How Daniel Helps Clients

Commercial real estate developers, retailers, large construction firms, and public utility companies rely on Daniel Gonzalez’s proficiency as a leading provider of appellate solutions. He has briefed and supervised the briefing in over 200 civil and criminal appeals and writ proceedings in the state and federal courts. He has argued as lead appellate counsel in a number of cases before the California Supreme Court, including Presbyterian Camp and Conference Centers, Inc. v. Superior Court (2021) __ Cal.5th __, which explained the liability of property owners for taxpayer funds used to suppress and investigate wildfires, and Prachasaisoradej v. Ralphs Grocery Co., Inc. (2007) 42 Cal.4th 217, which upheld the legality of profit-based compensation under California’s wage laws.

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Daniel is formerly a partner at the firm, which he joined in 1984. Before joining Horvitz & Levy, Daniel was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Central District of California, Criminal Division, and before that, a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles.

Representative Matters

Acqua Vista Homeowners Association v. MWI, Inc. (2017)
California Court of Appeal reversed a $24 million verdict with directions to enter judgment in favor of a pipe supplier's client, resolving an issue of considerable importance to California’s residential construction industry with respect to the interpretation and enforcement of the groundbreaking “Right to Repair Act” (Civil Code sec. 895, et seq.).

Ralphs Grocery Co. v. Midtown Shopping Center Ass'n (2015)
California Court of Appeal reversed judgment for a landlord in rent dispute of significant institutional importance, with directions to enter judgment for the grocer.

Guo v. American Plus Bank (2013)
California Court of Appeal reversed a verdict holding the bank liable for conspiracy and fraud, with directions to enter judgment for the bank.

Huitt v. Southern California Gas Co. (2010)
California Court of Appeal reversed a $12.2 million personal injury judgment, with directions to enter judgment for the utility company.

Education

• Stanford University Law School
  J.D., Order of the Coif, 1976
• Georgetown University
  B.S., magna cum laude, 1973

Clerkships

• Hon. Joseph H. Young, U.S. District Court, District of Maryland (1976-1977)

Bar Admissions

• California
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Central District of California
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of California

Professional Associations

• Association of Business Trial Lawyers
• Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
• California Academy of Appellate Lawyers
• Los Angeles County Bar Association

Awards

• “AV Preeminent” rated by Martindale Hubbell
• Best Lawyers (2010-2023)
• Super Lawyers (2012-2024)

Publications

• Prachasaisoradej v. Ralph's Grocery: Profit-Based Incentive Plans Given the Green Light (Jan. 2008) California Labor & Employment Law Review, Vol. 22, No. 1, p. 5