A national authority on all aspects of employment law
Dan Swanson has extensive experience in employment litigation, arbitration, mediation and negotiation. While Dan handles most aspects of employment law, he is considered an authority on the following types of claims:
- Breach of Employment Contract
- Non-Competition Agreements
- Discrimination (race, age, sex, disability etc.)
- Whistleblower Claims
- Wrongful Termination
- Sales Representative Commission Disputes
- Family & Medical Leave Act Claims
- Severance Negotiations
Daniel Swanson was motivated to become a lawyer after observing how the law and courts could affect positive change during the Civil Rights movement. Having held a variety of jobs since he was 12 years old (including a newspaper delivery boy, a grave digger and a corrections officer) Dan appreciates how important a person’s job is, not just to them, but also to their family. As an employment lawyer, Dan gets great satisfaction working with employees and employers across all industries to help assure fair treatment, equal opportunity and non-discrimination in the workplace for everyone.
Dan learned early on that obtaining justice for his clients is key, and litigation is not always the best means of approach. While confident in the courtroom, Dan derives intense personal satisfaction from employing alternate means to resolve his clients’ disputes, such as arbitration and mediation. Through these avenues, clients are often able to save considerable time and expense.
Imaginative and aggressive application of the law characterizes Dan’s philosophy when it comes to employment matters. His clients have described him as thoughtful, innovative, smart, caring, and responsive. Employment related disputes are often intense and personal, and his approach, knowledge of the law, sense of ethics, and passionate advocacy is critical to his ability to effectively represent and secure favorable outcomes for his clients.His track record of success is perhaps the best evidence of this claim.
When not handling complex employment law cases, Dan enjoys walking and cycling. He also spends much of his free time with his six grandchildren. Over the past few years, Dan and his wife have renovated several houses in the area. As a result, they enjoy occasionally watching television programs documenting others’ experiences in going through the home-renovation process, watching as they plan their renovation projects, overcome unexpected challenges and achieve their dream house.
Accomplishments
- Obtaining two multimillion dollar trial verdicts
- $385,000 employment settlement over statutory violations and breach of contract
- $320,000 settlement for police officer terminated in violation of whistleblower and Family & Medical Leave laws
- $175,000 settlement for a supply chain planner in an employment dispute involving Family and Medical Leave Act and Americans with Disabilities Act violations
- $167,000 severance agreement for a former law firm CIO
- $80,000 severance package for terminated human resources executive
- $75,000 severance package for company engineer
- Grant of summary judgment on behalf of deceased employee’s estate in ERISA life insurance benefits dispute
Memberships
- State Bar of Michigan, Former Chairperson, Labor & Employment Law Section
- Oakland County Bar Association, Former Chairperson, Labor & Employment Section
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- American Constitution Society, Former member of the Board of Directors
- Birmingham Country Club, Former Officer and Member of the Board of Directors
- Cass Community Social Services, Former Chairperson and Member of the Board of Directors
- Michigan Association for Justice, Former Executive Board Member
- Michigan State Courts, Case Evaluator
- Thomas Cooley Law School, Cooley Professionalism
Testimonials
I want to extend to both you and Tad a final thank you for your diligence in defending my case over the past several months. You put a great deal of time and energy into my defense, included me in the decision-making process, communicated with me regularly, and I am pleased with the outcome. It was an arduous process, but you remained steadfast in reassuring me along the way and I am grateful. I recommend you without reservation. Again, my most sincere thanks to each of you.
I was very happy with the service you 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 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.
I believe that you 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.
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.
I am very satisfied with your actions and performance specifically: the way you handled me and my concerns, identified the breach of contract issue, the skillful way you laid out a plan of action and then negotiate it to a good end. Most impressive was your preparedness at our face to face meeting. You obviously took some time to understand my situation. You engaged me in meaningful conversation from the legal standpoint and presented my options, in a way that I could understand and therefore make an informed decision. I am most grateful for your patience as you guided me to that point of understanding fielding all of my questions and originations. In addition, you have become a valuable resource and trusted advisor that will be a part of my future. This experience has educated me as to how I will handle my work in a rapidly changing world and competitive business environment.
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 advice and guidance were spot on… once again, thank you.
Going through this process was a totally new experience for me, but the way you and your firm conducted it was certainly reassuring. Please extend my gratitude to all the people involved.
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!
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!
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!
Dan, I was very satisfied with the services you and Tad provided to me. The most important item for me was you both responded to my questions and inquiries quickly. I appreciated that aspect of your service. I will recommend you and your firm’s services to my friends and family. Thanks for your help.
I felt your service was great. 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 been successful without you.
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.
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.
Unlike several other firms I considered, Sommers Schwartz responded almost immediately to the email I sent briefly explaining my situation, and Tad vetted my concerns over the phone to determine I had a potentially viable claim. After determining that to be the case, he promptly arranged for a meeting to finalize his inquiries, determined there were substantial grounds to move forward and arrange for my meeting with you. I was particularly impressed with the fact that you quickly cut to the chase and were candid in discounting the aspects of the case that were less compelling despite my initially believing otherwise. In preparing me for the mediation, you forced me to do a critical self-examination as to my degree of culpability in the matter, correctly anticipating areas of concern the mediator may have. You were on a short list of attorney’s I considered to represent me in this matter based on your standing in the legal community and I have no doubt that your reputation brought this matter to a resolution more expeditiously than a less highly regarded attorney would have been able to accomplish. I would absolutely consider using you if the need arises in the future and I will confidently recommend Sommers Schwartz to friends or family members in need of legal services.
I was very satisfied with Mr. Swanson’s approach toward this matter, in particular his desire to understand the details and the relevant context, which allowed him to define the proper strategy, emphasize the right items and expedite the entire process.
I felt from the beginning that Dan and Tad had my back and that my best interests were always at heart. All options and possible obstacles were clearly defined and repeated throughout the course of the litigation so that I was clear about my case at all times. I felt that within a short period of time, they fully understood my case, and advised me as to the best possible courses to take with the best possible outcomes.
I am more than reasonably satisfied with the outcome. The monetary consideration is one thing but the principle of the matter was very important to me. Civil rights were violated with discrimination. My character and integrity were in question. The dispute was settled in my favor and, with a great deal of my gratitude and respect for those of you in the legal profession. The scope and depth of the demand letter gave me all the confidence and comfort that my dispute would be managed by the best. It seems to me most all communications were timely and concrete, and I appreciate the team effort provided. On a very personal note I would like you gentlemen to know that for those of us that have been violated and need legal assistance, we must often wait for justice in quiet desperation. As such, the words I used above “confidence and comfort” came only from you and your team. This also gives meaning to the words: all comes to those who wait. Yes, I wanted to call you gentlemen more than once for updates! If I had a legal problem in the future, I would consider only calling your firm for assistance. I have already given a friend a recommendation to your firm.
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