Dan is a partner in Pioneer Law Group, LLP, who advises and represents business owners, developers and landowners throughout California. Dan’s practice focuses on resolving disputes in privately held companies over contractual rights, real property rights, and other complex business disputes. He has helped private clients, cities, and counties to successfully resolve disputes involving breaches of contracts, construction finance and lien claims, employment matters, partition, local land use regulations, government claims, and business torts, among others.

Dan graduated Valedictorian of his class at the McGeorge School of Law and has recently been named a Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion, Northern California Super Lawyer’s Rising Star, and a Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyer. He is admitted to practice before all Superior Courts in the State of California, the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Northern Districts of California, and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California.

Dan is also active in the community, having served as judge for local mock trial competitions for high school students and students at the McGeorge and UC Davis Law Schools. He has also served as President of the Board for the Sacramento Court Appointed Special Advocates Program, Inc. and recently became an Ironman as a part of TeamOne10 in Sacramento.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• • • WPCS International, Inc. v. Sacramento Downtown Arena, LLC, et al. (and related cases)

Represents Sacramento Kings’ affiliated entities and surety in complex of five lawsuits concerning contractual rights and related lien and bond claims arising from construction of the Golden 1 Center.

• • • Americanwest Bank v. Oroville Economic & Community Development Corp., et al.

Successfully defended City against private party’s attempt to impose multimillion-dollar obligation to construct roadway and related improvements in failed subdivision during series of bench trials before Superior Court.

• • • Catalyst Marketing Co. v. Augustineideas, et al.

Successfully defended executive director of corporation from action alleging business torts in trial court and on appeal. Obtained early dismissal and judgment for attorneys’ fees and costs by successfully prosecuting anti-SLAPP special motion to strike on novel legal grounds.

• • • Maria Montessori Charter Academy, Inc. v. Rocklin Unified School Dist. (and related cases)

Successfully defended corporation in multi-suit dispute over $7.4 million in delayed bond funds and approximately $1.5 million in additional damages in connection with construction of charter school facilities in partnership with local school district.  Despite an $800,000 demand, opposing party settled for $1 on the day of closing arguments, at the conclusion of the month-long jury trial.

• • • Hoang v. Vinh Phat Supermarket Inc. (and related cases)

Successfully represented 25% owner of privately held corporation in complex of 3 suits pending in state and federal courts involving claims of wage and hour violations, fraud, and shareholder freeze out.

• • • Yuba River Charter School, Rough & Ready Highway School Construction Project

Successfully represented and advised charter school operator in $8.5 million Charter Schools Facilities Program project, including representation before County in land use approvals and the negotiation/drafting of contracts for hazardous materials clean-up under approved Remedial Action Work Plan.

• • • Confidential Corporate Client

Identified, researched, drafted, and negotiated proposed modifications to lease terms related to environmental liability, indemnity, termination, expense pass-through, and option price terms in national company’s long-term lease of +/- 34,000 square foot commercial space.

• • • Confidential Corporate Client

Evaluated leases, easements, and use rights for 50 mega-watt geothermal power plant and steam field expansion in geysers area of northern California.

• • • SoccerWorld, Inc.

Obtained Planning Commission decision rejecting City Attorneys’ recommended access conditions on permits for indoor soccer facility in four-hour hearing attended by over 100 interested citizens.

• • • Jeffrey v. City of Pleasanton

Reversed City Council’s final imposition of conditions on permit by filing suit alleging regulatory taking and violations of the Brown Act.  Successfully negotiated a favorable and early settlement.

MEMBERSHIPS

• • • • • Member – State Bar of California
        • Member – Sacramento County Bar Association, Civil Litigation Section
        • Member – Placer County Bar Association, Litigation Section
        • Member – The Order of the Coif

ACTIVITIES

• • • • • • • Adjunct Professor of Law – UOP McGeorge: 2010-2017
            • Presiding Judge – UC Davis School of Law, Mock Trial Competition: 2016
            • Judge – UOP McGeorge, Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition: 2014
            • President and Board Member – Sac. Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc.: 2006-2009

HONORS

• • • • • • • • Valedictorian, The UOP McGeorge School of Law: 2008
              • Client Champion – Martindale-Hubble: 2018
              • Top Lawyer – Sacramento Magazine: 2017-2018
              • Northern California Super Lawyer Rising Star: 2016-2017
              • First in Class (Witkin Award) in: Contracts, Property, Business Associations, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Professional Responsibility, Torts, Evidence & Computer Assisted Litigation