Biography

Dan is a Partner and the Chair of Preti Flaherty's Government Affairs Group. He focuses his practice on advocating for clients before the Maine Legislature, the Executive Branch and other state and federal governmental agencies. Dan focuses his practice on regulatory issues, including election and campaign finance law, having represented many elected officials including a former Governor, PACs and campaigns. He represents the statewide association of private non-profit colleges and universities. He also represents the largest medical marijuana dispensary in Maine and has several gaming clients, including a Maine-based casino. Dan has extensive knowledge of the citizen initiative process, having taken clients successfully through this process to business formation.

Prior to joining Preti Flaherty, Dan served as Legal Counsel to the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, advising on constitutional, procedural and policy issues. He also completed two clerkships with Judges Gregory K. Orme and James Z. Davis of the Utah Court of Appeals, and formerly practiced as an associate with the litigation group of a Utah-based firm, where he represented Microsoft for two years in Caldera v. Microsoft, a private antitrust case.

Professional Activities

  • Maine State Bar Association
  • Board of Directors, New England Council 
  • Maine Marijuana Advisory Commission

Honors & Recognition

  • Selected by his peers for inclusion in Woodward/White's Best Lawyers in America

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Leadership Maine, Pi Class, Maine Development Foundation
  • Maine Coast Waldorf School, Board Member (2018)
  • Center for Wellness Leadership, Board Member, Secretary (2016)
  • Freeport United Soccer Club, Board Member (2016)
  • Advisory Board Member, Wolfe's Neck Farm 

Publications/Presentations

  • Published articles in the Portland Press Herald and the Media Law Resource Center Newsletter on Election Law and Media Law
  • Presented Lecture on Media Law for Lorman Seminars
  • Presented Lectures on Maine Legislative and Lobbying Law for the University of Maine School of Law, the Maine State Bar Association and the Maine Association of Nonprofits

Firm Highlights

Publication

Primary Round-Up

Primary Round-Up As you are probably aware, primary elections in Maine took place on Tuesday, June 14, and there were a handful that could be significant to the general election outcome in November. Congressional...

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November 2022 Election Update

Maine State House Most of us who are obsessed with electoral politics expected a tight Gubernatorial race and, if not changes in control of the House or Senate, much closer margins between the majority...

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November 2022 Election Update

Maine State House Most of us who are obsessed with electoral politics expected a tight Gubernatorial race and, if not changes in control of the House or Senate, much closer margins between the majority...

Publication

Portland Referenda and Legislative Leadership Update

In addition to all the state and national legislative races that were (mostly) decided by Wednesday morning, there were also 13 referendum questions on the Portland municipal ballot and one in Bar Harbor of...

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Committee Assignments

Committee assignments for the 131st Maine State Legislature have been made public. This article from the Bangor Daily News mentions some of the most interesting choices made by Senate President Jackson and Speaker Rachel...

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End of Session Update

The Second Regular Session of the 130th Maine State Legislature finally adjourned Sine Die, or “without day”, on Monday, May 9. Lawmakers voted on the 5 vetoes sent to them by Governor Mills, and...

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Swearing-In Day Summary

Presiding Officers, Parliamentarians, and Constitutional Officers  The first day of the 131st Legislature was relatively uneventful, and what was most notable is what didn’t happen – the Governor’s emergency energy relief bill. The results...

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Pre-Session Leadership Update

Since our last update before Thanksgiving, House Democrats have chosen their leadership team. They have chosen Rep. Rachel Talbot-Ross, D-Portland, as their candidate for Speaker of the House, the Hon. Rob Hunt to continue...

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Pre-Session Legislative Update

LD 3 “An Act to Establish the Winter Energy Relief Payment Program to Aid Residents with High Heating Costs and to Finalize the COVID Pandemic Relief Payment Program” After Governor Mills’ heating and housing...