Danielle Banks

Danielle Banks

Overview

Danielle Banks devotes a significant amount of her practice to defending businesses, universities and governmental entities against discrimination claims, including claims brought under Title VII, Section 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. She also defends governmental entities against Section 1983 claims. Additionally, Danielle represents businesses in housing and mortgage discrimination claims, represents defendants in asbestos litigation and handles matters on behalf of religious entities.

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Results

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Representative Matters

  • Employment defense summary judgment victories:
    • Valerie Fulton-Walker and Cristal Swift v. SEPTA, EDPA, No. 22-224
    • William Jackson v. Temple University, EDPA, No. 20-1421-KSM
    • Sheila Jackson v. SEPTA, EDPA, No. 19-cv-0760-JMY
    • Stephen Branch v. Temple University, et al., EDPA, 20-cv-2323-CFK
    • Gardner v. SEPTA, 824 Fed. Appx. 100 (3d Cir. 2020)
    • Dudhi v. Temple Health Oaks Lung Center, 834 Fed. Appx. 727 (3d Cir. 2020)
    • Darby v. Temple University, 2018 WL 3862087 (E.D. Pa. Aug. 14, 2018)
    • Dowdell v. Community College of Philadelphia, 2017 WL 2506444;725 Fed. Appx. 198 (3d Cir. 2018)
    • Clarkson v. SEPTA, 700 Fed. Appx. 111 (3d Cir. 2017)
    • Frederick, et. al. v. Barbush, 2015 WL 4393339 (M.D. Pa. July 15, 2015)
    • Jones v. SEPTA, 2014 WL 3887747, 796 F.3d 323 (3d Cir. 2015)
    • Toland v. SEPTA, 2:12-CV-02480 (E.D. Pa. Jan. 16, 2014)
    • Hamilton v. SEPTA, 2014 WL 2862146 (E.D. Pa. June 24, 2014)
    • Lyles v. SEPTA, 2:10-CV-04424 (E.D. Pa. July 9, 2012)
    • Fields v. SEPTA, 2011 WL 4392118, 445 Fed. Appx. 496 (3d Cir. 2011)
    • Grier v. SEPTA2:11-CV-05891 (E.D. Pa. Sept. 16, 2011)
    • Parmar v. SEPTA, 2:11-CV-03022 (E.D. Pa. May 9, 2011)
  • Employment defense public hearing/trial victories:
    • Schurgot v. SEPTA, 2017 WL 3226859 (E.D. Pa Sept. 28, 2018)
    • Griggs v. SEPTA, 2:14-CV-06226 (E.D. Pa. Dec. 8, 2016)
    • Cabiness v. SEPTA, 14-CV-1371 (E.D. Pa. – June 29, 2015)
    • Patterson v. Shelton, 95072945 (Phila. CCP – Nov. 7, 2011)
    • Wiza v. SEPTA, 2:12-CV-02748 (E.D. Pa. June 27, 2013)
    • Brownlee v. SEPTA, 200706428 (PHRC – Oct. 26, 2010)
    • Barbee v. SEPTA, 2:04-CV-04063 (E.D. Pa. – Oct. 31, 2006)
  • First Amendment defense dismissals:
    • Lyons v. National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. 007545 (S. Ct., Dist. of Columbia)
    • Askew v. The Trustees of the General Assembly of The Church of The Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith Inc., 3rd Cir., 11-1916 684 F.3d 413
  • Defamation defense dismissal:
    • Peterkin Bell v. Butkovitz, et. al., 160803265 (Phila. CCP - Feb. 21, 2017)
  • In the public interest:
    • In re City of Philadelphia Litigation – Danielle represented plaintiff Ramona Africa after the City of Philadelphia dropped a bomb on the house of a back-to-nature group known as the MOVE organization. This incident resulted in the tragic loss of life and the vast destruction of property. A substantial litigation arose out of this incident, and after a two-month trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Ms. Africa.
    • Tai Kwan Cureton, et al. v. National Collegiate Athletic Association – Danielle represented the plaintiffs in a class action suit brought on behalf of four African-American student athletes asserting a disparate impact claim based on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and certain administrative regulations. The suit sought an injunction to bar the use of Proposition 16’s minimum standardized test score requirement to determine freshmen eligibility to participate in Division I sports at NCAA-member colleges. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania found a disparate impact and ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor. The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ultimately reversed on jurisdictional – not substantive – grounds. The eligibility rule ultimately was changed by the NCAA, and that change was consistent with plaintiffs’ proffered alternative.
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Credentials

Bar Admissions
  • Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Education
  • J.D., Temple University Beasley School of Law
  • B.A., cum laude, Temple University
Memberships

