Meet Our Attorneys & Staff

Danielle began working for civil litigation firms during law school. After graduation and admission to the Bar, Danielle worked as an attorney for a civil litigation firm, and, then, as counsel representing law enforcement employees in investigations and adverse employment actions. Knowing she wanted to practice employment litigation, Danielle joined Smith Riddles and, now, represents our clients in discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, and unpaid wage actions.

Civil Litigation Experience

Danielle has drafted motions, prepared discovery responses, argued motions, interviewed clients, advised clients, communicated with opposing counsel, and engaged in other aspects of civil litigation.

Creative Persuasion

In prior employment, Danielle persuaded representatives of State agencies to discard proposed policy changes that would have had adverse consequences on employee’s interests/rights.

While representing an elderly client in a dispute over Medicare, Danielle crafted novel arguments grounded in public policy and legislative intent that persuaded an appellate tribunal to reverse a lower tribunal. In doing so, Danielle saved her client tens of thousands of dollars.

Academic Background

Danielle obtained her law degree with distinction from McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, where she was a Teacher’s Assistant, placed in the “Elite Eight” in an oral advocacy competition, was a finalist in a mock trial competition, and received multiple awards for course performance.

Danielle received her B.S. in Business Administration Management from California State University, Long Beach.

Experience Working In The Courts

During law school, Danielle worked as a Judicial Extern for Judge Kevin R. Culhane. Judge Culhane handled family law matters at the William R. Ridgeway Family Relations Courthouse and general civil litigation at the Sacramento County Superior Court. Danielle was charged with reviewing motions, researching legal issues, making recommendations, and drafting orders and rulings.

Community Legal Services

During law school, as part of McGeorge School of Law’s Elder Law Clinic, Danielle represented elderly members of the community. Danielle was given significant responsibility, even handling cases from start to finish under the supervision of an attorney admitted to the Bar.

Personal

If Danielle had her druthers, you’d find her under the Christmas tree at Disneyland with her dog and, possibly, a select few humans (canines, apparently, have a better shot at an invite, although her husband would probably make the list…probably).