Daniel Charest

Daniel Charest is an accomplished litigator with extensive experience in high-stakes litigation across federal and state courts, as well as international arbitration. Daniel engages confidently with juries, executives, and witnesses alike, utilizing a blend of experience, intellect, grit, and compassion to meet his clients' goals.

Daniel's diverse practice includes antitrust, breach of contract, fraud, oil and gas disputes, class actions, and wrongful death, among others. He has successfully navigated complex procedural challenges such as removal, class certification, and appeals, among many others.

Recognized for his exceptional work, Daniel is routinely recognized by peers and publications, including being named “Attorney of the Year” by Texas Lawyer in 2020 and highlighted as a “Winning Litigator” by the National Law Journal for his high-profile trial wins and significant settlements. Daniel has reinforced his distinction by most recently earning jury verdicts of $30,718,873 in Dallas County for a fraud claim and $41,000,000 in Denver District Court for an oil and gas matter.

Daniel currently serves as lead trial attorney for Upstream Plaintiffs before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims asserting claims against the federal governmental for flooding that devasted homes and businesses during Hurricane Harvey. Described as the largest takings claim in U.S. history, the ruling will allow more than 10,000 Houston-area property owners to recover compensation. Daniel led the trial team that won two trials to achieve a just compensation for bellwether plaintiffs.

Meanwhile, Daniel is leading other trial teams to pursue claims of environmental injustice. Whether against giants like BP or Chevron or in connection with massive refineries, Daniel represents his clients in their fight for justice.

In 2015, Daniel co-founded Burns Charest with the mission of building a team of skilled, trial-ready lawyers focused on efficiency and effectiveness. His success – and that of the firm he built – shows that he is achieving that mission.

Updated Oct 2025

• Devillier v. Texas, 601 U.S. 285, 144 S. Ct. 938 (2024). Obtained unanimous US Supreme Court victory for clients in Takings Claims. Argued winning position to trial court but lost on appeal. Summary judgment motions and class certification briefed and pending remand from SCOTUS.
  
  
• Boynes v. Limetree Bay Ventures LLC, 110 F.4th 604 (3d Cir. 2024). Argued appeal against former Judge Orlofsky. Obtained unanimous affirmance of trial court win in preliminary injunction. Appointed as co-lead trial counsel for putative class in St. Croix, USVI.
  
  
• Jerry “Scott” Stockton v. Sun Holdings, Inc., et al., No. CC-19-02768-D (County Court at Law No. 4, Dallas County, Texas). Prosecuted fraud claim by Dallas-area man against national-level, Dallas-based franchisee in eight-day jury trial. Won jury verdict of $15,618,873.47 in fraud damages and, after bifurcated trial, another verdict totaling $15,100,000.00 in punitive damages. All combined, the jury verdicts reached $30,718,873.47. In trial, opened, presented the main fact witness, crossed the main fact witness, and closed.
  
  
• GT Resources, LLC v. Black Hills Corporation, No. 2020CV30751, In the District Court for Denver County. Represented oil & gas plaintiff for claims of breach of good faith and fair dealing and tortious interference with a prospective business advantage involving the award and eventual loss of an oil & gas concession in Costa Rica. Obtained $41,000,000 jury verdict after six days of trial (and one day of deliberation). In trial, opened, presented the main fact witness, presented the main damages expert, crossed the main fact witness, crossed the main damages expert, and closed.
  
  
• In re Upstream Addicks and Barker (Texas) Flood-Control Reservoirs, Sub-Master Docket No. 17-cv-9001L (Fed. Cl.). Court-appointed co-lead counsel for Hurricane Harvey upstream flood victims. “The largest Fifth Amendment takings cases in history” according to the federal government. Led plaintiffs’ trial team to a historic liability trial win against the federal government. In trial, opened, presented key witnesses, crossed key witnesses, and closed. Won just compensation trial for bellwether plaintiffs. Pending appeal in the US Federal Circuit.

• Arbitration
• Class action
• Commercial disputes
• Competition/antitrust
• Energy and construction
• Environmental
• Intellectual property
• Asbestos, Consumer Protection, Toxic and Mass Tort Litigation

• J.D., summa cum laude - Tulane University Law School - 2004
• B.S., cum laude - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - 1994

• Trial Law Institute – Litigation Counsel of America, Member - 2022
• Diversity Law Institute – Litigation Counsel of America - 2022

• State Bar of Texas    
• Virginia State Bar    
• Maine State Bar Association    
• The District of Columbia Bar    
• Virgin Islands Bar Association