R. Daniel Beale

With a wide background in commercial litigation, R. Daniel Beale focuses his practice in employment law, representing employers in litigation and administrative charges and investigations in a broad range of employment disputes.

In addition to formal litigation and administrative claims, Mr. Beale regularly provides guidance to employers regarding compliance with various federal, state and local employment laws. In this counseling role, Mr. Beale advises clients on employment policies, drafting of employment-related agreements and conducting internal investigations of employee complaints.

Mr Beale has particular experience with drafting and litigating agreements involving non-competition covenants and other restrictive covenants. He also has substantial experience with litigation and compliance advice relating to the overtime pay requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Mr. Beale also has an active practice in representing executives of public and private companies in negotiating employment agreements and separation arrangements.

Education:

• Harvard Law School, 1992, JD, cum laude
• Emory University, 1989, BA
• US District Judge Orinda D. Evans, 1992 – 1993

Admissions and qualifications:

• Georgia
• Kentucky

Experience:

• Obtained a temporary restraining order and then a preliminary injunction to prohibit a former executive employee of our client from becoming the CEO of a direct competitor of our client, based on a noncompetition covenant and trade secrets.
• Represented the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in two class actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act claiming overtime pay violations for police officers and prison guards. We succeeded in obtaining a dismissal of both cases on jurisdictional grounds.
• Represented a national office products manufacturing company in age and disability discrimination lawsuit filed by a former senior executive. After discovery, the U.S. District Court granted summary judgment in favor of our client on all claims.
• Through the use of mediation, negotiated an early settlement of a potentially explosive sexual harassment claim against a multi-billion dollar telecommunications client. The early settlement avoided both litigation expenses and negative publicity for the client.
• Obtained a defense judgment  following a federal court trial of race discrimination claims against a national travel agency arising out of a reduction in force.
• Represented numerous clients in injunctive actions arising out of non-competition agreements and alleged misappropriation of trade secrets.

Mr. Beale is active in pro bono activities and serves as the pro bono coordinator for the Atlanta office of Dentons. He regularly provides pro bono legal advice to several charitable non-profit organizations, and works directly with individual clients on a pro bono basis through the volunteer clinics of the Georgia Justice Project and the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation.

Mr. Beale serves on the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Justice Project. He has also recently been appointed to the Board of the United Methodist Children’s Home.