Daniel P. Schaefer
Partner
Daniel is a skilled litigator and the Managing Partner of Esbrook P.C.’s Washington, DC Office. He has extensive experience representing a diverse clientele—from federal agencies to private companies and individuals—in trial and appellate courts nationwide. His record of success speaks for itself, including in cases to tried to verdict and on appeal.
Specializing in corporate and commercial litigation, Daniel represents clients in product liability, business torts, commercial disputes, whistleblower and qui tam cases, employment law, cybersecurity and privacy, and class actions. Known for his strategic insight, he consistently delivers outstanding results that exceed client expectations.
Before launching Esbrook’s D.C. Office, Daniel served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia from 2016 to 2022. In this role, he functioned as the lead defense counsel in hundreds of civil matters, successfully representing the United States, federal agencies, and officials. His extensive case portfolio included complex defensive litigation, class actions, labor and employment cases, constitutional claims, civil rights, torts, administrative actions, whistleblower suits, and national security law. He first chaired jury trials in federal court and argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. His exemplary service earned him multiple merit-based awards from the U.S. Attorney for exceptional achievement and public service.
Early in his career, Daniel was a Litigation Associate at Dickstein Shapiro L.L.P. in Washington, DC, specializing in antitrust and financial services litigation. He successfully represented corporate clients who were victims of price-fixing cartels, achieving substantial settlements.
When not practicing law, Daniel enjoys giving back to the community through coaching youth sports and playing guitar. He lives with his family in Alexandria, Virginia.