Overview

Dan Small is a partner in Holland & Knight's Miami and Boston offices. He practices in the area of litigation, focusing on witness preparation, dispute strategies, government and internal investigations, white-collar criminal law and complex civil litigation. He has extensive investigation, jury trial and other litigation experience. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Small was a prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice, during which time he tried RICO, corruption, financial and regulatory cases. Mr. Small received various awards and commendations for his work. He also was general counsel for a publicly traded healthcare management firm, where he oversaw in-house legal and risk management staff, outside counsel, litigation, compliance, and facility, entity and physician contracting.

Mr. Small has written several books on litigation for the American Bar Association, including Preparing Witnesses and Going To Trial, that are used in CLE programs he gives throughout the country. He was a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School. He is also a frequent television, radio and newspaper commentator, as well as the host of Holland & Knight’s Powerful Witness Prep Podcast Series.

Mr. Small has represented witnesses, plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of internal and external investigations, administrative proceedings, and civil and criminal litigation. These have included issues relating to government regulation, healthcare entities, education institutions, financial institutions and others.

Representative Matters

  • Successfully defended former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell during the investigation, trial and appeal. After the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision vacating the convictions, the Department of Justice dismissed all charges against the Governor.
  • Representing private equity firm against clawback claims for fraudulent transfer on one of its investment redemptions
  • Counsel in a prominent SEC internet fraud case
  • Special Counsel to the Rhode Island Ethics Commission
  • Special Counsel to the Massachusetts House Ethics Committee
  • As General Counsel to a publicly traded healthcare management firm, oversaw in-house legal and risk management staff, outside counsel, PLI and other litigation, facility, entity and physician contracting
  • Outside General Counsel to a group of long term care companies
  • Lead defense counsel for former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards

Credentials

Education
  • Harvard Law School, J.D.
  • Harvard College, B.A., cum laude
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • Florida
  • Massachusetts
Memberships
  • Regional Dialogue Advisory Council, Slovenia and Uzbekistan
  • Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow
  • American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section and former Vice Chair, White Collar Crime Committee
  • The Florida Bar
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • American Health Lawyers Association
Honors & Awards
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2013-2024
  • Massachusetts Super Lawyers magazine, 2018-2020, 2022, 2023
  • Holland & Knight Pro Bono All-Star, 2020, 2021
  • Guide to the World's Leading White Collar Defense Lawyers, Legal Media Group's Expert Guides, 2015
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated

Multimedia

Trial Lawyers Handbook 15 Still
Podcast - Exuding Credibility in the Courtroom
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Podcast - Key Lessons and Takeaways for Jury Trials
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Podcast - The Pitfalls of Technology in Trials
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Podcast - The Importance of Civility in Trial Law
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Podcast - Bringing Mindfulness and Best Practices to Trial Law
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Podcast - A Checklist of Common Objections
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Podcast - Basic Courtroom Etiquette
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Podcast - Position and Movement in the Courtroom
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Podcast - The Different Ways Lawyers Prepare Notes for Trial
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Podcast - Understanding the Importance of Chronology
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Podcast - The Key to a Successful Trial Lawyer
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Podcast - The Five Most Common Faults of Trial Lawyers
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Podcast - The “Five P’s” That Will Help Shape Jurors’ Emotions
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Podcast - The Differences Between Persuasion and Argument
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Podcast - The Unwritten Rules of Trial Practice
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Podcast - Ethical Deposition Conduct
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Podcast - Finding the Balance
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Podcast - A Tortured Journey with the Lying Witness
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Podcast - The Four Horsemen of the Lying Witness Apocalypse
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Podcast - The Extreme Case
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Podcast - Listen for the Song in Your Witness' Head
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Podcast - The Witness Interview: Dangerous Informality
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Podcast: What is a Deposition?
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Podcast - The Remote Witness: Preparing for a Trial or Hearing
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Podcast - The Remote Witness: Preparing for Deposition
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Podcast - The Remote Witness: Preparation Process
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Podcast - The Remote Witness: Preparation Challenges
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Podcast: Witness Preparation is Okay
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Podcast: Bridging the Gap
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Podcast - Rule 10: Witnesses Need to Use Their Counsel
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Podcast - Rule 9: Don't be Intimidated by Documents
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Podcast - Rule 8: Do Not Volunteer Information
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Podcast - Rule 7: Playing the Guessing Game is a Losing Strategy
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Podcast - Rule 6: If You Don't Remember, Say So
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Podcast - Rule 5b: Typical 'Wiggles and Squirms' to Avoid Rephrasing a Question
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Podcast - Rule 5a: Don’t Answer a Question You Don't Understand

Publications

Speaking Engagements

News