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Daniel Thomas Watts

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Avvo Rating10
  • Carlsbad, CA
  • Licensed for 10 years
  • Free consultation
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About Daniel

Daniel Watts is an associate attorney in the litigation practice group at Galuppo & Blake. Before joining the firm, he practiced civil litigation in state and federal court at both the trial and appellate level. He is admitted to all four federal courts in California, California’s state courts, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. His past cases included civil rights and business disputes, employment and labor violations, landlord-tenant issues, tort claims, and administrative trials. He has advised startup companies in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, helping companies incorporate, issue stock options to employees, and negotiate with investors.

Daniel received his J.D. from UC Davis School of Law in 2011, where he was an editor on the UC Davis Law Review and a member of the governing board of the Appellate Advocacy program – also known as “moot court.” He served simultaneously as president of the campus ACLU and Federalist Society chapters, often pitting the two organizations against each other in head-to-head debates.

Before coming to law school, Daniel graduated from UC San Diego with a B.A. in Political Science and History, after which he taught English in Japan on the JET Programme. While a 20-year-old undergraduate, he ran for California governor in the 2003 recall election against Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gray Davis. In his free time, he mentors college newspaper editors on free speech and journalism issues.

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Practice areas

OtherCivil rightsReal estateLandlord or tenantBusiness
  1. Business: 35%

    Litigation and transactions of all types between companies and people who own companies.

    10 years, 50 cases

  2. Landlord or tenant: 22%

    Representing landlords and tenants in lawsuits alleging unlawful detainer (evictions), breach of lease, withholding of security deposits, and similar claims.

    11 years, 100 cases

  3. Real estate: 17%

    Litigation involving land and the people and companies who own it.

    10 years, 150 cases

  4. Civil rights: 16%

    Resolving disputes involving claims brought under Americans with Disabilities Act, California Constitution, Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Persons Act, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and similar statutes.

    11 years, 150 cases

  1. Copyright infringement: 10%

    Claims involving copyright infringement.

    11 years, 20 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

4068345 1497299078

Contact

Galuppo & Blake

2792 Gateway Dr.
Suite 102
Carlsbad, CA, 92009

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive201111/08/2021
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers0
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Top Appellate LawyerSan Diego Magazine2018
Top LawyerSan Diego Magazine2018
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5Martindale-Hubbell2018
AV-Rated Preeminent (Peer Review)Martindale-Hubbell2017
Outstanding merit in Americans with Disabilities Act litigationPeer review2017
Excellence in Trial ReadinessGaluppo & Blake2017
Excellence in Appellate AdvocacyGaluppo & Blake2017
Excellence in Real Property LawGaluppo & Blake2016
Finalist, Intraschool Moot Court CompetitionUC Davis School of Law2011
Witkin Award for Academic Excellence: Local Government LawUC Davis School of Law2011
Witkin Award for Academic Excellence: Law of E-CommerceUC Davis School of Law2010
Outstanding Warren College StudentUC San Diego2006
Provost's HonorsUC San Diego2006
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
AttorneyGaluppo & Blake, APLC2014 - Present
AttorneyLaw Firm2011 - 2014
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
UC San Diego Political Science DepartmentCoach for Appellate Advocacy program2017 - Present
Inns of CourtMember2012 - Present
U.S. District Court, Northern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice2012 - Present
Ninth Circuit Court of AppealsAdmitted to Practice2012 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember2011 - Present
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice2011 - Present
U.S. District Court, Central District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice2011 - Present
U.S. District Court, Southern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice2011 - Present
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember2011 - 2013
ACLU at King HallChairman2010 - 2011
UC Davis Law ReviewEditor2010 - 2011
UC Davis School of Law Moot Court BoardCommittee Chair2010 - 2011
Federalist Society at UC Davis School of LawPresident2009 - 2010
The Advocate (newspaper)Editor2009 - 2011
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
California AggieDoes Facebook own the copyright to my photos?2016
California AggieCan a landlord evict a residential tenant when a house is sold?2015
California AggieNoise ordinances and the law2013
California AggieWatts Legal: Legal escape routes and parking tickets in the City of Davis2013
UC Davis Legal Studies Research PaperSubsidizing Discrimination Through Recognition: Associational Rights in Public Colleges and the Right to Exclude2010
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
UC Davis SOL King HallJ.D.2011
Univ of California San DiegoB.A.2006
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Webinar speakers seriesAmericans with Disabilities Act litigation2018
Lopardo Inns of Court meetingCross-examination at trial2017
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Newport Habor Ventures, LLC v. Morris Cerullo World EvangelismAppealed to California Supreme Court
Newport Harbor Offices & Marina, LLC v. MCWE, et. al.Successful demurrer disposed of most of the opposing party's claims.

Reviews

(1)5.0 stars
5 Star
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Review Daniel Watts

Helpful lawyer, good communication skills

5.0 stars

Posted by

I had to sue to dissolve a partnership, and Daniel Watts was a huge help. He responded to emails and phone calls immediately, kept me updated, and answered my questions in language I could understand. I recommend him.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Attorney endorsements

(9)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
Lawyer Joel Francis Murray

Joel Murray, Business Attorney on Dec 11, 2018
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer. Dan I went to law school together, and were both on Law Review. Good guy, and "sharp as a tack".

Lawyer Lael Lee M Abaya

Lael Abaya, Unknown Attorney on Jul 23, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I admire Daniel's creativity, enthusiasm and intelligence towards the law. In fact, Daniel recently argued in front of the California Supreme Court, which is certainly a big accomplishment as an attorney. I highly endorse Daniel.

Lawyer Joel Francis Murray

Joel Murray, Business Attorney on Dec 11, 2018
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer. Dan I went to law school together, and were both on Law Review. Good guy, and "sharp as a tack".

Lawyer Lael Lee M Abaya

Lael Abaya, Unknown Attorney on Jul 23, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I admire Daniel's creativity, enthusiasm and intelligence towards the law. In fact, Daniel recently argued in front of the California Supreme Court, which is certainly a big accomplishment as an attorney. I highly endorse Daniel.

Lawyer Kyle K. Morishita

Kyle Morishita, Unknown Attorney on Nov 18, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Daniel is an extremely intelligent and creative attorney. He is well spoken and articulate.

Lawyer Gary Scott Saunders

Gary Saunders, Unknown Attorney on Jul 22, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this intelligent and professional attorney.

Lawyer Matthew Alan Hornbuckle

Matthew Hornbuckle, Civil rights Attorney on Feb 3, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer. I have had the opportunity to work with Daniel for over a year at my previous law firm. Daniel is a very dedicated and knowledgeable attorney especially with civil rights and free speech related matters.

Lawyer Samuel Joseph Carstensen

Samuel Carstensen, Business Attorney on Jan 5, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Daniel Shane Raff

Daniel Raff, Civil rights Attorney on Aug 26, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Daniel is the most knowledgeable attorney I know when it comes to civil rights issues. When I need help in this area, he's the attorney that I call for advice. I highly recommend this lawyer.

Lawyer Ryan Thomas Darby

Ryan Darby, Civil rights Attorney on Jun 2, 2013
Relationship: Friend

Daniel is a sharp and enthusiastic litigator. He is a major proponent of free speech and a true friend of individual liberty. I enthusiastically endorse Daniel.

No photo

Khushpreet Mehton, Civil rights Attorney on Apr 19, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Cost

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