Experience

DANIEL C. HEATON brings over a decade of experience to the team at Nordberg | DeNichilo, LLP. While an undergraduate at the University of Utah, Daniel completed an internship with the Supreme Court of the United States that left a lasting impression:

“I became fascinated by the process by which the Supreme Court decides which cases will be heard each year (a little over 1%, or about 80 of 7,000). What is it about certain issues or even how briefs are written that makes the Court more inclined to accept them?”

This led Daniel to return to Washington, DC to attend The George Washington University Law School where he received his Juris Doctor degree with honors. In reflecting on some of the high points so far in his career, Daniel acknowledges that his SCOTUS internship and subsequent focus while at GW provided him valuable insight when he was later asked to advise a client on how best to respond to petitions to both the Supreme Court of California and then the Supreme Court of the United States. After preparing the necessary briefs, the result returned exactly as predicted — in favor of the client.

It’s that drive to research and explore the best options for a client that makes Daniel an excellent litigator and an even better corporate counsel. His belief is, to be successful, one should always strive to be the best possible version of oneself. His clients and colleagues agree. Daniel endeavors to bring a quiet dignity to his interactions with his clients, who are volunteer leaders that are often forced to grapple with a wide variety of complex issues. He understands that emotions can run high in these types of situations and, to mitigate this stress, Daniel patiently explains processes and options available and then acts swiftly to resolve the matter as soon as possible. Daniel works closely with fellow colleagues at Nordberg | DeNichilo, LLP to ensure the best results for clients.

At his former firms, Daniel handled critical law and motion matters, including appellate advocacy, in general and commercial liability, personal injury, and products liability disputes. Having initiated his legal career at one of the top employment defense firms in the nation, Daniel also has substantial experience defending discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage/hour disputes on both a class-action and individual basis.

Industry Publications

• AB 1458: Stop, Adjourn, then Proceed. New Reduced Quorum Requirements Help Make Every Vote Count, OC View (CAI-OC Chapter), March/April 2024; Connect Magazine (CAI-GRIE Chapter), 2024 Issue 1

• Bridging the Gap: SB428 Expands Available Protections in the "HOA Workplace," CACM The Law Journal, Spring 2024

• Direct From Sacramento: New Legislation Impacting Your Communities, Connect Magazine (CAI-GRIE Chapter), 2023 Issue 4

• Yes, You Can... But Should You? Cautioning Directors Against Unfettered Email Discussions After LNSU #1 LLC, ECHO Journal, Winter 2023

• Return of the Reply-All: Court Decides the Open Meeting Act Does Not Prohibit Board E-Mail Discussions Without Action, Connect Magazine (CAI-GRIE Chapter), 2023 Issue 3

• AB 572 (Selective Assessment Caps) in CAI-CLAC Advocacy Week Report, Connect Magazine (CAI-GRIE Chapter), 2023 Issue 2

• Navigating Ethics with Association Vendors, ECHO Journal, June 2023 

• Can I Get That Log-In Code Again? The Fate of Board Meetings in a Post-Covid World, CACM The Law Journal, Summer 2023 

• Knock Knock! Who’s There? … Your Neighbor’s New Tenant: Recent Changes to Rental Restrictions Open the Door to Roommates, OC View (CAI-OC Chapter), March/April 2023

• Naughty or Nice? Holiday Guidelines to List and Check Twice, Quorum (CAI-Coachella Valley Chapter), October 2021 Issue 

• Help Me, Honored Judge… You’re My Only Hope! 5 Tips to Successfully Amending Your CC&Rs By Court Approval, Connect Magazine (CAI-GRIE Chapter), 2021 Issue 2 *Nominated for Article of the Year Award 

Courses and Presentations, Authored or Taught

• CAI CCAL 2024 Community Association Law Seminar, "Reaching Down and Stepping Up: Inspiring and Becoming the Next Generation of Community Association Law Partners"

• CAI-OC 2024 Educational Luncheon, "Getting Ahead of the Surge: Preparing Your Association for a Greener Future"

• CAI-GRIE 2023 Educational Expo, "Legislative & Case Update" & "Bring on the Ballots! Community Elections and Combating Voter Apathy”

• Course author and repeat faculty of ECHO’s Annual Two Part Education Workshop, “Board Ethics” (2023, 2024)

• Repeat faculty for CAI-OC Education Committee’s HOA-U Educational Series, “Community Association Law”

• Repeat faculty for Orange County Realtors, New Realtor Essentials Track 1: “What Every Realtor Should Know Before Listing and Selling in a Homeowners’ Association”

• Faculty for CAI-GRIE Chapter Virtual Education Program, “Basic Essentials, Part 1: Legal”

• Faculty for CAI Board Leader Certificate Course (CA North, BayCen, & OC Chapters), Finances and Reserves – Budget Season Starts Soon! and Ask the Attorney Panel

• Repeat faculty for ECHO Ask the Attorney Webinars, “Davis-Stirling Act” 

• Faculty for joint CAI-SD & GRIE Two-Day Board Leadership Workshop

• ECHO Surviving Your HOA Seminar, "Basic Board Ethics: Contracting & Bids" and Ask the Professionals Forum

• Faculty for three-day CAI-SD, “California Common Interest Development Law Course 2024”

Appellate Experience

• Golden West Patio Homes Owners Association v. Cortez (2022) (unpublished)

• Kent E.B. v. Whitehead (2020) (unpublished)

• Bello v. Integrity Property Management (2017) (unpublished, prevailed by Motion to Dismiss)

• Bear Creek Master Association v. S. Cal. Investors, Inc. (2018) (Answer to Petition to the CA Supreme Court)

• Samara v. Estate of Stephen Nahigian, D.D.S. (2014) (unpublished)

• Santos v. Hawkins (2013) (Answer to Petition to the CA Supreme Court)

• Castaneda v. Spreen, Inc. (2009) (settled after full briefing)

Professional Accolades

• CAI-CLAC Volunteer of the Year, GRIE Chapter Nomination, 2023

• CAI-GRIE, Nominated for Business Partner of the Year, 2023

• CAI-GRIE, Nominated for Article of the Year, 2021