Atty. Nicholas McDaniel
Area of Emphasis Nick McDaniel is a shareholder in the Litigation, Environmental and Energy and Natural Resources groups of Babst Calland. He has extensive experience in environmental enforcement and complex commercial litigation, including significant first-chair trial experience.
Energy And Natural Resources & More Attorney · Serving Washington, DC · 14+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Nicholas McDaniel at a Glance
Nicholas McDaniel is a Shareholder based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Babst Calland. They have 14+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2012. Their practice focuses on litigation and environmental. Admitted to practice in Massachusetts (2012), Ohio (2012), and Pennsylvania (2026). Educated at Harvard Law School (J.D., 2011) and Eastern Kentucky University (B.A., 2008). Serves clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Nicholas McDaniel
- Area of Emphasis Nick McDaniel is a shareholder in the Litigation, Environmental and Energy and Natural Resources groups of Babst Calland
- He has extensive experience in environmental enforcement and complex commercial litigation, including significant first-chair trial experience
- He focuses his practice on complex environmental matters primarily in the energy and natural resources and manufacturing sectors
- Mr. McDaniel has successfully negotiated settlements with regulators and citizen groups resolving environmental compliance violations
- He also represents clients in navigating bankruptcy cases
- Prior to joining Babst Calland, Mr. McDaniel worked in the U.S
- Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Enforcement Section, where he led an enforcement action and negotiations that secured the largest ever civil penalty under the Clean Air Act, among other cases
- In this role, he was awarded the Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Excellence – first for litigating and settling a cost recovery action under the Oil Pollution Act related to longest-running oil spill in U.S. history, then for securing CERCLA cost recovery and natural resource damages on behalf of the United States, and later for his record Clean Air Act settlement
- He was also the recipient of the 2024 Arthur S. Flemming Award for legal achievement
- Prior to government service, Mr. McDaniel worked at the Environmental Law & Policy Center where he litigated complex energy and rate-making cases before the Public Utilities Commission and in state courts
- Background Mr. McDaniel graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and received his J.D. in 2011
- He received a B.A. summa cum laude in 2008 from Eastern Kentucky University
- After law school, he served as a law clerk to Judge Eugene E. Siler Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Memberships and Affiliations Mr. McDaniel is admitted to practice in District of Columbia, Massachusetts and Ohio
- Awards and Recognition United States Department of Justice, Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Excellence (2024, 2022, 2018)United States Department of Justice, Younger Federal Lawyer Award Nominee (2024)United States Department of Justice, Outstanding Performance Award (multiple years)United States Department of Justice, Special Achievement Awards (multiple years)United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Gold Medal for Exceptional Service (2021)United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Silver Medal for Superior Service (2023)United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, Bronze Medal (2017)Arthur S. Flemming Award in Legal Achievement (2024)
Practice Areas Explained
Nicholas McDaniel's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Nicholas McDaniel handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Washington.
Civil Litigation in Washington
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Nicholas McDaniel is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in District of Columbia →
Environmental Law in Washington
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Nicholas McDaniel is one of 55,977 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Washington
Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Washington Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Washington-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Washington Choose Nicholas McDaniel
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Nicholas McDaniel's practice in the field of litigation and environmental.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Nicholas McDaniel brings 14+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, Nicholas McDaniel can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering litigation and environmental, Nicholas McDaniel can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Washington
A Washington-based practice means Nicholas McDaniel attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Nicholas McDaniel's Practice Areas & Specializations
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