Daniel E. Thenell, Associate
dthenell@smithfreed.com

Professional Experience
After law school, Dan was a judicial clerk for United States Magistrate Judge Dennis J. Hubel for three years. Dan was then a Washington County Deputy District Attorney for six years where he prosecuted more than 60 jury trials and numerous court trials. Dan specialized in the prosecution of large-scale Identity Theft and fraud crimes. He also trained law enforcement officers in report writing, search and seizure and domestic violence. Dan was cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney under Project Safe-Neighborhoods, a program designed to combat gun crimes. After six years as a Deputy DA, Dan entered private practice to represent cities and counties in civil rights and employment cases, and to defend personal injury actions. Currently, Dan handles first and third party claims in Oregon and Washington. A majority of his practice is devoted to SIU and coverage investigation for Oregon and Washington Insurers. Recently, Dan has conducted training on bad faith litigation in Washington in light of the Insurance Fair Conduct Act.

Significant Representations

• Jointly coordinated a two-year investigation into the fraudulent issuance of thousands of Oregon Driver Licenses to out-of-state residents.
• Represented an Oregon city sued for wrongful death and civil rights violations.
• Represented landlord sued for wrongful death after house fire that killed a three-person family.
• Assisted in defending multi-million dollar personal injury auto-pedestrian accident.
• Represented insurer in products liability subrogation action involving a house fire.
• Coordinates multiple arson investigations and other first party coverage investigations.

Education

Seattle University, BA Marketing 1992
University of Oregon School of Law, JD 1996

Professional/Community Involvement

• Member, Oregon State Bar Association
• Member, Washington State Bar Association
• Member, United States District Court for the District of Oregon
• Member, United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
• Member, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
• Member, Washington County Bar Association
• Member, Multnomah County Bar Association
• Member, Gus J. Solomon American Inn of Court
• Member, United States District Court Historical Society
• Chair, Legislative Committee, Regional Economic Crime Investigation Center Foundation
• Co-drafted SB 464 creating new crime of Aggravated Identity Theft.
• Board Member, Oregon Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators
• Co-Counsel, Oregon Chapter of the International Association of Special Investigation Units

In his free time, Dan enjoys spending time with his family and following University of Oregon Athletics.