Daniel E. Vineyard
Practice Areas
Experience
- Administrative
- Arbitration
- Environmental Litigation & Toxic Tort
- Remediation & Property Redevelopment
- Superfund
- Waste
“Daniel Vineyard is noted for his Superfund experience as well as his work on natural resource damages issues. Sources stated: 'He is a very seasoned litigator and really knows the landscape when it comes to disputes related to contaminated properties. He’s extremely articulate, persuasive, and when he speaks, people listen.' 'He’s a highly esteemed transactional lawyer who does good work.'”
— Chambers USA Guide
“Dan Vineyard of Jackson Walker is always the first person I go to when I have questions regarding CERCLA. He, and the lawyers that work with him, have in-depth experience that goes beyond mere understanding of the black-letter law. They are practitioners who have been involved in every facet of the CERCLA arena, from negotiations with federal, state and local regulators, to negotiating multi-party commercial settlement, to leading complex litigation. They are cost-effect, easy to work with, and committed to providing good, practical, sound advice to their clients.”
— Anonymous
Biography
Dan’s practice is focused on CERCLA and State Superfund cleanups and associated litigation. His 35 years of practice in this area and representation of clients big and small on response actions of every variety gives him a perspective on the practice shared by very few. His expertise has allowed him to efficiently analyze cases and provide sound strategic advice to assist his clients at hundreds of Superfund sites across the country.
Dan is a certified mediator and has successfully mediated numerous matters to resolution.
Education
B.A., Oral Roberts University
J.D., University of Tulsa College of Law
Bar Admissions
California
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the First, Fifth, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Central and Northern Districts of California
Dan has been involved in precedent-setting CERCLA litigation relating to municipal solid wastes and cost recovery.
- Represented client in successful cost recovery action involving 1,200 PRPs.
- Represented PRP Group in converting Unilateral Order to Consent Decree with forgiveness of substantial past costs.
- Obtained a unanimous appellate victory in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, preserving an $18 million default judgment that Dan and fellow Jackson Walker partner Chris Thompson had obtained at trial. It is rare to get a large default judgment, and it is also rare to uphold one in the Ninth Circuit.
- Negotiated a settlement with State in a very complex matter involving four Sites and hundreds of parties.
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
- Ranked for Environment – Texas, 2018-2024
- Recognized Practitioner in Environment – Texas, 2008-2013, 2017
- Recognized Practitioner in Environment: Litigation – Texas, 2006-2007
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Environmental Law, 2022-2025
- Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law, Environmental Law, esp. Superfund Cleanup, 2023-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers, Environmental Law – Superfund Cleanup, 2021
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2013-2019
- Top Attorney in Texas, Texas Monthly, 2015-2016
Publications
- “Expect New Standards for Landfills, Industrial Sites as EPA Tackles PFAS Discharge in Water,” Jackson Walker Insights (February 2023)
- “Justices Hold CWA Settlement Does Not Start the Clock on CERCLA Limitations,” Jackson Walker Insights (June 2021)
- “Supreme Court Allows “PRP” Landowners to Bring State Common Law Claims at Superfund Cleanup Site,” Jackson Walker Insights (April 2020)
Speaking Engagements
- “Pros and Cons of Entering Model Form Consent Decrees With EPA,” EHS Support Sediment & PRP Summit (September 2022)
- “Set Your Sights on an Exit Strategy” and “Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned,” EHS Support Sediment & PRP Summit in Philadelphia (September 2016)
- “I Need to Hire an Expert: Now What?!,” Chevron Law Department, Lunch and Learn Series (August 2012)
- “How To Handle Agency Inspections,” TransCanada USA Services, Inc. In-house Environmental Group (February 2009)
- “The Ethics of Negotiations,” The Woodlands Bar Association CLE Luncheon Series (January 2009)
- “Conflicts of Interest,” Chevron U.S.A. Law Department (June 2009)
- “CERCLA Cost Recovery and Allocation,” Mealey’s Environmental Litigation Conference (April 2005)
- “Managing CERCLA Litigation,” June 1994, Executive Enterprises, Inc. Southwest Environmental Regulations Seminar
- “CERCLA 101,” National Association of Manufacturers (May 1991)
- “The CERCLA Petroleum Exclusion and E&P Exception,” American Petroleum Institute (November 1990)
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- The Woodlands Bar Association, Former Vice President
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of California
- Houston Bar Association
- Carlton Woods Country Club, Board of Directors
January 31, 2025
Attorney News
Lawdragon Lists Eight Jackson Walker Partners Among Leading Environmental Lawyers of 2025
Jackson Walker partners Ali Abazari, Leonard Dougal, Taylor Holcomb, Lindsey Moorhead, Michael Nasi, Benjamin Rhem, Daniel Vineyard, and Peter Wahl have once again been recognized among Lawdragon’s list of leading environmental lawyers.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 6, 2024
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Releases 2024 USA Guide Featuring 67 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 23 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 67 attorneys and 23 departments for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 27 departments, with 3 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 8 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 15 recognized for the first time.
February 2, 2024
Attorney News
Lawdragon Lists Eight Jackson Walker Partners Among Leading Environmental Lawyers of 2024
According to Lawdragon, “The 2024 Leaders in Environmental Law” list features “an amazing collection of attorneys, ranging from wolf advocates, to sustainable finance leaders, experts in greenwashing claims and regulatory gurus who help businesses navigate environmental regulations to successfully develop projects.”
