Dan formed Thenell Law Group in 2012. Dan’s practice focuses on the investigation and litigation of Special Investigation Unit (SIU) claims and first and third party coverage claims. Within his areas of practice, Dan is experienced in the bad faith and claim coverage issues inherent in first party SIU investigations and litigation. Dan also handles general liability and personal injury claims.
Before creating Thenell Law Group, Dan was a partner at a large litigation defense firm, where he spent six years. Prior to that, Dan represented cities and counties in civil rights and employment cases. He worked for six years as a Washington County Deputy District Attorney, where he prosecuted more than 60 jury trials and numerous court trials. Dan specialized in the prosecution of large-scale identity theft and fraud crimes. He has also trained law enforcement officers in report writing, search and seizure and DV.
Dan regularly defends insurers against coverage and extra-contractual allegations. In 2014, Dan tried and obtained defense verdicts in actions for breach of contract, bad faith and violations of consumer protection statutes, in the United States District Courts for Washington and Idaho. Both cases arose from intentional fire losses. In 2015, Dan tried four Oregon and Washington federal first party trials through verdict, achieving favorable results for his clients. In the first quarter of 2016, Dan tried a three week first party case in Washington state court and a multi-day insurance fraud case in Oregon State Court, receiving a defense verdict for his client on material misrepresentation ground.
In addition to being a trial lawyer, Dan has conducted hundreds of EUOs regarding property and casualty claims in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. Dan also conducts policy language reviews and provides general coverage advice to clients on Pacific Northwest liability and property issues.