About Dan
Personal Bio
Dan McKenzie brings nearly two decades of high stakes defense experience to SHK’s plaintiffs’ side trial firm, making him a formidable advocate for those injured by negligence. He knows how defense firms operate because he spent 17 years inside them, representing Fortune 500 companies, large corporations, insurance companies, and major contractors. He knows how the defense side thinks because he was one of them. And now that background is his clients’ secret weapon that he uses to beat them.
Though Dan started his career representing injured plaintiffs, he took a long detour into the defense where he learned exactly how the other side thinks, strategizes, and tries to devalue claims. He mastered their playbook. Now back where he belongs, Dan uses that knowledge to anticipate defense tactics before they happen and to dismantle them with precision.
Dan is not just experienced. He has been battle tested. Selected to Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars (2017–2021) for his defense work, Dan has handled everything from catastrophic injury to complex commercial litigation. But he didn’t come to SHK for more of the same. He came to do work that matters.
After crossing paths with Brian Kim as opposing counsel in a hard fought multimillion dollar case, the two developed great mutual respect for one another and stayed in touch. Over the years, Dan watched SHK from the outside and saw something different. He saw a firm that chose its cases carefully. A firm that fought for good, honest people with serious injuries, real losses, and stories that mattered. Dan realized there is a small, powerful corner of this profession where lawyers can choose their cases. They can fight for people they believe in. And they can do work that makes a difference and helps rebuild lives.
Dan’s clients benefit from his meticulous preparation, relentless work ethic, and rare insight into how defense teams operate behind the scenes. His years of defense work have taught him how to find pressure points, dismantle, and stay a step ahead of the other side’s playbook. He now uses that knowledge where it counts. At SHK, he brings it all together in pursuit of justice for real people, and not corporations.