Bio

Dana Suntag has a wealth of experience in complex litigation with a focus in defense of public entities (including civil rights and employment defense), business litigation, construction, real estate, and creditors’ rights.

Mr. Suntag received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey, and his law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California, in 1986, graduating cum laude. Mr. Suntag was also an editor of the Southwestern University Law Review and on its Executive Board. He also was a recipient of the prestigious Thomas Bradley Scholarship. During law school, Mr. Suntag worked as a law clerk for the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Los Angeles.

After graduating from law school, Mr. Suntag practiced in Los Angeles for nine years with a national law firm. His practice there focused on large and complex lawsuits, representing clients in all areas of business, employment, and commercial litigation.

He was then a founding partner of Shaver, Suntag & Feuerstein, which ultimately became The Suntag Law Firm.

Mr. Suntag has acted as an arbitrator for many years. More recently, he has turned his talents towards mediating cases. He is a graduate of the prestigious Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and has been certified as a mediator by the Third District Court of Appeal. He is also on the panel of mediators for the San Joaquin County Superior Court.

Mr. Suntag was the author of the appellate brief in the notable case Crockford’s Club Ltd. v. Si-Ahmed, 203 Cal.App.3d 1402 (1988), in which he argued successfully, on behalf of a London casino, for the overturning of longstanding California law on the enforceability of gambling debts.

Mr. Suntag also has authored various legal articles, including “State Enacts Law to Curb Worker Violence,” The Business Journal (July 1996); “Public Policy Factors Don’t Bar Enforcement of All Gambling Debts,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (April 11, 1994); “Depositions in Japan Can be Tricky,” Los Angeles Daily Journal (May 29, 1990); and Note: “Reed v. Commissioner: The Validity of Tax Deferral Through The Use of a Bona Fide, Arms Length Agreement,” 15 Southwestern Univ. L. Rev. 615 (1985).

Mr. Suntag has long been involved in local community organizations. He was a member of the Stockton Arts Commission for 10 years, a founding board member of First Night Stockton, a member of the City of Stockton Public Art Task force, and a member of the Stockton Image Commission.

Mr. Suntag is a member of the State Bar of California’s Committee on the Administration of Justice. Mr. Suntag also is a member of the San Joaquin County Bar Association.