Dane Ball

  • Partner, Smyser Kaplan & Veselka LLP

  • Counsel, Quinn Emmanuel Urquhart & Sullivan

  • Attorney, Gerger & Clarke

  • Associate, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

  • Law Clerk to the Hon. Harold R. DeMoss, Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

  • J.D., summa cum laude, Pepperdine University

  • B.A., Pepperdine University

Dane likes to get things done—yesterday—and brings that intensity and urgency to every aspect of his work. He is equally adept at seeing the big picture and attending to the small details.

As a result, Dane has successfully represented individuals and companies in their most sensitive legal matters—from 8-figure complex commercial litigation, to federal criminal trials and appeals, to parallel criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings, to a wide range of internal and government investigations. He has especially deep expertise in cases involving anti-corruption and the FCPA, environmental or industrial catastrophes, and alleged fraud and financial crimes.

His public victories in white-collar litigation have drawn acclaim: the not guilty verdict for the BP well-site leader wrongfully blamed for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; the government's agreement to dismiss fraud charges against a coach indicted in the “Varsity Blues” investigation; the dismissal of corruption charges against one of the longest-sitting members of the Texas House of Representatives; and a complete acquittal after one of the nation's few criminal insider-trading trials. But Dane is equally proud of the discreet ways he has helped clients avoid charges in an array of government investigations.

Dane also has extensive in complex civil litigation. His significant matters include work in opioid lawsuits against a drug distributor, sex-trafficking lawsuits against a technology company, 8-figure breach of contract claims between energy companies, and various high-stakes product liability matters.

Dane is keenly aware of the high stakes for a company or individual involved in an investigation or white-collar criminal case. So he communicates frequently and openly with his clients to minimize surprises and bring control to an often chaotic environment.

Before law school, Dane played Division 1 baseball for nationally-ranked Pepperdine, becoming an all-conference player. He then translated the discipline he honed on the baseball diamond into success at law school. Over the years, he has appeared on television and radio, been quoted in newspapers across the country, taught at the University of Houston Law Center, and written about cutting-edge white-collar issues for national publications.

Praise for Dane

"An excellent and experienced lawyer" who is "incredibly organized and tenacious" - Chambers

"Great at maintaining calm under stressful situations and seeing the bigger picture" - Chambers

"Both a lawyer's lawyer and very practical in dealing with businesses" - Chambers

"When the federal government came knocking, I needed the best. Respected sources highly recommended Dane Ball. Dane brought unmatched judgment, strategic command, and calm under pressure. He moved quickly and efficiently. He guided every move with precision, protected my reputation, and made sure I walked away unscathed. If your livelihood or liberty is on the line, you want Dane in your corner." - Former Board Member, Multi-Billion-Dollar Private Company

“There is resounding praise for Dane Ball . . . one of the best young white collar defense partners in Texas.” - Benchmark Litigation

“Dane’s knowledge, personal composure, and ability to learn about the complexities of his client's cases is highly impressive.” - Chambers

“A dedicated professional. Has a calm demeanor and is meticulous. Extremely responsive. An invaluable asset to any client.” - C-suite executive, publicly-traded drilling company

“Dynamic lawyer. Gladiator in a suit.” - Texas State Representative

“As a damages expert for nearly three decades, I’ve seen the best attorneys in the country in action. Dane is simply the best of the best.” - Resolution Economics, Coherent Economics

“Dane is great at maintaining calm under stressful situations and seeing the bigger picture . . . . Incredibly organized and tenacious . . . . Both a lawyer's lawyer and very practical in dealing with businesses . . . . An excellent and experienced lawyer.” - Chambers 2025

"Dane helped me navigate some ridiculously complex moments. His counsel and strategy proved to be a winning formula. I am very grateful to have had him on my team." - C-suite executive, publicly-traded retail company

Representative Matters

  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act / Anti-Corruption

    • Representing former government employee and private consultant indicted for alleged conflicts of interest in performing government service.

    • “Varsity Blues” Alleged College Admissions Bribery Scandal. Dane served as trial counsel for a Division 1 athletic coach in the investigation, which led to a RICO and fraud indictment alleging illegal payments in the admissions process at numerous universities. Before trial, the Court dismissed one of the government’s fraud theories; the government later abandoned its RICO charge; and ultimately, the government and client resolved the case in a Deferred Prosecution Agreement under which the government agreed to dismiss the charges upon satisfaction of the agreement's conditions.

