Daniel is a Research Attorney at the Institute for Justice. Prior to his current position, Daniel litigated IJ cases on free speech, property rights, and the Fourth Amendment.
A born-and-raised Midwesterner, Daniel earned his bachelor’s in political science and psychology from Cedarville University and his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He then clerked for Justice DeWine of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Before starting his legal career, Daniel tutored aspiring law students and served as a behavioral therapist for children with autism.
Dan's Cases
Economic Liberty | Fresh Start
Knoxville Radio
Joe Armstrong brought Black community focused radio back on the air in Knoxville, Tennessee. Now he's fighting the FCC for his license, not for anything he put out over the air, but for an old…
4th Amendment Project | Open Fields Doctrine | Other Property Rights Abuses | Private Property
Pennsylvania Open Fields
For years, wildlife officers in Pennsylvania have been ignoring the privacy rights of hunters under the so-called “open fields doctrine,” which posits that private land doesn’t receive privacy protections. This IJ suit challenges the constitutionality…
Dan's Amicus Briefs
Jackson v. United States
7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Ohio Power Company v. Michael Burns, et al.
Ohio Supreme Court
Dan's Letters & Statements
Honolulu Sign Code Letter
Honolulu, Hawaii
Dan's Podcasts
October 03, 2025
Short Circuit 396 | Voting and Carrying in History
Two opinions that dig into history, one on voting rights the other on gun rights, and both from the Fourth Circuit. First, Dan Nelson of […]
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