Before joining Reed Smith, Daniel spent a decade at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, holding the positions of senior litigation counsel, acting chief, and deputy chief in the Criminal Division. Daniel focused on investigating and prosecuting complex fraud, RICO, and public corruption cases, and handled some of the office’s most high profile and challenging white-collar matters. Daniel also led cross-border matters in coordination with governmental authorities in Asia and provided training for South Korean prosecutors and judges at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in Seoul and at Seoul National University School of Law.

Over his 10-year career as a federal prosecutor, Daniel forged strong relationships with officials at DOJ as well as at U.S. attorney’s offices and partnering agencies across the country, including county DA offices, state AG offices, the FBI, and many others. With his experience, Daniel brings key insights to clients navigating government actions, including those initiated through grand jury subpoenas, HIPAA subpoenas, and civil investigative demands.

Daniel has substantial trial and appellate experience. For his trial work, Daniel has received numerous awards from DOJ, FBI, IRS, and DOL for demonstrated excellence in the prosecution of complex fraud and public corruption. For his appellate work, Daniel has received multiple “best brief” accolades.

Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Daniel was an associate in the Washington office of Gibson Dunn, where he handled FCPA, securities enforcement, and U.S. Supreme Court matters. He was also a trial attorney in DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, entering through the Attorney General’s Honors Program. Upon graduation from law school, Daniel served as a law clerk to Judge Gary L. Taylor of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and Judge Johnnie B. Rawlinson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Daniel earned his law degree from the University of Southern California, where he was editor-in-chief of the Southern California Law Review.

Daniel serves as a Lawyer Representative from the Central District of California to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and as a regional committee member of the USC Gould Alumni Association. Daniel also serves as a director of the Orange County Korean American Bar Association and, while a federal prosecutor, served as a director of the Korean Prosecutors Association and a Girl Scouts troop leader. Currently, Daniel serves as an adjunct lecturer in law at USC, where he co-teaches Cybersecurity and Cybercrime. Previously, Daniel taught as an adjunct professor at a local law school and university, receiving the latter’s Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award and Circle of Excellence in Teaching Award.

Before law school, Daniel earned a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and served as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill.