Douglas Kent Simpson, youth advocate, co-founder of the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu and general counsel and director of the Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families, died March 14 of pancreatic cancer at his Malibu home. He was 48.
Simpson was known for his work as an attorney. Most recently, he worked for Rein, Evans & Sestanovich LLP. Previously, he served as executive vice president and general counsel of Card Commerce International Inc. and was a member of the corporate departments of Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan LLP, where he founded the emerging company technology and finance practice group in the firm’s Los Angeles office.
Simpson specialized in work in international business and corporate finance. He represented both established companies and entrepreneurs in capital raising, acquisitions and general business matters in diverse industries, including technology, financial services, entertainment, restaurants, environmental products and others.
Before practicing law, Simpson was a member of the antitrust consulting group at National Economic Research Associates Inc. He was a summer intern at Tokyo Kokusai Law Offices in Tokyo, while attending a program in Japanese law at Tokyo Daigaku (Todai). Simpson received his bachelor’s degree in economics from UC Irvine in 1981 and his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1985, where he was a member of the Law Review.
Friends said Simpson’s passion for the well-being of young people was felt throughout the community in the many activities he participated in. His energy, insight and intelligence helped create the winning concept of the community partnership: bringing the Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America together to build a Teen Center in Malibu.
Simpson was born in Walnut Creek in 1956. He moved with his family to Stamford, Conn. in 1965, then to Malvern, Pa. in 1968, where he attended Conestoga High School. Simpson loved the outdoors and most recently enjoyed sailing in the Santa Monica Bay and walking along the Malibu beaches. Friends said Simpson was a peace seeker who always jumped first to come to someone’s aid and never thought of the possible inconvenience to himself.
Simpson is survived by his wife, Rita Dajani Simpson; daughter, Bianca; son, Chase; father, Donald R. Simpson of El Segundo; sisters, Peggy Yockey of Virginia, Patsy Teesdale of Tustin, and Teresa Simpson of El Segundo; brother, Don Simpson of Pasadena and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial service for all friends and family at Simpson’s home in Malibu on April 6. Call the Malibu Foundation for Youth and Families for details at 589.8363.