Danielle M. Kunkel

How Danielle Helps Clients

Danielle is an associate in the firm’s Labor, Employment, Benefits, and Immigration section. Drawing from her previous in-house experience, she brings a unique perspective to the legal challenges clients face.

Danielle has litigated multi-billion-dollar commercial lawsuits, insurance coverage disputes, regulatory enforcement actions, and shareholder derivative actions, handling all aspects of litigation from inception. This includes drafting answers to complaints, discovery requests and responses, motions to compel and dismiss, and removals to federal court. She has worked with small and large teams on arbitrations, depositions, document review, expert witness reports, mediations, and trial preparation.

Danielle has worked on class and collective action matters, Title VII claims, and joint employment claims. Additionally, she has drafted EEOC position statements, responses to discrimination suits, and other employment-related claims. Danielle is well-versed in the day-to-day needs of a client engaged in a lawsuit.

What Clients Can Expect

Danielle is a fierce but grounded litigator, who is willing to do what it takes to achieve her clients’ goals. She communicates efficiently and effectively to provide clients with the best possible service.

Proof Points

• Led cases as solo counsel for a national credit reporting agency and won cases with successful arguments in motions to dismiss.
• Worked in a secondment role for a Fortune 500 company to prepare annual filings such as a Form 10-K and Proxy Statement.
• Awarded the George A. Speigelberg award as recognition for being the best oral advocate in the nation while competing for Wake Forest University School of Law.

Outside the Office

Outside of work, Danielle is an avid sports fan. She can often be seen spending her downtime cheering on the Steelers, Penguins, or Pirates. Additionally, she is the Commissioner of two fantasy football leagues, and the captain of a Pittsburgh Sports League Kickball team. Some of her other hobbies include spending time with her dog, Nugget; attending trivia or game nights with family and friends; and trying out local restaurants in the Pittsburgh area.

Danielle also teaches trial advocacy at Drexel University’s Kline School of Law as an adjunct faculty member. She coaches students on all elements of trial from opening statements to closing arguments, objection battles, and everything in between.