Blank Rome LLP is pleased to announce that Edward A. Danielyan, Daniel (“Dan”) S. Klein, and Neakzaad (“Neak”) L. Horriat have joined the firm’s Business Litigation practice group. Edward joins the Orange County office as an associate, while Dan and Neak join the Dallas office as of counsel and associate, respectively.
Edward represents clients in complex business disputes in state and federal courts, bringing extensive experience across all phases of litigation. He applies a disciplined, forward-looking approach to identifying and mitigating risk, has second-chaired arbitration hearings, and led mediations resulting in successful resolutions for his clients.
Licensed to practice in California, Edward earned his J.D. from the University of California, Irvine School of Law, and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He previously served as a law clerk to the Chief Magistrate Judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. Edward previously served as a litigation associate at Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP and rejoins his colleagues, a five-partner, market-leading hospitality team who joined Blank Rome in February 2026.
As Blank Rome’s Business Litigation practice continues to gain momentum in Dallas, with the addition of partner Mark L. Johansen in February 2026 following the June 2025 arrivals of David M. Clem and associate Megan A. Altobelli, the firm further strengthened the group with the additions of Dan and Neak.
Dan represents business and financial services clients in high-stakes commercial disputes on both the plaintiff and defense side. As plaintiff’s counsel, he has secured seven-and eight-figure settlements and verdicts, including recently obtaining a $16.5 million jury verdict in federal court. He has handled matters across the energy, franchise, healthcare, and real estate sectors, and has advised major financial institutions—including top ten U.S. banks—in litigation and in distressed loan workouts and modifications.
Admitted to practice in Texas, Dan earned his J.D., with high honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, and his B.A. from the University of Kansas. Before joining Blank Rome, Dan worked as a partner at a Texas‑based commercial law firm, where he previously worked alongside David M. Clem. Dan also served as a law clerk to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and worked at an international law firm. Before entering the legal profession, he served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Neak is a trusted advocate and strategic counselor with substantial experience litigating in state and federal courts. His practice spans civil Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) healthcare fraud, breach of contract, non-compete matters, and trade secret disputes. He advises clients across a range of industries, including healthcare, construction, real estate, entertainment, private equity, oil and gas, hospitality, public utilities, and aviation.
Neak earned his J.D., cum laude, from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Biola University. He is admitted to practice in Texas and is an active member of the Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Association for Young Lawyers, and St. Thomas More Society.
