Professional Experience
Dan is a skilled and cross-disciplined litigator who represents both corporate and individual clients as plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of federal and state matters. His cases have been wide-ranging, involving fraud, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, real estate, antitrust, securities, partnership disputes (business divorces), employment disputes, theft of trade secrets, cybercrime, unfair competition, trusts and estates, and healthcare fraud including cases involving the Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act.
He has experience handling all phases of pre-lawsuit and pretrial litigation, including early and alternative dispute resolution, and also has extensive experience in appellate work and with challenges to personal jurisdiction. In addition to civil litigation, Dan has represented clients in various criminal investigations, including those initiated by Congress, the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Office of Inspector General.
Mr. Csillag's recent cases include:
- In a high-profile dispute between Angelina Jolie and her ex-husband Brad Pitt, Dan is defending Ms. Jolie against Pitt’s claim that she somehow violated an alleged unwritten, unspoken agreement that she would never sell her share of the couple’s jointly-owned winery without Pitt’s consent. We have cross-claimed on Ms. Jolie’s behalf, relying in part on Pitt’s unequivocal, written refusal to be bound by any such buy-sell agreement. The matter involves complex and delicate issues regarding the propriety of non-disparagement clauses, quasi-contract rights, corporate governance, and the interplay between the laws of California with those in France and Luxembourg. Ms. Jolie’s Cross-Complaint against Brad Pitt can be found here.
- Defending a national charity in a suit brought by the California Attorney General alleging that the client’s financial statements and charitable solicitations failed to comply with GAAP. After a three-week administrative hearing, the hearing officer found that the client had in fact complied with GAAP. Related issues are now in the Superior Court mandamus process.
- Defended an executive accused of violating the federal False Claims Act by failing to pay import duties. Because the alleged violation carried both civil and criminal penalties, at trial, the client pleaded his right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment to all substantive issues. Nevertheless, the jury unanimously found in favor of our client. The case involved highly technical rules and regulations and complex legal issues under the FCA. The trial victory was featured extensively in the L.A. Daily Journal (see How to plead the 5th more than 100 times and still win, L.A. Daily Journal, Aug. 20, 2019), and was recently named one of the Los Angeles Daily Journal’s Top Defense Verdicts for 2019.
- Represented an eSports company in a complex partnership dispute over the proceeds of an asset sale—a slot in the League of Legends Championship Series. After filing a TRO on the client’s behalf on extremely minimal notice, the case settled on favorable terms.
- Prosecuted and defended cross claims between shareholders of two companies that own nearly 100 fast and fast-casual food franchises in the Southwest United States. After a group of officers misappropriated company funds, their positions were terminated and their shares purchased over their objection. The case involved intricate factual and legal issues relating to misappropriation, unclean hands, and breach of fiduciary duties.
- Represented national retailer in connection with parallel criminal antitrust investigation and civil class action involving price-fixing allegations. After considerable work and negotiation, the DOJ ultimately agreed to settle on extremely favorable terms.
- Represented corporate officer in parallel federal and state civil suits involving theft of trade secrets and cybercrime statutes, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Wiretap Act, Stored Communications Act, and state analogs.
- Represented California-based company in commercial dispute with out-of-state competitor that raises novel personal jurisdiction issues that were briefed to the California Supreme Court.
- Represented and obtained a favorable settlement for a judgment creditor in suit to set aside fraudulent asset transfer.
- Represented former officers and directors of public company in SEC insider trading investigation that resulted in SEC electing to take no action.
- Represented national health-care organization in responding to congressional subcommittee investigation into fetal-tissue donation practices and related accounting issues.
- Represented Fortune 500 company in retaliatory discharge case in Arizona state court, beating the main claims with a motion for summary judgment.
Pro Bono Activities
- Represented Brennan Center for Justice at NYU in connection with California Public Records Act requests to LAPD.
- Represented underage rape victim in connection with application for U Visa.
- Represented federal inmate in application for clemency under federal guidelines.
Prior Professional Experience
- O'Melveny & Myers, LLP (2009-2016)
- Extern: Honorable Dean D. Pregerson, U.S. District Court, Central District of California
