Career
Drawing upon his deep knowledge of Native American law, including his unique insights into the federal government’s relations with tribal nations, Daniel serves as a trusted advisor to his clients in a wide array of transactional and litigation matters.
Daniel focuses on advising clients in matters involving federal Indian law, Tribal law, renewable and nonrenewable energy and federal regulatory compliance. He has extensive experience in litigation matters in federal, Tribal and state courts, including cases of first impression in federal appellate and tribal supreme courts.
Daniel also represents clients in administrative appeals and alternative dispute proceedings, including service as an arbitrator.
Demonstrating his broad expertise working with tribes, Daniel has served as the Attorney General for two federally recognized Indian tribes in Oklahoma. His experience includes tribal sovereign rights, economic development, jurisdictional disputes, commercial transactions, casino financing, treaty rights, energy development, real estate and government contracting.
He previously served as counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, where he worked on landmark federal legislation, such as VAWA and the HEARTH Act, with a particular focus on natural resource development on federal and Indian lands. Daniel is recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers and Chambers USA as an outstanding attorney in his fields of practice.
Daniel grew up in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, the heart of the Osage Indian Reservation, and is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, a federally recognized Indian Tribe. Outside of work, Daniel is an active leader in the community. He serves as Vice Chair of the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission, which is a group of Native American community leaders appointed to advance Native American culture, services and relations within the Tulsa community.
Expert in these Jurisdictions
Oklahoma
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court of the United States
Cherokee Nation Tribal Court
Kaw Nation Tribal Court
Muscogee (Creek) Nation Tribal Court
Quapaw Nation Tribal Court
Sac and Fox Nation Tribal Court
