204. Attorney Carl Douglas Forty-Five Years in the Law: From O.J. Simpson “Dream” Team to Continued Civil Rights Warrior

In this New Year’s episode of The Legal Lens Show—kicking off 2026—host Angela Reddock-Wright welcomes back legendary trial lawyer Carl E. Douglas, founding partner of the Douglas/Hicks law firm and famed member of the O.J. Simpson “Dream Team.” Douglas reflects on his 45+ years as an attorney and  the importance of respecting the rule of law at a time when political and social norms are being “upended and challenged,” and why younger generations must understand that the law is being tested “every day before our very eyes.” He and Angela revisit his frontline work in the aftermath of the January 2025 Altadena Eaton fire —catastrophic events that uniquely displaced and harmed Black homeowners in Los Angeles County—and discuss what it means for civil rights lawyers to help those families rebuild.Douglas also breaks down several of his major police misconduct victories from 2025, including a landmark George Floyd protest case, Cellin Gluck v. County of Los Angeles, where a racially mixed jury awarded 3.8 million dollars to a white Director’s Guild member shot in the face with a “less-lethal” projectile while photographing a protest—now the largest protest verdict in L.A. County history. He explains why race still “regrettably” shapes jury trials, how he strategically thinks about race in every case, and what it means that he now holds the two largest protest verdicts against the City and County of Los Angeles. This dynamic conversation offers legal insight, hard-earned wisdom from decades of civil-rights litigation, and a candid look at the challenges and opportunities facing those who seek justice in 2026.Key Topics Covered:Carl Douglas’ reflections on his 45+ career in the law, and why conversations about the preservation of the rule of law are important in a time when political and societal norms are being tested.His background as a top Los Angeles civil-rights and plaintiff-side trial lawyer, including his role on the O.J. Simpson defense team and as managing attorney for the Law Offices of the late Johnnie Cochran.His firm’s ongoing work representing families impacted by the Altadena Eaton Fire and other disasters affecting Black communities in Los Angeles County.The Cellin Gluck case: facts of the George Floyd protest shooting, the client’s injuries, and how Douglas secured a 3.8 million dollar verdict—the largest protest verdict in L.A. County history.How race continues to influence juries and outcomes in police misconduct cases, and why Douglas insists lawyers must “factor in race with everything you do” in Los Angeles and across the country. 🔗 Connect with Angela: InstagramFacebookLinkedInVisit Angela's Website