  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Board Member, Philadelphia Diversity Law Group, Former Co-President, 2010 – 2012
  • Barristers' Association of Philadelphia
  • Diversity Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Former Special Advisor, American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary Committee, 2021 - 2022
  • Former Chair, Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 2011 – 2012
  • Former Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association Federal Courts Committee
  • Former Member, Executive Committee, Temple Law Alumni Association
  • Former Ex-officio Member, Philadelphia Bar Association Diversity in the Profession Committee
  • Fellow, The Litigation Counsel of America
  • Former Co-Chair, Women in the Profession Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Former Member, Board of Governors, Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, SeniorLAW Center Pennsylvania Bar Association 
  • Immediate Past Chair, Stradley Ronon Diversity Committee
  • National Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates
  • Former President, Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • The National Black Lawyers Top 100
  • Stradley Ronon Diversity Committee
  • Philadelphia Bar Association Diversity Advisory Panel
  • Member, The Forum of Executive Women

Publications

News

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Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, “Temple Law Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony Posthumously Honoring Temple University President JoAnne A. Epps,” Temple University Beasley School of Law

  • Panelist, “Understanding Legal Risks While Staying True to Your DEI Strategy,” Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
  • Moderator, “Breaking Down Barriers to Access & Progress,” Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Panelist, “Black Lawyers Matter: Celebrating JoAnne Epps’ Legacy, Impact and Vision,” Temple University Beasley School of Law
  • Co-moderator, "Women in Leadership in the Legal Profession," Pennsylvania Bar Institute
  • Moderator, “Reimagining DEI: Finding New Pathways in the Wake of the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision,” Philadelphia Bar Association and The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia
  • Moderator, “Summer Quarterly Meeting: Celebration of Inspirational Trailblazers,” Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Panelist, “The C.R.O.W.N. Act: Understanding Hair Discrimination, Current Laws and Policies,” Stradley Ronon CLE
  • Panelist, “Implicit Bias - The Silent Interrupter: Tips For Recognizing and Rooting Out Implicit Bias,” Association of Corporate Counsel Women-In-The-House and Information Governance Networks
  • Panelist, “From Recruitment to Retention: Attracting and Keeping Diverse Talent,” Women in Law Summit Series, Driving Diversity in Law & Leadership
  • Panelist, “Cultivating Male Allies & Change Agents,” Women in Law Summit Series
  • Panelist, “History of Black Lawyers in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania,” Tucker Law Group CLE: Standing on the Shoulders: The Black Philadelphia Lawyer
  • Speaker, “First Amendment Developments and Signs for the Future,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute 10th Constitutional Law Conclave
  • Speaker, “Navigating Legal Minefields in Day-to-Day Church Operations,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute
  • Panelist, Pennsylvania Bar Association's Fifth Annual Diversity Summit
  • Speaker, “The Masters on Depositions, Demonstrations and Tactics from America’s Leading Trial Lawyers,” ABA Litigation Section
  • Panelist, “Title IX in the Year 2000,” Black Women in Sports Foundation
  • Speaker, “Public Interest Scholars Program,” Temple University Beasley School of Law, ACLU Foundation of Pennsylvania
  • Participant, Mock Interview Program, Temple University Beasley School of Law
  • Judge, Moot Court Honor Society, Temple University Beasley School of Law
  • Speaker, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation Annual Meeting
  • Speaker, “Nuts and Bolts Career Fair,” Temple University Beasley School of Law
  • Competition Judge, National Appellate Advocacy, Northeast Region, American Bar Association
  • Member, Reception Committee “Celebrating More than a Century of Women Lawyers in Philadelphia,” Philadelphia Bar Association, Committee on Women in the Profession
  • Speaker, “Propositions 48 and 16: The NCAA Scholar Athlete,” National Bar Association/Women Lawyers Division, Philadelphia Chapter
  • Speaker, Panel Discussion, “Realizing Diversity: Strategies to Improve Minority Attorney Hiring and Retention,” Philadelphia Bar Association, Minorities in the Profession Committee
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Recognitions

  • Philadelphia Bar Association, 2024 Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Award
  • The Legal Intelligencer, Power Players
  • Suburban Life Magazine, "Top Attorney"
  • Suburban Life Magazine, "Five-star Attorney"
  • Lawyers of Color Nation's Best
  • Philadelphia Business Journal, “Women of Distinction”
  • Philadelphia Business Journal, “Best of the Bar: Philadelphia's Top Lawyers”
  • The National Black Lawyers Top 100
  • Fellow, The Litigation Counsel of America
  • The Legal Intelligencer, “Diverse Attorney of the Year”
  • Barristers' Association of Philadelphia “J. Austin Norris Award”
  • National Diversity Council “Most Powerful & Influential Women Award”
  • Rutgers School of Law - Camden Black Law Students Association “Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Champion of Social Justice and Equality Award”
  • Temple University Beasley School of Law Black Law Students Association “Cecil B. Moore Award”
  • Temple University Beasley School of Law “Distinguished Alumni Award”
  • The Legal Intelligencer, “50 On The Fast Track”
  • The Best Lawyers in America
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Philadelphia Area Litigation – Labor & Employment “Lawyer of the Year” 
  • Albert S. Dandridge III Diversity Award, 2020 
  • Savoy Magazine, "Most Influential Black Lawyers"

 

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