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 1, 2023
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2023 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 51 attorneys and 17 departments for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys recognized in the guides were ranked in 19 practice areas, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas and 6 named among the top attorneys nationwide in their respective areas.
February 14, 2023
Attorney News
Lawdragon Lists Five Jackson Walker Attorneys Among Leading Environmental Lawyers
Jackson Walker announces the selection of Ali Abazari, Leonard Dougal, Michael Nasi, Benjamin Rhem, and Daniel Vineyard to “The Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law” list for 2023.
February 6, 2023
Insights
Expect New Standards for Landfills, Industrial Sites as EPA Tackles PFAS Discharge in Water
EPA recently issued the Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 15 to address the widespread “forever chemicals,” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), found in water, air, fish, and soil around the world.
By Daniel Vineyard & Tyler Self
August 29, 2022
Speaking Engagements
Dan Vineyard to Discuss Consent Decrees at 2022 Sediment & PRP Summit
During the 2022 Sediment & PRP Summit on September 22, 2022, Jackson Walker partner Daniel E. Vineyard will present “Pros and Cons of Entering Model Form Consent Decrees With EPA.” The presentation will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages for a responsible party to enter into a consent decree for the investigation and remediation of a contaminated sediment site.
Dan has a national Superfund and natural resource damages practice and handles litigation associated with CERCLA sites. He serves as common counsel for a number of PRP Groups.
Dan has represented clients in hundreds of these matters for 35 years in every EPA Region – first as in-house counsel for a major oil company, then as outside counsel. He has also been lead counsel in more than 30 CERCLA cases in jurisdictions from coast to coast.
In addition, Dan has litigated pipeline and construction cases and mediated several energy cases.
Dan has developed particular expertise in the following areas:
- CERCLA and its state analogs
- CERCLA litigation
- Natural Resource Damages
- Pipelines
Practice Experience
Dan has been involved in precedent-setting CERCLA litigation relating to municipal solid wastes and cost recovery.
- Represented client in successful cost recovery action involving 1,200 PRPs.
- Represented PRP Group in converting Unilateral Order to Consent Decree with forgiveness of substantial past costs.
- Obtained a unanimous appellate victory in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, preserving an $18 million default judgment that Dan and fellow Jackson Walker partner Chris Thompson had obtained at trial. It is rare to get a large default judgment, and it is also rare to uphold one in the Ninth Circuit.
- Negotiated a settlement with State in a very complex matter involving four Sites and hundreds of parties.
Recognition & Accolades
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
- Ranked for Environment – Texas, 2018-2024
- Recognized Practitioner in Environment – Texas, 2008-2013, 2017
- Recognized Practitioner in Environment: Litigation – Texas, 2006-2007
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Environmental Law, 2022-2025
- Lawdragon Green 500: Leaders in Environmental Law, Environmental Law, esp. Superfund Cleanup, 2023-2025
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers, Environmental Law – Superfund Cleanup, 2021
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2013-2019
- Top Attorney in Texas, Texas Monthly, 2015-2016
Publications & Speeches
Publications
- “Expect New Standards for Landfills, Industrial Sites as EPA Tackles PFAS Discharge in Water,” Jackson Walker Insights (February 2023)
- “Justices Hold CWA Settlement Does Not Start the Clock on CERCLA Limitations,” Jackson Walker Insights (June 2021)
- “Supreme Court Allows “PRP” Landowners to Bring State Common Law Claims at Superfund Cleanup Site,” Jackson Walker Insights (April 2020)
Speaking Engagements
- “Pros and Cons of Entering Model Form Consent Decrees With EPA,” EHS Support Sediment & PRP Summit (September 2022)
- “Set Your Sights on an Exit Strategy” and “Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned,” EHS Support Sediment & PRP Summit in Philadelphia (September 2016)
- “I Need to Hire an Expert: Now What?!,” Chevron Law Department, Lunch and Learn Series (August 2012)
- “How To Handle Agency Inspections,” TransCanada USA Services, Inc. In-house Environmental Group (February 2009)
- “The Ethics of Negotiations,” The Woodlands Bar Association CLE Luncheon Series (January 2009)
- “Conflicts of Interest,” Chevron U.S.A. Law Department (June 2009)
- “CERCLA Cost Recovery and Allocation,” Mealey’s Environmental Litigation Conference (April 2005)
- “Managing CERCLA Litigation,” June 1994, Executive Enterprises, Inc. Southwest Environmental Regulations Seminar
- “CERCLA 101,” National Association of Manufacturers (May 1991)
- “The CERCLA Petroleum Exclusion and E&P Exception,” American Petroleum Institute (November 1990)
Community Involvement
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- The Woodlands Bar Association, Former Vice President
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- State Bar of California
- Houston Bar Association
- Carlton Woods Country Club, Board of Directors
Areas of Focus
Dan has a national Superfund and natural resource damages practice and handles litigation associated with CERCLA sites. He serves as common counsel for a number of PRP Groups.
Dan has represented clients in hundreds of these matters for 35 years in every EPA Region – first as in-house counsel for a major oil company, then as outside counsel. He has also been lead counsel in more than 30 CERCLA cases in jurisdictions from coast to coast.
In addition, Dan has litigated pipeline and construction cases and mediated several energy cases.
Dan has developed particular expertise in the following areas:
- CERCLA and its state analogs
- CERCLA litigation
- Natural Resource Damages
- Pipelines