Nixon Peabody is expanding its Complex Commercial Disputes practice with the arrival of experienced trial attorney Daniel A. Schnapp as partner in New York City.
Dan has over 20 years of experience handling high-profile cases—including “bet-the-company” disputes—in industries spanning financial services, technology, hedge funds, entertainment, real estate and insurance. He focuses his practice litigating cases in federal and state courts and arbitration tribunals.
In addition to trying and arbitrating complex business matters—from shareholder and partnership disputes to M&A litigation—Dan has extensive experience handling government and regulatory investigations on behalf of clients across the country.
“Dan’s energy and enthusiasm are matched only by his strength as a trial lawyer, managing trials as first chair,” said Jonathan Sablone, co-leader of Nixon Peabody’s Complex Commercial Disputes practice. “We see synergies between his skills and our work in financial services, art law and ERISA, among others, and we’re excited to see his practice grow from our national platform.”
An adept litigator, Dan’s notable experience includes: representing a corporate client in an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission on the process of valuing and marketing collateralized debt obligation in connection with sub-prime mortgage loans; serving as trial counsel in an arbitration before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority in defense of a corporate client in a matter relating to investment banking advisory fee; and representing a famous musician in a trademark dispute over the band name “Blackstreet.”
“Clients choose to work with Dan because he’s a big-picture thinker, strategic and sensitive to the risk inherent in litigation,” said Joe Lynch, managing partner of Nixon Peabody’s New York City office. “He’ll fit in perfectly with our New York City litigators and we look forward to introducing him to our clients across industries.”
Dan is a member of the American Arbitration Association’s Roster of Neutrals, a select group of attorneys known for resolving disputes in a cost and time efficient way. In his free time, he provides for Lawyers for the Arts. Dan attended Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and earned a B.A. in Business Administration from George Washington University.
In 2019, U.S. News/Best Lawyers ranked Nixon Peabody as National Tier One in Commercial Litigation, Litigation—First Amendment, and Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions—Defendants. The group advises public and private companies, corporate officers, directors, shareholders and other parties on high-exposure disputes, class action and aggregate litigation and international arbitration.
