Daniel is a leading white-collar and investigations lawyer and head of the firm’s West Coast Regulatory and Investigations practice. A former federal prosecutor and DOJ trial attorney, he guides clients through government investigations, enforcement actions, and high-stakes litigation, with an unyielding focus on results. He is also regularly called upon by companies to conduct sensitive internal investigations, often across borders.
Chambers-ranked in white-collar crime and government investigations, Daniel has deep experience in matters involving trade enforcement, economic sanctions, domestic and foreign corruption, RICO, consumer protection, environmental offenses, civil rights, and financial fraud, including securities fraud, health care fraud, and money laundering. For his case work, he has been recognized in AmLaw Litigation Daily’s Litigator of the Week Runners-Up and Shout-Outs. He also speaks and writes regularly on a range of white-collar and compliance issues, with major publications, including Bloomberg, Global Investigations Review, and the Wall Street Journal, turning to him for thought leadership.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Conducted sensitive internal investigation for multinational retailer in connection with congressional criminal referral alleging false statements to federal agency.
Successfully represented global engineering firm in cross-border procurement-fraud investigation in which federal prosecutors and multi-agency task force sought voluminous data and multiple witness interviews.
Secured declination for fintech company in DOJ and FBI cyber-fraud investigation following presentation.
Complex fraud and corporate enforcement
Conducted sensitive internal investigation for multinational retailer in connection with congressional criminal referral alleging false statements to federal agency.
Successfully represented global engineering firm in cross-border procurement-fraud investigation in which federal prosecutors and multi-agency task force sought voluminous data and multiple witness interviews.
Secured declination for fintech company in DOJ and FBI cyber-fraud investigation following presentation.
Secured immunity and non-prosecution for CEO and his telecom companies in $200 million cross-border fraud investigation, despite federal prosecutors and FBI initially viewing them as aiders and abettors.
Criminal referrals on behalf of corporate and individual victims
Convinced federal prosecutors and FBI to bring wire-fraud and money-laundering charges against former finance manager who committed large-scale fraud against company-client, resulting in guilty plea, custodial sentence, and order of restitution.
Convinced federal law enforcement, including FBI and HSI, to commence investigations on behalf of clients relating to counterfeiting, computer fraud, wire fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and conspiracy.
Convinced court to issue order referring party to law enforcement for criminal prosecution based on party’s threats and attempts to extort company-client.
FCPA and domestic corruption
Defending multiple individuals in distinct high-profile federal bribery matters.
Successfully represented multinational companies in connection with FCPA investigations in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Provided FCPA compliance counseling for multinational companies, including on due diligence relating to agents, consultants, distributors, and other third parties, and conducted multiple FCPA trainings for legal, compliance, and business personnel.
Conducted sensitive internal investigation for global company involving alleged bribery in China.
OFAC and BIS enforcement, economic sanctions, and money laundering
Advising range of companies across industries, domestically and abroad, on sanctions and AML compliance.
Defending family of maritime companies in large-scale OFAC enforcement action and related investigation.
Defending individual in international money-laundering prosecution.
Health-care fraud
Representing national company in multiple federal and state health-care-fraud investigations involving sober-living homes and allegations of “body brokering.”
Securities fraud
Secured declination from SEC on behalf of chief compliance officer in high-profile failure-to-supervise investigation.
Secured declination from FINRA on behalf of global investment bank in connection with sweep focused on disclosure practices.
Successfully defended individual in parallel SEC and DOJ offering-fraud matter.
Consumer protection, data privacy, disclosure practices, and false advertising
Representing financial institution in investigation by California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
Obtained highly favorable resolutions, including declination, from California AG in matters involving data privacy, corporate practice of medicine, and false advertising.
Convinced Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office to dismiss criminal charges alleging overcharging of customers and disclosure violations.
Obtained highly favorable resolution for multinational company in sweepstakes and false-advertising investigation by multiple California district attorneys’ offices.
Environmental and community-safety enforcement
Representing energy company in audit and investigation by federal and state regulators, including DOD and California Public Utilities Commission.
Secured withdrawal of pleas and dismissal of all criminal charges in “bet the company” case in which U.S. Attorney’s Office and EPA alleged hazardous-waste treatment and disposal in violation of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Clean Water Act.
Commercial disputes
Led sensitive internal investigation on behalf of financial institution that uncovered self-dealing by former director, resulting in monetary demand and full pre-litigation recovery.
Obtained eve-of-trial settlement providing complete relief to judges of a Superior Court in dispute over adequate staffing for court security.
Recognitions
- AmLaw Litigation Daily, Litigator of the Week Runners-Up and Shout-Outs, 2025
- Ranked in Chambers USA for California Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2025
Los Angeles Times Business of Law Visionaries, 2025
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of Southern California, 2004, J.D., Editor-in-Chief, Southern California Law Review; Lawyering Skills Instructor and Legal Writing Fellow; Western Regional Scholar
- Johns Hopkins University, 2000, M.A., Bryce Harlow Fellow; Distinguished Alumnus Award
- Biola University, 1997, B.A., magna cum laude, Epsilon Kappa Epsilon; Young Alumnus of the Year Award
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- California
Court admissions
Court admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court - Central District of California
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of California
- U.S. Supreme Court
Clerkships
Clerkships
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit, Honorable Johnnie B. Rawlinson
- U.S. District Court - Central District of California, Honorable Gary L. Taylor
News
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Insights
Blogs
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Events
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