As a litigator, Dan works with clients to align their legal strategies with their business goals. He has also served as national counsel for some clients, managing their litigation across the United States.
Overview
In addition to his representation of clients in lawsuits and arbitrations, Dan is an experienced relationship attorney. He assists clients in managing their legal needs by connecting them with other attorneys at the firm, frequently in different practice groups or in different offices, to deliver value and efficiency. Dan has performed that role for multinational businesses in a variety of industries, including agribusiness, information technology, health care and manufacturing.
Clients look to Dan for his extensive experience in complex lawsuits, particularly when similar claims are filed in both state and federal courts or arise from related government investigations and administrative proceedings. In multidistrict litigations (MDLs), he has not only represented the firm's clients but has also served as court-appointed liaison counsel for a group of parties that included the firm's client.
Experience
Dan has represented clients in antitrust litigation, and has advised clients on antitrust compliance matters, in a variety of industries, including agribusiness, aviation, energy and pharmaceuticals.
Litigation arising from information technology services and software products used in the health care and financial services industries has also been a recent focus of Dan's client representations.
He has also represented agribusiness clients, including grain companies, seed companies and farmers, in lawsuits involving a broad range of legal issues, from environmental and nuisance claims to intellectual property rights. Dan has extensive experience in litigation involving genetically modified crops (GMOs or GM crops), including lawsuits arising from GMOs marketed without a U.S. government approval and GMOs marketed without a foreign government approval as well as lawsuits challenging U.S. government approvals of GMOs.
Dan served as national counsel for a UK-based manufacturer in mass tort lawsuits filed by more than 10,000 workers in over 2,000 lawsuits in state courts in 12 states and in multidistrict federal court proceedings in Cleveland, Ohio. The lawsuits raised complex scientific issues in such fields as neurology, toxicology, and epidemiology and included failure-to-warn claims, as well as allegations of conspiracy, negligent undertaking, and aiding and abetting.
Dan also works with the firm's attorneys in advising clients on the protection of privileged information during due diligence in mergers and acquisitions.
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
"How to Preserve the Attorney-Client Privilege in Mergers and Acquisitions," Life Sciences and Animal Health M&A - Practical Guidance for Critical Issues sponsored by BioKansas, April 2016
"Attorney-Client Privilege Issues," Heartland GRC Roundtable Series sponsored by KPMG, August 2016
"Attorney-Client Privilege Issues," Kansas City Society for Corporate Governance, September 2016
Publications
Quote, "Reflections on the Journey: Advice for a Successful Legal Career," Kelly Postlewait, KC Counselor, February 2018
"Community and Worker Right-to-Know Laws," Chapter 15 in Missouri Environmental Law (deskbook for lawyers published by The Missouri Bar) (First Ed. 1991) (Second Ed. 1998) (updates, including 2002 and 2007 Supplements)
Recognitions
Recognitions
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® list, 2016 - 2025
Professional & Civic Activities
Professional & Civic Activities
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Board of Directors, 1992-present; Past President
English-Speaking Union, Kansas City Branch, Board of Directors, 2010-present
Dan's previous community involvement included training non-lawyers to represent abused and neglected children for the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program of Jackson County
American Bar Association, Litigation Section
The Missouri Bar
Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, Environmental Law Committee, former Vice-Chair
Practices & Industries
Admissions
- New York, 1978
- District of Columbia, 1980
- Missouri, 1983
- United States District Court for the District of Kansas
- United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Education
New York University, J.D., 1977
- N.Y.U Journal of International Law & Politics, Research Editor
Georgetown University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1974
