Joel L. Dahnke, Esquire PLC

. . . . . Biography

The law firm was founded by Joel L. Dahnke. Mr. Dahnke’s practice includes both litigation and business representation, with the focus and relative time devoted to these practice areas varying as the needs of his clients ebb and flow. Most recently, business and financial institution related litigation, primarily in the Eastern District of Virginia and Maryland Federal Courts, along with litigation matters in his subspecialty of creditor’s rights and bankruptcy have been on the increase. Mr. Dahnke’s business practice, which has always included substantial representation of financial institutions in a wide variety of real estate and commercial financing transactions, has also been very active. In addition, he regularly represents a number of businesses in a variety of areas, including entity selection and formation, corporate governance, business agreements (business acquisition and sale, consultant and independent contractor, technology related professional services, teaming, software development, employment, confidentiality/non-disclosure, noncompete), and equity incentive plans (qualified and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and other equity incentive plans). The combined practice provides an important balance and brings his business and sophisticated transaction knowledge to his clients’ litigation matters and his knowledge of commercial litigation brings important insights to bear on business and contract matters.

Mr. Dahnke has been awarded the AV® peer review rating by Martindale Hubble, a recognition by his peers in the legal community that he has achieved the highest level of legal excellence and ethical standards in his practice.*

Education

        University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia
        J.D., May 1983
        Class Rank was 5th out of 145
        Honors - McNeill Law Society, Williams Scholarship, Doubles Scholarship

        University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
        B.A. (Physics), May 1979

Nonlegal Experience

        Physicist (1979 to 1980)
        United States Department of Commerce
        Boulder Laboratories, Boulder, Colorado

Bar Admissions

        Virginia (1983); District of Columbia (1986); Maryland (1993)

Professional Associations

        Federal Bar Association
        Master, Walter Chandler American Inn of Court (Bankruptcy)
        Fairfax Bar Association, Co-Chairman, Business Law Section 1989-1990