Dan is a partner with over thirty years experience as a litigation attorney practicing in the areas of civil litigation in both state and federal courts. His experience includes matters involving environmental issues (CERCLA actions - both as a litigator and as a mediator, air quality permits, New Source Review, thermal discharge, underground petroleum tanks, insurance coverage, toxic torts), professional liability (legal, medical, accounting), employment-related issues (breach of contract, restrictive covenant, defamation, discrimination, harassment), product liability, personal injury (plaintiff and defense); general casualty insurance defense and coverage issues; and premises liability matters. Dan is also a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.
Representative Experience
Counsel to electric utility company in connection with matters as diverse as alleged Clean Air Act violations, alleged negligence in connection with electrocution injuries and death to alleged property damage to crops as a result of early defoliation allegedly caused by emissions from power company facilities. Also, in charge of prosecuting a CERCLA recovery claim against potentially responsible parties in connection with environmental clean-up at a former manufactured gas plant site.
Counsel to major oil company in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. In trial of alleged leaks from a retail gasoline station's underground storage tanks, a jury returned a verdict favorable to the defendant rejecting the plaintiffs' claims for permanent diminution in value of the property, permanent loss of use of the property, punitive damages and attorneys' fees.
Counsel to utility company in defense of CERCLA claims with respect to clean-up of a transformer facility.
Counsel to professionals involving professional liability (legal and accounting matters). These claims have involved alleged malpractice in underlying areas as diverse as the alleged failure to comply with GAAP in connection with the audit of a carpet manufacturer to the alleged failure to properly close front-end and back-end tax-free exchanges and alleged RICO violations.
Counsel to former Major League Baseball player in a paternity suit resulting in dismissal of the action for lack of personal jurisdiction in a case of first impression in Georgia.
Counsel to sports franchise involving litigation concerning personnel matters such as wrongful termination and personal injury-type torts which accompany that type of litigation as well as certain premises liability claims.
Successful trial to a jury of corporation's claims of usurpation of corporate opportunity, conversion, violation of the Trade Secrets Act against former officers and directors and their newly established competing company.
Counsel to major hotel chain in connection with premises liability matters. In approximately 20 years of this representation, the claims have been as varied as alleged negligence in the planning and presentation of a New Year's Eve party to alleged failure to adequately protect the premises.
Other Distinctions
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Recognized as one of America's Leading Lawyers for Litigation by Chambers USA (2004-2011).
Named to the Top Rated Lawyers Guide to Energy/Environmental/Natural Resources Law (2012).
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in Legal Malpractice Law, First Amendment Law, Commercial Litigation, and Bet-the-Company Litigation (2001-2012).
Selected as a Super Lawyer in General Litigation by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine (2004-2012).
Ranked on list of top 100 lawyers in Georgia.
Named to Georgia Trend magazine's Legal Elite in personal injury (2004-2011).
Listed in the 2005-2007 editions of Who's Who in America.
Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards (AV).
Work Experience
Partner, Troutman Sanders LLP, 1980-present
Associate, Troutman Sanders LLP, 1974-1979
Executive Committee Member, 1992-2009
Member of the Firm's Hiring Committee (Past Chairman)
Memberships
· Atlanta Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1995-1999;
· Chair, Judicial Selection and Tenure Committee, 1998-2002;
· Co-Director, Atlanta Bar Association College of Trial Advocacy, 1992-1993;
· Past Instructor, Atlanta Bar Association College of Trial Advocacy; Member, Board of Directors, Litigation Section, 1994-1995)
· State Bar of Georgia, (Judicial Procedure and Administration Committee, 1986-1994;
· Member, Committee for People and Their Understanding of the Legal System and the Role of the Lawyer, 1989-1990;
· Chair, Committee on the Arbitration of Attorney Fee Disputes, 1994-1997;
· Commission on Professionalism, 1989-1990)