Dorian Daggs
Partner
Dorian Daggs’ practice focuses on litigating and resolving a wide array of disputes. As a lawyer in private practice, Dorian has defended manufacturers of automobiles, pharmaceuticals and tobacco products in personal injury and wrongful death matters throughout the US. He also maintains a robust commercial litigation practice representing businesses in contract matters, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, commercial foreclosure cases and difficult business divorces.
Dorian also spent more than a decade as in-house counsel to the largest developer, owner and operator of renewable energy installations in North America, NextEra Energy Resources, in all phases of acquisition, development and construction of renewable energy facilities, challenges relating to environmental and other permitting issues, commercial and contract claims with stakeholders, energy marketing and trading issues, as well as warranty and negligence claims with vendors. He also spent time as a Senior Director in the company’s competitive transmission business, further bolstering his understanding of regulatory issues, accounting, balance sheets and the intersection of business and law. Dorian has used these skills to represent and advise numerous renewable energy companies in all aspects of driving projects to commercial operation.
A problem-solver by nature, Dorian prepares each case as though it will go to trial so that every strategic and tactical option remains on the table throughout the litigation. Additionally, Dorian’s unique blend of significant time spent in private practice and as in-house counsel provides a special benefit to his clients. Dorian is able to drill down on particular issues that are most relevant to the bottom line and craft solutions that provide the least disruption possible to ongoing operations while delivering the timely and cost-effective result that the client needs. When a case needs to be tried, however, he has the first-chair and jury trial experience clients expect and require.
While in law school, Dorian was the winner of the William W. Greenhalgh Mock Trial Competition, served on the Barrister’s Council, was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers National Trial Team and was a quarter finalist in the American College of Trial Lawyers National Trial Competition. As an undergraduate, he earned Dean’s List recognitions, was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and served as Captain of Howard University’s American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) National Championship Trial Team where he was named a Best Attorney.
- Lead trial counsel in defending the foreclosure of a commercial development parcel where plaintiff alleged that errors in the foreclosure process led to a lower foreclosure sale price. Obtained a directed verdict at close of plaintiff’s case in chief.
- Counsel to tobacco company in a matter involving an alleged wrongful death and seeking punitive damages. The matter was referred to the Supreme Court of Georgia, which ruled that punitive damages in all such cases were barred due to a prior settlement entered into by the State of Georgia and the tobacco company – a significant victory for the company. Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation v. Gault et. al, 627 S.E.2d 549 (2006); 280 Ga. 420.
- Co-trial counsel in matter involving professional negligence in the construction of a condominium building that flooded with raw sewage in heavy rains rendering portions of the building unusable. Jury rendered a verdict in favor of the condominium owners for redress of loss of value of the properties.
- Provided counsel on numerous matters brought by Native American tribes and Labor Unions relating to the siting and construction of utility-scale solar and wind energy projects in state and federal courts in California. Cases alleged violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Endangered Species Act and state analogues such as the California Environmental Quality Act and sought to prevent the construction of the projects through injunction. In all cases, the injunctions were denied, and the projects were timely completed in accordance with the company’s contractual obligations.
- Member of trial team in jury trial defending power plant owner from wrongful death claim brought by estate of asbestos worker who claimed exposure to the substance while on-site at the plant caused his asbestos-related illness and death. Jury returned a zero-liability verdict for the power plant owner.
- Served as counsel to natural gas producer in royalty-related claims brought under Oklahoma’s Production Revenue Standards Act in multiple class action and individual lawsuits.
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2000
- Howard University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1997
Admissions
- Florida, 2021
- Georgia, 2002
- District of Columbia, 2001
- Maryland, 2000
Courts
- U.S. Ct. of App., Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Dist. Ct., S. Dist. of Florida
- U.S. Dist. Ct., N. Dist. of Georgia
Memberships & Affiliations
- Board of Directors, Children’s Home Society of Florida, Palm Beach Division (2011-2020, 2021-present)
- Board of Directors, Palm Beach County Food Bank, (2023-present)