Daniel A. Katz
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My practice consists primarily of employment law. I focus on cases seeking recourse for unpaid wages, overtime wages, and illegal termination; civil rights law, including discrimination in employment and public accommodations; personal injury; professional licensing; and, general litigation.
I have litigated cases under federal and state wage payment laws, as well as federal and state anti-discrimination laws. In these matters, I have represented individuals who have been discriminated against because of their race, sex, national origin, disability, and age. I also represent individuals in personal injury cases. I've helped families from all walks of life work through adoption and guardianship issues. In addition, my practice involves other types of civil litigation, including contract claims.
In the practice of law, it is key that clients have all the information necessary to make the decisions that affect them. My clients know that I will always be accessible, honest with them about their options, and in their corner to fight for their rights. I litigate in all state and federal courts in Maryland and the District of Columbia.
The majority of my clients are referred to me by former clients, or through my extensive contacts with community-based agencies, including non-profit legal service providers. As a fluent Spanish speaker, I am able to offer representation to the Hispanic community, who otherwise often experience difficulty in obtaining legal representation due to language and cultural barriers.
Because of my concern with the rights of low-income workers, I served as a founding member of the Board of Directors of the District of Columbia Employment Justice Center, from 2000 – 2003, and presently serve on its Board of Advisors. I continue to provide pro bono legal services to low-income workers through that agency, as well as to Hispanic and immigrant workers through pro bono assistance provided to CASA of Maryland. I am a member of the Boards of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association (MWELA) and the Maryland Employment Lawyers Association (MELA), both organizations dedicated to defending the rights of employees on the job. As part of my association with MWELA and MELA, I regularly moderate panels on employment law issues at annual MWELA and MELA conferences, and assist in the preparation of appellate cases. In addition, I have prepared amicus "friend of the court" briefs on various employment issues litgated in both Maryland and Washington, D.C., and provide pro bono assistance to the Employment Hotline sponsored by the Women's Law Center of Maryland.
Reflecting these commitments, I have been appointed Plaintiff's representative in employment discrimination cases before the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights. I am also a member of the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association. I am often asked to participate in community forums to provide information regarding employees' rights. In the last year, I have participated in forums sponsored by Hispanic community organizations, as well as PTA chapters.
I was born in New York and graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA with a B.A. in liberal arts. I graduated summa cum laude from the District of Columbia School of Law in 1994. After law school, I served as Law Clerk to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. While in law school, I served as editor of the law review, and was awarded the Dean's Cup for community service and received the Julius Hobson Merit Scholarship. Prior to law school, I participated in national efforts to develop non-profit legal services organizations to serve immigrant communities, and directed immigrant legal services projects in Texas and Washington, DC.