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Daniel N. Nightingale

Associate

P. 3032441974 | F. 303.244.1879
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Education

  • University of Chicago Law School
    J.D., 2015, elected to Order of the Coif, Kirkland and Ellis Scholar, Joseph Henry Beale Prize for Legal Research and Writing, The Chicago Journal of International Law – Comments Editor
  • Truman State University
    B.S. 2011, summa cum laude

Government Service

Law Clerk to The Honorable Allison Eid of the Supreme Court of Colorado

Law Clerk to The Honorable Joseph Bianco of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Legal Intern, Attorney General of Texas, Office of the Solicitor General

Legal Intern, Office of the United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois
 

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Colorado
  • Texas
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, D. Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, E.D. Texas
  • U.S. District Court, N.D. Texas
  • U.S. District Court, S.D. Texas
  • U.S. District Court, W.D. Texas

Biography

Daniel Nightingale represents clients in high-stakes appeals and commercial litigation nationwide. He primarily helps clients navigate challenging cases on appeal and through major motions practice. Dan has briefed and argued cases in courts across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court and four federal circuit courts. In fact, one of his amicus briefs was quoted in a 2022 Supreme Court concurrence.

In addition to his appellate practice, Dan also regularly supports trial teams with high level strategy, pre- and post-trial briefing, and complex legal analysis in order to maximize favorable results. He has also delivered opening statements, examined witnesses, and argued critical motions at trial.  

Prior to joining WTO, Dan was an associate at a litigation boutique in Houston. He also served judicial clerkships in the Colorado Supreme Court and in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

Cases

  • Won reversal of multiple adverse rulings in the Fifth Circuit for a publisher raising First Amendment challenges to state statutes that limit the distribution of information on 3-D printed firearms.
  • Represented several minority groups in filing a U.S. Supreme Court amicus brief that was quoted in a concurring opinion in a major challenge to state firearms regulations that defines the scope of the Second Amendment right to bear arms outside the home.
  • Successfully defended the royalty interest owners of an oil well in the appeal of a $150 million class action verdict against the first oil purchaser.
  • Won affirmance of a favorable jury verdict for the general partner of a real estate company in a complex commercial dispute with limited partners.
  • Represented a corporate owner of a Texas liquor permit in an appeal challenging the state's attempt to invalidate the permit.
  • Represented the corporate agent of a hospital in an appeal seeking dismissal of a lawsuit that challenged the agent's First Amendment rights.
  • Represented the family of an oilfield worker killed in a pipeline explosion on appeal to defend a $20 million wrongful death verdict.
  • Won a take-nothing judgment after a full bench trial for an oil company in an employment dispute with an executive.
  • Representing a victim of police brutality on a pro bono basis in a civil rights case against a sheriff's deputy.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

    Articles

  • Comment: Autonomous Weapons & the Problem of State Accountability, 15 CHI. J. INT'L. L. 652 (Febuary 2015).

Other Experience

Beck Redden LLP

Legal Memberships, Activities, and Honors

Houston Bar Association 
Houston Young Lawyers Association
The Federalist Society

Personal Interests

Swing dance, mountain climbing, international travel

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