    • Rep. Dawnna Dukes Public Corruption Scandal. Dane served as defense counsel for one of the longest-sitting members of the Texas House of Representatives, who was charged in Travis County, TX with 15 counts of public corruption in 3 separate indictments. The defense mounted legal and factual defenses that dismantled all three indictments and caused the prosecution to request a continuance to determine whether it could prove its case. The prosecution later dismissed all 15 charges with prejudice before trial.

    Environmental & Industrial Catastrophes

    • Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Dane served as trial counsel for BP’s well site leader in the aftermath of the oil spill, including a company internal investigation; civil multi-district litigation; parallel administrative proceedings; and 23 federal criminal charges of manslaughter and Clean Water Act pollution. Over 4 years of litigation, the defense convinced the court to dismiss 11 manslaughter charges before trial (affirmed on appeal), and the government itself dismissed 11 more. After a two-week trial on the remaining Clean Water Act charge, the defense obtained a not guilty verdict after less than two hours of jury deliberation.

    • Black Elk Explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. Dane served as defense counsel for an offshore contractor charged in the aftermath of the Black Elk explosion with manslaughter, violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and the Clean Water Act. Successfully avoided the 8 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act charges after showing that the relevant statutes do not apply to offshore contractors. Before trial, the manslaughter felonies were dismissed when the parties reached a misdemeanor Clean Water Act settlement.

    Fraud and Financial Crimes

    • Shaw Group / CB&I Merger Insider Trading. Dane served as trial counsel for a businessman indicted for alleged insider trading following his purchase of stock before the formal announcement of the merger. Obtained a verdict of not guilty on all charges, and later, complete dismissal in the parallel SEC enforcement action.

    • BP Commodities Trading Scandal. Dane served as defense counsel for a BP commodities trader in a federal criminal case alleging 26 counts of commodities manipulation, cornering, and wire fraud. By showing that the Commodities Exchange Act did not apply to the alleged trades, obtained dismissal of all 26 counts, and the appellate court affirmed.

    • Multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud. Dane served as defense counsel for a mortgage broker in a federal criminal case charging 14 individuals with mortgage fraud and money laundering. The other 13 defendants pled guilty or cooperated. Three days before the trial secured a deferred prosecution agreement, and the government later dismissed all charges.

  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act / Anti-Corruption

    • Representing executive of commodities trading company in internal investigation regarding U.S. government contracts

    • Advising logistics company regarding FCPA issues impacting contemplated transaction

    • Advising industrial construction company regarding FCPA issues impacting line of potential business in the Middle East

    • Successfully represented executive of publicly-traded company in antitrust government and internal investigation

    • Successfully represented executives of publicly traded energy company in investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) into alleged violations of the FCPA in Africa

    • Successfully represented executive in investigation by the DOJ and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) into alleged violations of the FCPA in South America

    • Successfully represented business owner in investigation by DOJ and DHS into alleged violations of the FCPA involving a foreign state-owned energy company in South America

    • Successfully represented executive of classification society in investigation into alleged violations of the FCPA, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented executive of oilfield services company in investigation by the DOJ into alleged bribery of public officials in the United States, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented executives of oilfield services companies in separate investigations by the DOJ into alleged illegal trading with sanctioned countries, no charges filed

    Environmental & Industrial Catastrophes

    • Successfully represented one of the nation's leading residential real estate companies in internal and grand jury investigations into alleged felony water pollution, all charges dismissed

    • Successfully represented employees of chemical company in federal and state government investigations into the cause of an industrial accident, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented commercial construction company in DOJ and OSHA joint investigation into death of worker at construction site, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented numerous employees and shipping companies in separate investigations by the DOJ, EPA, and the U.S. Coast Guard into alleged environmental violations offshore, no charges filed

    Fraud and Financial Crimes

    • Representing former CEO of healthcare company in SEC investigation into accuracy of company’s public disclosures

    • Representing business owner in DOJ money-laundering investigation

    • Advising numerous publicly traded companies in the financial industry as they interact with federal law enforcement in investigations into the conduct of their executives or employees

    • Successfully represented former executives of energy trading company in investigation by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission 

    • Successfully represented owner of industrial equipment company in parallel civil and criminal cases involving alleged kickbacks to employees of a contractual counterparty

    • Successfully represented business owners in wholesale luxury watch industry who were defrauded by various contractual counterparties

    • Successfully represented former Chair of the Audit Committee of publicly traded oilfield services company in derivative suit and SEC investigation into the company's previous public disclosures

    • Successfully represented doctor in a DOJ Healthcare Fraud Task Force investigation

    • Successfully represented director of large privately-held companies in DOJ and IRS joint investigation

