Doug Alexander helps clients solve problems and complete transactions. His practice is focused on advising clients as they buy and sell businesses, form and operate legal entities, and work through complex legal and business matters. Doug works closely with family-owned businesses and assists them in transitioning businesses from one generation to the next.
Doug’s family life and undergraduate experience were largely influenced by business matters. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in business, he wanted to do more, which lead him to law school where he concentrated on business law. Upon graduation, Doug was mentored by Dan Ritter and Jim Griggs, who helped him develop the skills needed to become a trusted advisor to clients. Doug takes tremendous satisfaction in seeing his clients achieve and exceed their goals, and the role he plays in their success.
Doug’s served locally on the board of the Mission Mill Museum, and as a board member and board president of the A.C. Gilbert Children’s Museum. He was previously appointed member and president of the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar Business Law section. Doug currently serves on the Advisory Board of LEGUS, an international network of business law firms, and is its past president. Additionally, Doug acted as Saalfeld Griggs’ managing shareholder for 25 years.
Doug enjoys spending time with friends and his family, which currently includes seven grandchildren. He also enjoys traveling the backroads of the Northwest, exploring the beautiful landscapes that make great photographic subjects. Look around the office – you may spot one or more of his photos.
While Doug counsels clients in many industries, his particular expertise is with dentists, doctors, and veterinarians – helping them to buy, sell, and transition their practices. Doug regularly speaks at dental schools and seminars and is recognized as an expert in the field.
Practice Areas
Business Law
Doug assists clients in the formation and legal maintenance of corporations, limited liability companies, and other types of business entities. His ongoing representation of such clients includes (i) negotiation and drafting of various complex contracts; (ii) drafting buy-sell agreements, operating agreements, and other contracts between the business and its owners; (iii) drafting stock sale agreements and redemption agreements; and (iv) structuring business dissolutions and liquidations. In addition, a substantial portion of Doug’s practice is devoted to representing clients in business sales and acquisitions. His experience includes sale/purchase transactions with prices ranging from under $100,000 to in excess of $50 million, and involving both private and publicly owned buyers. Doug frequently negotiates sales of professional practices, including both medical and dental practices. He is experienced in advising businesses in transition and succession planning. This work is frequently done in conjunction with lawyers in our estate planning group.
Dental Industry Representation
Doug has been representing dentists for over 20 years, and as a result has developed a great deal of expertise and many industry contacts that help him effectively lead our team of lawyers who help dental clients. That representation typically includes assisting new dentists in the acquisition of a practice, or representing senior dentists who are selling, as well as dealing with non-compete agreements, leases and real property acquisitions, and dental financing. Doug works closely with other members of the firm’s dental team as they address personnel matters, estate planning, retirement plans and planning, and litigation. See the Dental Industry Group page for additional information.
Industry Teams
Education
Willamette University College of Law
J.D., cum laude, 1983
Brigham Young University
B.S., Business, cum laude, 1980
Professional Activities
Doug is a member of the Business Law, Tax Law and Health Law sections of the Oregon State Bar Association. He has served as the Chair of the Business Law Section and as the Advisory Board Chair of LEGUS, an international network of business law firms. In the community, Doug has served on the Board of AC Gilbert’s Discovery Village (past president) and Mission Mill Museum. Doug is a regular speaker on topics including law firm management, business sales and acquisitions, and transition planning for business owners. Doug also serves as the firm’s managing shareholder, a position he has held since 1993.
Doug is a transplant to Oregon, having moved here over 30 years ago to attend law school. While here, he fell in love with Salem and chose to stay. He lived in California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah before putting roots down here. Doug enjoys a variety of activities, including skiing, hiking, hunting, and most notably photography and travel. As a teenager, Doug grew to love photography, having a darkroom in his home during the days long before digital. That passion for photography has continued, although he has now transitioned with the rest of the world to digital photography. During his spare time he can often be seen toting a camera around, and when not taking photographs he is probably working on them in his digital darkroom. Doug and Gayle also enjoy traveling, including driving the back roads of Oregon. Over the last several years, they have been able to see many beautiful locations in Oregon and Washington which are off the beaten path and give them an even greater appreciation for the beauty and variety of this part of the country. Doug and Gayle have three grown children and several grandchildren who they love to visit as well.
Off the Job
Doug is a transplant to Oregon, having moved here over 30 years ago to attend law school. While here, he fell in love with Salem and chose to stay. He lived in California, Colorado, Nevada and Utah before putting roots down here. Doug enjoys a variety of activities, including skiing, hiking, hunting, and most notably photography and travel. As a teenager, Doug grew to love photography, having a darkroom in his home during the days long before digital. That passion for photography has continued, although he has now transitioned with the rest of the world to digital photography. During his spare time he can often be seen toting a camera around, and when not taking photographs he is probably working on them in his digital darkroom. Doug and Gayle also enjoy traveling, including driving the back roads of Oregon. Over the last several years, they have been able to see many beautiful locations in Oregon and Washington which are off the beaten path and give them an even greater appreciation for the beauty and variety of this part of the country. Doug and Gayle have three grown children and several grandchildren who they love to visit as well.