Dan skillfully combines his extensive litigation experience with his background as a CPA to tackle complex financial cases. He also manages contentious custody disputes where agreements are hard to reach. His knowledge of the DSM-5 enables him to address issues related to substance abuse, mental health disorders, and other psychological challenges effectively.
Prior to law school, Dan worked as a Certified Public Accountant and held the position of senior audit associate at Coopers & Lybrand. He began his legal career as a litigation associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where he represented clients in various disputes involving intellectual property, corporate governance, and breach of contract, developing innovative legal arguments in the process. Notably, Dan was part of the trial team that achieved the largest award against the U.S. Government on behalf of owners of a seized Savings & Loan in the Court of Federal Claims.
After his time at Cravath, Dan joined Kirkland & Ellis, where he became a litigation partner, representing banks and brokerages in investigations and arbitrations. He also participated in bankruptcy proceedings on behalf of creditor committees, continuing to develop novel legal arguments, including those related to First Amendment rights.
Dan left his partnership at Kirkland to fulfill his ambition of applying his litigation expertise to matrimonial law, becoming one of the few “BigLaw” partners to do so in New York. His career has involved handling some of the most challenging cases due to their complexity or the difficulty of the opposing counsel. He has unraveled intricate financial situations involving both domestic and foreign trusts, litigating valuation disputes worth billions across various asset classes.
Together with his colleagues, Dan represented a client in the largest equitable distribution case in New York, achieving a unanimous victory on appeal. He also represented a hedge fund principal in the second-largest case, which settled on favorable terms mid-trial.
In a recent arbitration, Dan’s cross-examination led to a witness invoking the Fifth Amendment after admitting to perjury, resulting in an unprecedented arbitration award for his client, later confirmed by a court.
Due to his strong litigation background and insight into challenging personalities, Dan is often sought by clients looking to escape toxic relationships, providing guidance and support through difficult circumstances. He believes these cases, where he stands up against bullying, are among the most critical he handles.
Despite high-conflict engagements, Dan has cultivated lasting relationships with many of his adversaries, turning them into friends and partners. He has a strong track record of settling cases, often without stepping into court, and advocates for alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration.
Dan recognizes that many clients cannot afford legal services, which is why he supervises several pro bono cases each year. Since 2020, he has been ranked by Chambers and Partners, recently achieving the prestigious Band 1 ranking as the youngest lawyer in New York to receive this honor. He has also been recognized by the Hollywood Reporter as one of “Hollywood’s Troubleshooters” and has been voted a New York family law “Super Lawyer” since 2013.
Dan is a former board member of the New York University School of Law Alumni Association and has lectured on matrimonial issues at the New York State Bar Association’s invitation. While he values the recognition he has received, he prioritizes resolving disputes discreetly, respecting clients’ privacy rights. If necessary, he can work with a network of journalists and PR professionals to manage media events.
Before co-founding RFB+Fisher Potter Hodas, Dan was a name partner at Cohen Clair Lans Greifer Thorpe & Rottenstreich LLP, significantly growing the firm while achieving notable trial victories and settlements.
Originally from Brooklyn, Dan has strong ties to South Florida, having been a Miami Dolphins fan since childhood. He attended the University of Miami School of Law, where he won several academic awards. He interned for U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry L. Garber and clerked for U.S. District Court Judge William M. Hoeveler. Dan now divides his time between Long Island and Manhattan with his wife and three children.
