Daniel L. O'Neil

2024 HYLA March CLE

What's Trending in Nonprofit D&O Claims and Litigation

2023 HYLA April CLE

What’s Trending in Professional Liability Claims and Litigation

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.

Representative Experience

Obtained unanimous total defense jury verdict as designated lead counsel in Harris County, Texas on behalf of Fortune 500 truck leasing company in an alleged catastrophic injury that occurred on the steps of a yard mule.

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.