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.
Danielle’s practice is centered primarily in federal court, though she takes matters to trial in state court as well. She has participated in appellate oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. Danielle is a seasoned trial lawyer who successfully litigates matters to victory through summary judgment or trial, and appeal where necessary.
Danielle is the immediate past chair of the firm’s diversity committee and served on Stradley Ronon’s hiring committee for a two-year term. She currently serves as the diversity chair for the Philadelphia Bar Association, and previously served as chair of the Federal Courts Committee and the Board of Governors. She also has served as chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award Committee (2011-2012) and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s House of Delegates. In addition, Danielle has served on several nonprofit boards, including serving as president of the board of directors of Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, and serving on the board of directors of the Senior Law Center. Danielle also served as co-president of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group and is currently a member of the board of directors.