Daniel Natal
Associate

Daniel focuses on white collar criminal defense and complex commercial litigation. As a former federal public defender, he brings to bear sound judgment, extensive courtroom experience, and a commitment to client service when litigating high-stakes cases. Clients exposed to potential financial or reputational damage trust Daniel to represent them with compassion and determination. His advocacy before judges, juries, and the government regularly leads to favorable outcomes in the face of unfavorable odds.

Daniel has achieved successful results at every stage of the litigation process, from initial negotiations to jury and bench trials as well as administrative hearings. Whether arguing a motion, cross-examining a hostile witness, or delivering a closing statement, he builds strong, persuasive cases that effectively convey the merits of his client’s position. Daniel is also particularly adept at navigating U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. He has litigated numerous novel sentencing issues—including an objection on an issue of first impression that was sustained—and convinced judges to impose sentences years below the guidelines range.

Prior to joining CW, Daniel served as an attorney representing claimants with disabilities in Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income hearings before administrative law judges. He won approximately 71% of all claims that proceeded to hearing, far exceeding the national average win rate at hearing. His success rested on the mastery of a highly specialized, technically complex area of law, involving the application of social security regulations to unique medical facts derived from thousands of pages of records.

While at the Trial Unit of the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Los Angeles, Daniel represented defendants charged with an array of federal crimes, from drug and gun possession to wire fraud, bribery of public officials, and illegal exports. As counsel of record in two cases proceeding to trial, he obtained a hung jury and a not guilty verdict, respectively. He also routinely appeared as lone counsel in federal district and magistrate courts to argue pre-trial motions and bail matters.

Before representing defendants at the federal level, Daniel served in the Trial Unit of the Public Defender’s Office for Prince William County in Virginia. In this role, he managed a voluminous caseload consisting of as many as 200 misdemeanors and felonies at once. He sat first chair for clients accused of serious felonies, such as arson, manslaughter, drug distribution, and robbery, throughout preliminary hearings and pre-trial. Less than one year into his legal career, Daniel served as second chair for a first-degree murder trial, where he gave the opening statement, conducted direct and cross examinations of experts and witnesses, and argued and briefed motions that touched on issues of first impression.

Both in law school and after graduation, Daniel served as Mid-Atlantic Regional Director and Alumni Board Member for the National Latino Law Student Association.