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Douglas J. Clark
Managing Partner Emeritus
Litigation
Palo Alto

D650-320-4824

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  • A Leader at the Firm

    Doug previously served as Wilson Sonsini’s managing partner, member of the firm’s board of directors, and leader of the Litigation Department.

  • Securities and Governance Litigation Veteran

    As a practitioner, Doug focused primarily on securities litigation, representing defendants in more than 70 class and derivative actions, as well as numerous SEC investigations.

Douglas J. Clark is the former managing partner of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and a past member of the firm’s board of directors. Under his leadership from 2012 until 2026, Wilson Sonsini expanded strategically across the U.S. and internationally, fortifying its core practices. During Doug’s tenure, the firm’s annual revenue increased from $549 million in 2012 to $1.4 billion in 2025, and lawyer headcount surpassed 1,100—solidifying the firm’s position as a global legal powerhouse. In addition, the firm opened offices in key markets, including Boston, London, Los Angeles, Boulder, and Salt Lake City. Doug also played a key leadership role in the firm’s innovation initiatives, including its launch of SixFifty, an automated regulatory solutions subsidiary that was sold in 2025 and ranks among the largest acquisitions involving a law firm technology asset.

Upon joining the firm in 1993 as a litigator, Doug focused primarily on securities litigation, representing defendants in more than 70 class and derivative actions. Among many other successful outcomes for clients, he secured dismissals for Acxiom in several securities and privacy class actions at the pleading stage, as well as a dismissal on behalf of Janus Capital and its directors and officers in a Dodd-Frank "say on pay" case that is considered to be one of the leading decisions in the area. Doug also represented numerous companies in SEC investigations and exchange inquiries, and advised companies and their boards of directors on governance, investigatory, and compliance matters. His clients have spanned a wide range of industries, including software and internet, financial services, hardware and semiconductors, energy and clean technology, retail, media and entertainment, and life sciences.

In addition to serving as managing partner and member of the firm’s board of directors, Doug led the Litigation Department for seven years. He also chaired the firm's Compensation Committee and served on many other key committees, including the Policy Committee.

Experience

Douglas J. Clark is the former managing partner of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and a past member of the firm’s board of directors. Under his leadership from 2012 until 2026, Wilson Sonsini expanded strategically across the U.S. and internationally, fortifying its core practices. During Doug’s tenure, the firm’s annual revenue increased from $549 million in 2012 to $1.4 billion in 2025, and lawyer headcount surpassed 1,100—solidifying the firm’s position as a global legal powerhouse. In addition, the firm opened offices in key markets, including Boston, London, Los Angeles, Boulder, and Salt Lake City. Doug also played a key leadership role in the firm’s innovation initiatives, including its launch of SixFifty, an automated regulatory solutions subsidiary that was sold in 2025 and ranks among the largest acquisitions involving a law firm technology asset.

Upon joining the firm in 1993 as a litigator, Doug focused primarily on securities litigation, representing defendants in more than 70 class and derivative actions. Among many other successful outcomes for clients, he secured dismissals for Acxiom in several securities and privacy class actions at the pleading stage, as well as a dismissal on behalf of Janus Capital and its directors and officers in a Dodd-Frank "say on pay" case that is considered to be one of the leading decisions in the area. Doug also represented numerous companies in SEC investigations and exchange inquiries, and advised companies and their boards of directors on governance, investigatory, and compliance matters. His clients have spanned a wide range of industries, including software and internet, financial services, hardware and semiconductors, energy and clean technology, retail, media and entertainment, and life sciences.

In addition to serving as managing partner and member of the firm’s board of directors, Doug led the Litigation Department for seven years. He also chaired the firm's Compensation Committee and served on many other key committees, including the Policy Committee.

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Wilson Sonsini, Attorneys Recognized in Several Categories for The Recorder's 2026 California Legal Awards
On April 27, 2026, The Recorder announced the winners and finalists for its annual California Legal Awards, honoring the accomplishments of attorneys and companies leading technology, innovation, and the legal profession. Wilson Sonsini has been named as a finalist in the following categories:
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Doug Clark Named Among Lawdragon’s 2026 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know
On April 3, 2026, Wilson Sonsini’s Douglas Clark was named to Lawdragon’s 100 Managing Partners You Need to Know for the second consecutive year. Doug has led the firm since 2012 and under his leadership, Wilson Sonsini has expanded strategically across the U.S. and internationally, fortifying its core practices.
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