Daniel Watkins is a nationally ranked trial lawyer and reputation counselor renowned for his work in high-stakes defamation and crisis cases that have captured global media attention. Named by Chambers & Partners as one of the top ten defamation lawyers in the U.S.—and the youngest to earn this recognition—Daniel’s relentless and creative approach to solving complex problems are the hallmarks of his reputation. Clients and adversaries alike have described him as a “formidable lawyer” who is a “force of nature in the courtroom.”
His litigation track record is comprised of landmark victories, including some of the largest defamation settlements and verdicts in history. Mr. Watkins represented Dominion Voting Systems in the election disinformation case against Fox News, resulting in a $787.5 million settlement, and he co-led a team achieving a historic $16 million defamation verdict in North Carolina.
Most recently, Daniel served as lead trial counsel for a philanthropist that was targeted by bad actors in a defamatory dossier. The jury returned an $8 million verdict – one of the highest on record in Washington, D.C., for a defamation case.
Daniel has also represented clients in high-profile disputes, including a tech start-up in a groundbreaking case against McDonald’s Corp., securing both a TRO and preliminary injunction in the fight against the fast-food giant.
Beyond trial, Daniel counsels clients facing reputation crises, advising a diverse roster that includes governors, general counsels, high-profile whistleblowers, sports franchises, non-profits, and entrepreneurs. His advocacy has resulted in retractions, corrections, and public apologies from major news organizations such as ESPN, The Washington Post, Bloomberg News, and Newsweek.
Daniel is frequently invited to provide remarks regarding myriad First Amendment and defamation issues. Last year, he taught “Disinformation and Defamation” as an adjunct professor at William & Mary Law School and has guest lectured at the University of Virginia School of Law.
