Daniel L. O'Neil
Diversity Committee
Houston
713-403-8201
Daniel O’Neil is an experienced dispute resolution and litigation lawyer. Daniel is a member of the firm’s Professional Liability section, where he pursues creative solutions to resolve complicated issues in professional malpractice, catastrophic injury, and other disputes.
Daniel maintains a diverse practice defending and counseling lawyers, accountants, real estate agents and brokers, surveyors, insurance agents, and other professionals, as well as representing clients in mass tort and product liability defense. Daniel is passionate about making sure that licensed professionals occupy the space and leverage the opportunity to tell their side of the story when their livelihood and reputation are threatened by allegations.
Background
Before joining Thompson Coe, Daniel served as Texas house counsel for one of the nation’s leading specialized P&C insurers which included several claims involving fatalities. Prior to that, he served in the Products, Pharma, Medical, and Mass Tort Disputes group in one of the world’s largest international law firms as well as a nationally acclaimed litigation boutique defending aviation and maritime catastrophic incidents.
After earning his J.D., Daniel continued his formal education in the law earning a Master of Laws (Legum Magister) in Tax Law. The quantitative and analytical skills developed in the specialized program—including an externship in the Internal Revenue Service’s Office of Chief Counsel, Large Business & International Division—have assisted clients in tax controversy & litigation disputes with state taxing authorities and the Internal Revenue Service as well as in representing tax professionals directly in other disputes.
Daniel has worked extensively with clients who are facing their first, dreaded interaction with the legal system as a named party and he works diligently to explain what to expect and analyzes the options for moving forward in an easy-to-understand way. No matter what type of dispute or how complex it may be, Daniel advises clients with an eye toward early and efficient resolution.
Representative Experience
Through effective litigation, settled a high-exposure legal malpractice claim at mediation for less than had been offered to the claimant as a pre-suit offer.
Successfully argued Motion to Strike and Exclude Expert (Certified Public Accountant) Opinions in an accounting malpractice dispute in the pretrial conference one week before trial was set to begin, leading to dismissal of all claims against client.
Hours after delivering the opening statement in a jury trial—before Plaintiff called their first witness—settled a catastrophic injury professional liability dispute under favorable terms for nuisance value.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a residential real estate broker and realtor in a professional liability dispute asserting fraud in a real estate transaction, negligent supervision, breach of fiduciary duty, and violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Represented Fortune 500 consumer products company in a billion-dollar (plus) products liability MDL by taking over 40 depositions of plaintiffs, fact witnesses, and experts.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a Fortune 500 electric and gas utility in a personal injury lawsuit involving cows allegedly on the roadway during a morning commute. Defended utility in a variety of other disputes involving personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, and other claims.
Through effective litigation and offering $0 at mediation, obtained a complete nonsuit from Pro Se Plaintiff on behalf of utility in a property damage lawsuit ten minutes before jury selection began in what would have been a first-chair trial.
Through effective litigation and plaintiff storming out of mediation, obtained a complete nonsuit from plaintiff the night before the pretrial conference (well past the statute of limitations to refile) on behalf of a natural gas service technician shockingly alleged to have “run over” a pedestrian in the street with a Ford F-550 truck.
Sustained $2.1M business credit for pharmaceutical industry client in tax controversy & litigation.
Assisted numerous pro bono clients with deathbed Wills in hospitals, service as an annual volunteer with HBA’s Will-A-Thon, assisted countless U.S. veterans with unique estate planning needs through Houston Volunteer Lawyers, and volunteered to help numerous families in the Third and Fifth Wards replace estate planning documents lost or destroyed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
Professional Recognition
Fellow
Fellow
Fellow
Fellow
Graduate
President’s Award Winner for Outstanding Committee Co-Chair
Daniel O’Neil Day Proclamation
Outstanding Small Firm Contribution Award to the Houston Volunteer Lawyers
Designated as Probate Master
Related Resources
Related Services
Publications & Speaking Engagements
Education, Admissions & Activities
Education
University of Houston Law Center
LL.M., 2011
Staff, Houston Business and Tax Law Journal
South Texas College of Law
J.D., 2010
Phi Delta Phi
Pro Bono Honors Program Certificate
CALI Awards in Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law and Texas Marital Property
Southern Methodist University
B.A., 2007
Golden Key International Honor Society
National Ethics Traveling Team
Bar Admissions
Texas
2010
Court Admissions
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Tax Court
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
United States District Court of Texas
Northern, Southern
Pro Hac Vice
Northern District of Florida
Professional and Community Activities
Leadership Houston Class XLI
Fellow
Houston Young Lawyers Foundation
Trustee, 2021-2023; Chair of the Poker Tournament Charity Event, 2021-2023
Houston Young Lawyers Association
Director, 2020-2022; CLE Committee Chair, 2019-2022; Spanish Class Committee Chair, 2020-2021
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Evergreen Young Professional Member
University of Houston Alumni Association
Life Member
Meals on Wheels, Houston Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House
Volunteer
College of the State Bar of Texas
State Bar of Texas
Pro Bono College
Mortar Board Honor Society