Dan has substantial negotiation and trial experience in family law matters. He has successfully settled most cases and tried those cases which couldn't be settled. This gives him great insight in resolving complex Family Law matters.

Dan has been appointed by Superior Court Judges to represent children as their attorney in well over 50 cases.  When Contra Costa County was operating a Judge Pro Tem system where attorney's would sit as temporary judges, Dan served on many occasions and acted as Trial Judge on a number of occasions.

Parties and attorneys have selected Dan to act as a Special Master-Referee on numerous occasions.  A Special Master is a person who takes evidence from both parties and then submits recommendations for orders to the court.

Dan was admitted to the California State Bar in 1981 after graduating from Golden Gate School of Law with honors.  Early in his career he practiced family law and general civil litigation gaining experience in both state and federal courts.  For the last 25 years he has exclusively practiced  family law. 

Dan strives to provide high quality services to his clients.  He has been rated as a preiminent attorney by Martindale-Hubbell* where he has been AV rated since 1999 which indicates the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.

Dan has been rated a Northern California Super Lawyer in 2010 and 2011.

About Daniel S. Harkins

Education & Knowledge of Current Law

Dan has been the presenter of numerous programs educating lawyers and other professionals involved in the family law community.  These programs have included evidence, child custody evaluations, the training of lawyers to represent minor children, and other family law topics.

Memberships & Associations

Dan is a member of the California State Bar and of the Contra Costa County Bar Association.  He had been elected to the Board of Directors of the Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar for over 15 years.  He has also been elected as President of the Family Law Section for 3 terms.