. Johnson in 1965, the firm started its practice in Los Angeles and has since expanded with offices throughout California. The firm is highly regarded for its expertise in civil litigation and is recognized by peers and industry professionals as having some of the most experienced and trusted trial lawyers in the state.

Mr. DeHaas, a key member of the firm, pursued his education at the University of Southern California, where he obtained a B.A. in Psychology in 1963. He continued his studies at the University of California, Hastings College of Law, earning his J.D. in 1966. His legal career began as a prosecutor in criminal cases for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, where he achieved remarkable results in trials. As a result of his trial success, he was selected to join the Civil Section of the City Attorney's Office, where he defended the city in significant civil exposure cases for three years. In 1971, Mr. DeHaas joined La Follette Johnson and eventually became a named partner in 1976. Currently, he holds the position of President and Senior Trial Attorney at the firm. Throughout his career, he has been involved in an impressive number of jury trials, having tried over 350 cases, including more than 175 medical malpractice cases. As of May 2023, Mr. DeHaas has handled 6 jury trials, some of which were covered on court TV and CNN. Additionally, he has represented physicians in multiple administrative hearings before the California Medical Board. His litigation experience encompasses jury trials, arbitrations, and cases handled in both state and federal courts. Mr. DeHaas has argued cases in the appellate court of the State of California and the 9th Circuit Federal Court. He has also written numerous appellate briefs for cases in the State of California, federal courts, and even the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. DeHaas has held several prestigious positions and received numerous accolades throughout his career. In 2001, he served as the President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He holds the rank of Diplomat and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Los Angeles Chapter of ABOTA, as well as a past Member of the National Executive Committee of ABOTA. He has received recognition for his outstanding professionalism, including the ABOTA Lee Wenzel Civility Award in 1999 and the 2018 ABOTA Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization limited to the top 1% of lawyers licensed to practice in the State of California. He is also a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, which is limited to 500 attorneys in the United States. Mr. DeHaas holds an "AV" rating from Martindale-Hubbell, indicating the highest level of professional excellence and ethical standards.

Furthermore, Mr. DeHaas has been actively involved in various professional associations and committees. He was elected to the California Medical Legal Committee, a group consisting of senior medical malpractice attorneys from Southern California. He served as the editor of the Emergency Medical Legal Digest and was appointed as a special arbitrator by the Los Angeles Superior Court. He has been a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, where he also held a position on the Board of Directors.

In addition to his legal practice, Mr. DeHaas has shared his knowledge and expertise as a lecturer for esteemed organizations such as the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, and Masters in Trial programs for ABOTA. He has provided lectures and training for various healthcare institutions and insurance companies, including Catholic Healthcare West, St. Paul Insurance Company, Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital, St. Francis Medical Center, Sutter/Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, and Cooperative of American Physicians. Mr. DeHaas is also a faculty member at the Jack Daniels Trial School for ABOTA, where he imparts his trial advocacy skills to aspiring lawyers.

Throughout his career, Mr. DeHaas has achieved significant accomplishments. In 2005, he successfully defended a medical malpractice case that was recognized by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as the most significant defense verdict in medical malpractice litigation for California. He has consistently been designated as one of Southern California's Super Lawyers from 2006 to 2018. He was nominated for the L.A. Chapter of ABOTA Trial Lawyer of the Year from 2014 to 2018 and received the 2014 Champion of Justice Award presented by Loyola Law School. Mr. DeHaas's contributions to the legal profession, his dedication to his clients, and his exceptional trial skills have earned him a stellar reputation within the field of defense law. He is a frequent donor to the Salvation Army.