    • Successfully represented large privately-held company in DOJ Antitrust Division investigation into alleged price-fixing

    • Successfully represented business owner in IRS criminal investigation, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented large packaging company in Department of Labor investigation, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented senior executive of energy infrastructure services company in internal, SEC, and FINRA investigations into alleged insider trading and failure to report insider trades, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented executive of industrial manufacturing company in DOJ investigation  into alleged financial fraud against an oil company, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented charter school in DOJ, U.S. Department of Education, and IRS joint investigation into alleged financial fraud, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented individual in DOJ, FBI, and IRS joint investigation into alleged financial fraud in the athletic department of a public university, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented senior executive of technology manufacturer in DOJ investigation into alleged theft of trade secrets from a competitor, no charges filed

    • Successfully represented broker in FINRA arbitration proceeding alleging fraud and negligence, plaintiff awarded a tenth of alleged damages at arbitration

Noteworthy

    • “White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations” by Chambers USA

    • “500 Leading Litigators in America” by Lawdragon

    • “Criminal Defense: White Collar” by Super Lawyers

    • “Best Lawyers” by Best Lawyers in America

    • “Top Lawyer” by Texas

    • “Litigation Star” by Benchmark

    • “Future Star” by Benchmark

    • “Under 40 Hot List” by Benchmark

    • “Outstanding Young Lawyer” by Texas Monthly

    • “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers

    • State Bars of Texas and Minnesota

    • United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas

    • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

    • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

    • American Bar Association

  • Television and Radio Appearances

    • I Am Exonerated: State Rep. Dawnna Duke Speaks Out After Criminal Charges Dropped, KVUE News 

    • Fact or Fiction: Local Attorney Talks “Deepwater Horizon” Film, KHOU 11 News 

    • Reasonable Doubt, Houston Media Source

    • Deepwater Horizon Joint Investigation Hearing Before U.S. Coast Guard and Bureau of Energy Management, C-SPAN 

    • All Things Considered, National Public Radio - 88.7 

    Media coverage

    • Another Coach Turns to Houston Lawyers in Admissions Fraud Scandal, Texas Lawyer (March 29, 2019)

    • Deepwater Deception: The Truth About the Tragic Blowout & Perversion of American Justice, Robert Kaluza & Maryann Karinch (April 20, 2018)

    • Dane Ball (JD ’05) Secures Release for Innocent Ugandan Prisoner During Sudreau Summer Global Justice Project, Pepperdine Law Surf Report (July 19, 2018)

    • Admitting Error, Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Rep. Dawnna Dukes, The Texas Tribune (October 23, 2017)

    • Prosecutors Drop Criminal Charges Against State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, Houston Chronicle (October 23, 2017)

    • Prosecutors Drop All Remaining Charges Against Rep. Dawnna Dukes, Austin Statesman (October 23, 2017)

    • Corrine Brown’s Trial Features Big-Name Witnesses to Test Charges, Florida Times-Union (April 22, 2017)

    • Blowout, Texas Monthly (October 2016)

    • Big Wins with Expert Witnesses: 6 Lessons From Attorneys, The Expert Institute (June 7, 2016)

    • FuelFX, SKV Deliver Virtual Environments for Real-World Justice, Business Wire (March 30, 2015)

    Speeches

    • Successfully Defending a Federal White Collar Criminal Case, Southern District of Texas Federal Bar Association Luncheon 

    • Not Guilty: The Roberts Insider Trading Aquittal, Houston Bar Association Seminars 

    • The 5 Biggest Problems in Criminal Law Today, Houston Bar Association Seminars 

    • Not Guilty: The Deepwater Horizon Criminal Trials, Business Crimes for Criminal and Civil Lawyers 

    • Deepwater Horizon: Reflections on Navigating High-Profile Criminal Investigations and Trials, Houston Bar Association Criminal Law & Procedure Section 

    Written Publications

    • Improving “Willful Blindness” Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases after High Court's Decision in Global-Tech, BNA Criminal Law Reporter 

    • Repackaging Skilling-Barred Fraud Theories: A Form of Damage Control That Goes Too Far, BNA White Collar Crime Report

    • Ending a Decade of Federal Prosecutorial Abuse in the Corporate Criminal Charging Decision, 9 WYO. L. REV. (2009)

    • Thornton v. United States: Blurring Belton's Bright Line Rule Spells Disaster for Lower Courts and the Fourth Amendment, 35 SW. U. L. REV. (2005)

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 720, Houston, TX 77002
650 Poydras Street, Suite 1400, New Orleans,  LA 70130