Doug Zanes is the owner and president of Phoenix-based Zanes Law Injury Lawyers. The Arizona native focuses his representation on helping clients in wrongful death cases, life-altering injury cases and civil rights cases. Learn about Doug Zanes…
Hometown: Douglas, Arizona
First job: A lawyer with the Pima County Public Defender’s office.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in AZ: My wife, Claudia, and I love to spend our free time traveling. We both spend a significant amount of time working within the law practice, and we have learned that getting away for a few days gives us time to reconnect and recharge. When we stay in Arizona, we love to either staycation at the amazing Phoenix-area resorts or go to Sedona. We have built this law firm together, and continue to do so, so our time away to focus on our relationship is extremely important to us.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: My biggest accomplishment is building Zanes Law Injury Lawyers over the past 20 years with my wife, Claudia. We have built every brick of this business together with our employees and our clients in mind. I am proud of the fact that we are a litigation law firm, and we are one of the most successful personal injury firms in Arizona. Claudia and I have worked tirelessly to build a team that both gets significant results for our clients and that also truly cares about our clients’ well being during a very difficult time.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Getting comfortable with continued personal growth. My wife has been the catalyst for this over the years, and I do not think that we would have had nearly the business success or our relationship success without it. My wife, Claudia, is naturally driven to grow and expand as a person, but this was initially uncomfortable for me. Having Claudia’s help in this journey has allowed me to have a business and a life that I otherwise would not have.
Someone who inspires you and why: A friend of mine who has been fighting cancer for the past four years. I have watched him for years fight with everything that he has, and he has stayed amazingly positive. Even in the face of this battle ending, he is still the most positive person that I have ever been around. Even after he has left us when I need inspiration I know that I will always be able to think about him and how graceful he has moved through his illness. I don’t think that anything will ever be more inspirational to me.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Be patient and put in the work. Most young lawyers who I meet think that they are owed money and success now. They don’t seem to actually understand how much they don’t know about litigation, practicing law and representing clients. I tell young lawyers that the first 20 years of their career should be in preparation for the next 20 years. That’s when you will be able to change the world!
Favorite quote: “Always make your future bigger than your past.” —Dan Sullivan, author and business coach
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I speak Spanish.
What makes someone fabulous: Kindness.