Dane Butswinkas focuses his practice on trial and arbitration work. Based on his extensive experience trying cases throughout the United States in both state and federal courts, Law360 named him one of the top fifty "Trial Aces" in the nation. Benchmark Litigation recognized Dane as "National Commercial Lawyer of the Year" in February 2016.

Chambers USA reported that clients describe Dane as “‘[a]n extraordinary trial lawyer’ who is known for his ‘fantastic courtroom presence.’” Benchmark Litigation emphasized Dane’s “celebrated trial acumen,” noting that he is “recommended by his peers and clients alike for his ‘absolute trial-ready preparedness.’” The Legal 500 reported that clients single Dane out as a “once in a lifetime generation trial lawyer.”

A truly versatile commercial litigator, Dane has developed insight and experience in numerous sectors at the heart of the global economy. Dane’s experience in the financial services sector includes defending financial institutions, directors, officers, and countries in civil and criminal litigation involving securitizations, hedge funds, bond and mortgage markets, investment vehicle structuring, and corporate governance. He also defends corporations, directors and officers in actions arising under securities laws, deceptive trade practice statutes, RICO, ERISA, and the Clayton and Sherman Acts, as well as in grand jury investigations.

Dane’s diverse experience also includes defending corporations and individuals in product liability actions, including pharmaceutical companies in trials such as the Nexium, Baycol, Vioxx, and Seroquel litigations; in medical malpractice trials; and in the most significant defamation case to go to trial in many years.

In other sectors, Dane has defended companies in the food, telecommunications, technology, and power industries in commercial litigation throughout the United States as well as in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Dane also has a significant track record representing corporations in domestic and international arbitrations before the AAA and the ICC.

Dane joined the firm in 1989. He served on the firm's Hiring Committee from 1992-2004 and four terms on the firm's Executive Committee, including having served as the firm’s Chairperson.  He was appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court to serve on the faculty of the Virginia State Bar Professionalism Course (2004-2007). Dane is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and Benchmark Litigation identified Dane as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America.

Representative Experience

Though all cases vary and none is predictive, Dane’s experience as lead trial counsel includes:

  • Winning a defense verdict in Boston for a major pharmaceutical company in landmark antitrust litigation seeking $60 billion
  • Winning a defense verdict in New York for Home Box Office in the first major media defamation case to go to verdict in about two decades
  • Winning a defense verdict in a $750 million breach of contract trial in New York involving two Irish special purpose vehicles
  • Winning acquittal on all counts for a Bear Stearns officer in a securities fraud insider trading and conspiracy trial in New York
  • Winning a defense verdict in a $200 million corporate fiduciary duty trial in Indiana
  • Winning a defense verdict in New York for a Pennsylvania corporation against allegations of fraud and breach of contract arising from a failed securitization
  • Securing dismissal of all charges in Afghanistan against an Army Battalion Leader in a criminal case alleging negligent homicide and dereliction of duty
  • Securing arbitral award and attorneys’ fees in New York in an unfair competition claim against a Canadian company
  • Winning a $20 million fraud verdict for an international corporation in California
  • Winning acquittal on all counts in a criminal conspiracy case in New Hampshire
  • Winning dismissal on vindictive prosecution grounds in a false statement case in Maine
  • Winning dismissal for a financial institution of a $100 million commercial claim in New York
  • Winning summary judgment for a corporation in a $150 million securities action in Seattle
  • Securing dismissal and sanctions against plaintiffs for a corporation in a $200 million fraud action in California
  • Prevailing against a $55 million commercial claim and receiving a multi-million dollar award, including attorneys' fees, for an international corporation before the ICC
  • Successfully defending and winning an award of fees for a corporation in a product liability arbitration before the AAA in Texas
  • Winning defense verdicts for a government official in a commercial litigation in the District of Columbia, a corporate officer in a Virginia sexual harassment trial, and a nationally-recognized teaching hospital in a wrongful death trial

Education

Recognitions

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

“Litigation: General Commercial (DC),” Chambers USA, 2012-2023

"Litigation: Trial Lawyers (Nationwide)," Chambers USA, 2018-2023

"Litigation: Trial Lawyers – USA (Global),” Chambers USA, 2020-2024

"Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America," Benchmark Litigation, 2012-2023

“National Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation 2016-2024

“Local Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation 2014-2024

"Leading Lawyer," in the category of General Commercial Disputes, The Legal 500, 2021-2023

“Leading Trial Lawyers,” The Legal 500, 2014-2023

“500 Leading Litigators in America,” Lawdragon, 2023-2024

“500 Leading Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2019-2021

"Top 100 Trial Lawyer," Benchmark Litigation, 2023

"Top Lawyer Hall of Fame," Washingtonian magazine, 2022

“Washington’s Top Lawyers,” in the category of Civil Defense, Criminal Defense & White Collar, Washingtonian magazine, 2017, 2020

BTI Client Service All-Star, 2020

"Life Science Star," LMG Life Sciences, 2017-2022

Recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America ®, 2006-2021

Named a National "Top 10 Practitioner" in General Commercial Litigation, Benchmark Litigation, 2017

“National Commercial Lawyer of the Year,” Benchmark Litigation, 2016

"Top 50 Trial Aces," Law360, 2015

Admissions

back to top