Daniel D. Swanson

Senior Shareholder
Board of Directors

dswanson@sommerspc.com
toll free: 1-800-967-1234
phone: (248) 746-4046
fax: (248) 936-2172

Mr. Swanson has extensive experience in employment litigation, handling claims of breach of employment contract, non-competition agreements, discrimination, defamation, sales representative commission disputes and other employment-related actions. In addition, he regularly represents individuals in severance negotiations. He also has substantial commercial litigation experience and acts as a state court case evaluator for employment and complex commercial litigation cases. In other work, his clients have included automotive suppliers, vocational schools, computer sales and services companies and a wholesale food distributor. Daniel has achieved two multi-million dollar trial verdicts in his career.

Education:
- The University of Michigan Law School, JD
- University of Michigan, BGL

Areas of Practice:
- Employment Law
- Employment Discrimination Litigation
- Compensation Disputes
- Sexual Harassment

Bar Admissions:
- State of Michigan

Accomplishments:
- Obtaining two multimillion dollar trial verdicts.
- "Best Lawyers in America" in Employment Law: 1995 to Present
- Top 100 Michigan Super Lawyers: 2006, 2008, 2010
- Michigan Super Lawyers: 2006 to Presnet
- Elected to the Council of Labor and Employment: Section of the State Bar of Michigan (2004).
- American Constitutional Society, Board of Directors
- Author, "Damages from A to Z in Employment Actions: The Plaintiff's Perspective", The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 33rd Annual Labor & Employment Law Institute Seminar.

Honors:
- Listed in Best Lawyers annually since 1995
- dbsiness Top Lawyer 2012
- Designated as "Super Lawyer"© 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Elected Positions:
- September 2011, Treasurer for the Labor & Employment Council of the State Bar
- June, 2011, Cooley Professionalism Advisory Committee, Cooley Law School
- January 2010, elected to serve on the Board of Directors of Cass Community Social Services. Cass Community Social Services, a non-profit that helps the poor in Detroit
- July 2010, elected to serve on the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice.

Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- Michigan Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section Treasurer
- Michigan Employment Lawyers Association
- Michigan Association for Justice
- State Court, Mediator
- Oakland County Bar Association, - Labor and Employment Section, Past Chairman
- American Constitution Society, Board of Directors
- Birmingham Country Club, Board of Directors
- Cass Community Social Services, Board of Directors

Speaking Engagements:
- ICLE's 36th Annual Labor & Employment Law Institute - Topic: Enforcing Non-Compete Agreements in a Reduction in Force Environment. Scheduled for April 14-15, 2011 in Plymouth, MI.
- CPE Mega Conference in October 2010: Wilderness of Employment Law: The Employer's Compass

Published Work:
- Author, "Damages from A to Z in Employment Actions: The Plaintiff's Perspective", The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 33^rd Annual Labor & Employment Law Institute Seminar
- Author, "Enforcing Noncompetition Agreement Claims", "Employment Litigation in Michigan, Second Edition", The Institute of Continuing Education
- Author, "Employment Law Track: Pre-Suit Settlement Talks Good Practice or A Sign Of Weakness", 2006
- Author, "Twelve Critical Questions That Must Be Asked To Successfully Represent An Employee Against A Former Employer Seeking To Enforce A Non-Competition Agreement", 2001

Media Appearances:
- The Today Show
- Good Morning America
- CNN Headline News
- Fox Business and News Networks

Client Testimonials:

-Client, a former high level auto company executive, was separated after more than 20 years of service subsequent to her raising concerns about the company violating federal and state laws. The client asserted that in retaliation for her having repeatedly raised these concerns, the company terminated her employment. After providing the company with a detailed draft federal court complaint asserting a violation of public policy claim and engaging in negotiations, the client received a severance package worth in excess of $800,000. Client subsequently commented on Mr. Swanson's services:"I want to thank you for your excellent representation of me in my matter with [my employer]. As unpleasant as the matter was, I truly enjoyed working with you and felt very well represented throughout. If I should be aware of someone in need of employment law advice, I will be certain to recommend you."

-Client, a sixty-three year old female professional was placed on a performance improvement plan and was on the verge of being terminated. The client's male manager (who was at least 20 years younger) placed her on this plan despite having failed to provide her with annual performance goals as required under the company's human resource policies and otherwise subjected her to different and more stringent performance standards than younger employees. After counseling the client in her dealings with employer, she was removed from the performance improvement plan and retained her employment. Client subsequently commented on Mr. Swanson's services: "Thank you for your assistance which certainly contributed to the favorable outcome of my PIP. Although I hope the future does not require your services, I will certainly not hesitate to contact you."

-Client, the former Director of Quality Assurance for a major international bank, was wrongfully retaliated against after he cooperated with an investigation by the Department of Justice concerning the bank's fraudulent mortgage loan activities. After the client complained about his employer's illegal activities, the Department of Justice launched an investigation and sought to take his deposition. In retaliation for the client's complaints, the bank placed him on indefinite administrative leave and informed him that he could not return to his position as its Director of Quality Assurance. Sommers Schwartz stepped in to advise the bank of its illegal retaliatory actions and subsequently negotiated a favorable severance package on the client's behalf. The client later commented on the services of his attorneys, Mr. Dan Swanson and Mr. Jesse Young: "I believe that you and Jesse were very professional. More important, you were patient with respect to my lack of experience in this situation. You took time to explain why one path was better than another. You listened carefully and offered sound advice and counsel. I will always appreciate your professional and measured approach. You recommended a path that led to a speedy settlement. I did not have to spend a long period of time in litigation with no guarantee of success."

-Client, a long time public high school principal, was falsely accused of inappropriate conduct relative to school financial matters. After being placed on administrative leave, she was subsequently forced to resign her employment. The Client retained the firm to address issues regarding outstanding contractual and compensation issues. After an administrative hearing the matter was successfully resolved and the client commented on the services of her attorneys, Mr. Dan Swanson and Mr. Jesse Young: "You and your entire staff were very professional and sincere in your handling and solving of my issues. You were committed to customer satisfaction and it showed through your leadership. Your insightfulness, experience and performance, provided me with much support and confidence. Thank you!"

-Client, the former Chief Executive Officer of an company which provided employee vision insurance and operated retail stores offering eyewear and related services, fired after she was falsely accused of embezzling company funds. At the time of her firing, she was on an FMLA medical leave. The firm filed suit on the client's behalf and engaged in extensive discovery. The disputed was subsequently resolved at a mediation hearing. Client later commented on the services of her attorneys, Mr. Dan Swanson and Mr. Jesse Young: "I felt your service was great; Jesse did a wonderful job and followed through with all my requests. I was very satisfied with Sommers Schwartz and will always remember you when a friend needs legal help. Thanks for a good job it could not have successful without you both."

-Client, the former Chief Financial Officer of a large automotive supplier, was wrongfully discharged after he "blew the whistle" on his employer for entering into a fraudulent loan transaction with another supplier. The firm filed suit on the client's behalf and the complaint alleged that the loan violated statutory lending laws. After extensive discovery, the case was successfully resolved at mediation. The Client later commented on the services of his attorneys, Mr. Dan Swanson and Mr. Jesse Young: "I was very happy with the service you, Jesse and the firm provided. You guys handled yourself in a very professional manner and were true advocates for me during this entire process. I am sure you know better than I, but you guys are not only attorneys but also psychologists. You talked me in off the ledge at various times throughout the process when I had to hear first hand and see in writing the ludicrous statements made by the defendant. You, Jesse and your firm will always be in my good graces and I will certainly refer anyone that needs your help.

- Client, an investment banking analyst for a nationwide bank, was laid off by her employer. At the time of her lay off, client's employer owed her funds under the company's bonus plan, which it subsequently refused to pay. Prior to commencing litigation, the firm negotiated a favorable severance package which allowed client to recover the money owed to her under the bonus plan. Client later commented on the services of her attorneys, Mr. Dan Swanson and Mr. Tad Roumayah. "I had a wonderful experience with you and Tad! I think that coming into your office, I was lacking a lot of knowledge about what my rights and options were with my former employer and I was very appreciative of how you presented all the facts and tools at my disposal. I think the outcome was great, in spite of my former employer's attempts at dodging the issue and I am extremely happy in my new position. I do not think I would have been in this new position if I had truly allowed the stress of the situation with my former employer get to me while I was interviewing. A big reason for which I was able to keep my stress levels down was that I knew you and Tad were on top of making sure that my former employer was held responsible. Overall a wonderful job and I will definitely recommend you to my friends in the Michigan area!"

-Client, a human resource professional employed by a automobile manufacturer, was wrongfully discharged in violation of both state and federal anti-discrimination laws. Prior to commencing litigation, the firm negotiated a favorable severance package on the client's behalf. Client later commented on the services of her attorneys, Mr. Dan Swanson and Mr. Tad Roumayah: "We are pleased with the job that you have done for us, especially with respect to your thoroughness and professionalism! You both presented yourselves in a genuine and professional manner, and this is precisely why we retained you. In addition, communicating with you throughout this process was fluid and much appreciated."

Client, an engineer at a Michigan utility company, was retaliated against after he complained to his employer about safety violations. After complaining about his employer's unlawful actions, he was transferred to another position and was ultimately fired. Prior to commencing litigation, the firm negotiated a favorable severance package on the client's behalf. Client later commented on the services of his attorneys, Mr. Dan Swanson and Mr. Tad Roumayah: "I wanted to thank you for your assistance in resolving the matter with my employer. I was impressed by yours and Tad's strengths, which included the following:

You listened to my complaints and were able to determine what laws my employer violated.
You kept me involved in the case and incorporated my opinions into the process.
You were diligent in sifting through the documentation that I provided and also requested information from me to learn what I was saying and to clearly understand my perspective.
You provided me with guidance on how I should act as your client and be part of the team.
You were patient with me and asked your questions in various ways until you were sure that I understood your requests. As a result, I was able to provide you with all of the information that you needed.
You had an exceptional grasp of the law.
You were willing to support me either on an hourly basis, as a representative in arbitration or as a partner in litigation.
You both have pleasant personalities and are enjoyable to associate with. I felt like we could be friends!"

-Case handled by Dan Swanson and Jesse Young - "I was very happy with the service you, Jesse and the firm provided. You guys handled yourself in a very professional manner and were true advocates for me during this entire process. I am sure you know better than I, but you guys are not only attorney's but also psychologists. You talked me in off the ledge at various times throughout the process when I had to hear first hand and see in writing the ludicrous statements my by the defendant. You, Jesse and your firm will always be in my good graces and I will certainly refer anyone that needs your help, not only in employment matters, but also other specialties". Pat F

- Case handled by Dan Swanson and Kevin Stoops - "I want to thank the both of you for the hard work you put in to our case. For me it was the first time I had ever been involved in litigation against anybody, was not sure what to expect and was worried about the out come. Throughout the process you both demonstrated understanding for the emotional roller coaster your clients were going through, keeping us on track until the conclusion of the case. Your advise and guidance were spot on...once again, thank you". John W

- Case handled by Dan Swanson and Kevin Stoops: "Going through this process was a totally new experience for me, but the way you and your firm conducted it was certainly reassuring. Please exend my gratitude to all the people involved". Lucas R

Daniel D. Swanson
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