Dan Shank focuses his practice on complex litigation matters in the areas of commercial, construction, personal injury, real estate, environmental, energy, and insurance litigation. With over 43 years of experience in the practice of law, Dan has successfully tried numerous cases involving a broad range of substantive areas of the law, prosecuted and defended cases involving substantial recoveries and significant exposures, and participated in a number of appellate matters on behalf of his clients.
Prior to joining the firm, Dan was a Director in the Houston, Texas office of a well-established law firm where he specialized in complex litigation matters in the areas of commercial, personal injury, real estate, environmental, energy, and insurance. Previously, Dan co-founded Davis & Shank, a Houston-based law firm.
Dan has served the Houston Bar and community, acting as the Chairman of the American Diabetes Association, Houston Chapter, participating on other charity boards including the Christus Foundation, Mental Health America, chairing three HBA committees, volunteering as a member of one of the Texas Bar Association’s grievance committees, and contributing as a director of the junior bar.
Dan was recognized as a Texas “Super Lawyer” in 2024 and each of the 19 years immediately preceding for Commercial Litigation and was also named a Top 100 “Super Lawyer” in Houston (2018-2019) by Super Lawyers magazine. He was also recognized by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in 2025 and each of the 15 years immediately preceding for Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants. Dan was recommended by Legal 500 US in 2019 for Construction. He is Board Certified for Civil Trial by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
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Georgetown University Law Center J.D. (1980) cum laude
Cornell University B.A. (1977) Economics and Government
Texas (1980)
District of Columbia (1981)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
U.S. Supreme Court
American Bar Association, American Bar Foundation, Fellow
State Bar of Texas, Texas Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
Houston Bar Association, Houston Bar Foundation, Sustaining Life Fellow
District of Columbia Bar Association, Member
Houston Young Lawyers Association, Director (1986-1987, 1989-1991)
Texas Association of Defense Counsel Ethics Committee (1998-1999)
Defense Research Institute Business Litigation Committee (1996-Present)
College of the State Bar of Texas (Various Years)
State Bar of Texas District 4B Grievance Committee (1996-1999)
4EO9 Grievance Committee (2006-2012)
Houston Bar Association Tennis Tournament, Chairman (1996-1998); HBA Outstanding Service Award (1996-1997)
Houston Bar Association Harris County Law Library Committee, Chairman (2003-2004)
Houston Bar Association IDEA Committee, Co-Chairman (2004-2005)
TADC Practice & Procedure Newsletter, Editor (1990-1998)
CHRISTUS Gulf Coast Region (2008-2013)
CHRISTUS Foundation for Healthcare Board (2014-Present)
Mental Health America of Greater Houston Board (2015-Present)
American Diabetes Association: Houston Chapter, Chairman (2000-2003); Vice Chairman (1999-2000); Board of Directors (1998-2014); National Award for Outstanding Community Service in Recruiting Volunteers (2003)
Young Audiences of Houston, Board of Directors, Member (1996-1998)
The Regis School Capital Campaign, Steering Committee, Member (1999-2000)
Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association Football League, Head Football Coach; Tackle (1999-2001)
Regis Lower School, Sports Commissioner (1998-2000)
West Houston Christian Athletic League, Board of Commissioners, Member (1998-2000)
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