Daniel Blau is a Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practrice. He is a constitutional advocate and criminal defense attorney who focuses on criminal appeals and trial defense in serious felony cases. Dan began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable Linda M. McGee, the Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Since beginning work in private practice in 2008, he has skillfully argued cases on behalf of clients before North Carolina's state and federal appellate courts and has a proven record of success in securing reversals of serious criminal convictions. An experienced, innovative, and hard-working defense lawyer, Dan has represented more than a thousand clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges, DWIs, and traffic matters in North Carolina.
DANIEL M. BLAU
RELENTLESS CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Dan's advocacy for his clients extends beyond the courtroom. Dan has been a member of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina since 2005, during which time he served on the organization's Board of Directors for six years, and also served as Vice-President of the Board. Dan is a career-long member of the North Carolina Bar Association, where he enjoys membership in the Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section, the Criminal Law Section, and the Appellate Law Section. Dan served on the section council of the Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section for a number of years and as a term as Council President. He has written and presented extensively on issues of legal ethics for defense lawyers. He is an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell.
Dan was born in Raleigh and was raised in Chapel Hill. He holds an undergraduate degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, minoring in Political Science and certified in Health Policy. Dan attended law school at the University of North Carolina where he graduated with honors in 2007. While in law school, Dan served as the Executive Editor of the First Amendment Law Review, worked as a legislative clerk for the ACLU of North Carolina, and completed an internship at the University of North Carolina School of Government.
Dan is admitted to practice in all North Carolina state courts, the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
919-256-3606
Daniel Blau is a Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice. He is a constitutional advocate and criminal defense attorney who focuses on criminal appeals and trial defense in serious felony cases. Dan began his career as a law clerk for the Honorable Linda M. McGee, the Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Since beginning work in private practice in 2008, he has skillfully argued cases on behalf of clients before North Carolina's state and federal appellate courts and has a proven record of success in securing reversals of serious criminal convictions. An experienced, innovative, and hard-working defense lawyer, Dan has represented more than a thousand clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges, DWIs, and traffic matters in North Carolina.
DANIEL M. BLAU
Dan's advocacy for his clients extends beyond the courtroom. Dan has been a member of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina since 2005, during which time he served on the organization's Board of Directors for six years, and also served as Vice-President of the Board. Dan is a career-long member of the North Carolina Bar Association, where he enjoys membership in the Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section, the Criminal Law Section, and the Appellate Law Section. Dan served on the section council of the Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section for a number of years and as a term as Council President. He has written and presented extensively on issues of legal ethics for defense lawyers. He is an AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale Hubbell.
Dan was born in Raleigh and was raised in Chapel Hill. He holds an undergraduate degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, minoring in Political Science and certified in Health Policy. Dan attended law school at the University of North Carolina where he graduated with honors in 2007. While in law school, Dan served as the Executive Editor of the First Amendment Law Review, worked as a legislative clerk for the ACLU of North Carolina, and completed an internship at the University of North Carolina School of Government.
Dan is admitted to practice in all North Carolina state courts, the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
919-256-3606
What Our Clients Say
After much searching online and multiple consultations face-to-face, I decided to hire Dan Blau as my attorney. Dan's commitment to providing informative, well-thought outlegal counsel; consistent communication and patience in answering any and all questions I had along the way; and effectiveness in generating the best possible outcome for my case are truly appreciated.
From Avvo by Will, July 2017
Top Quality Service and Best Results Possible
Dan has been always responsive and gave me real information on my case & did the needful to get the positive outcome.I would certainly recommend Dan.
From Avvo - Anonymous, June 2013
Responsive
Dan Blau is a wonderful attorney. He was on our side from the beginning. He continually kept us informed. He did such a great job fighting for my Uncle's freedom. HE WON OUR APPEAL and helped reduce my uncle's sentence from 30 years to max 5 years. I highly recommend him.
From Avvo by Renee, June 2013
WE WON OUR APPEAL THANKS TO DAN BLAU
My wife received a citation in an accident, and Dan took care of everything, getting the ticket dismissed. I've referred several friends and clients of mine to him and have always gotten great feedback from them.
From Avvo by Steve, October 2013
Great Job Handling Ticket
Dan went above and beyond handling my case: Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury. He kept me informed every step of the way, got me in contact with a private investigator and even had the news groups remove my address from their websites. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, my case was dismissed!
From Avvo - Anonymous, June 2013
Dismissed!!!
I hired Dan Blau after I lost my case in the Supreme Court of North Carolina. He explained that we had a chance to win my case on a motion for appropriate relief. They are generally difficult to win but he was able to get all of my convictions overturned and dismissed. He was always great about keeping me updated and informed. I highly recommend him!
From Avvo by Anna 4/2018
Charges Dismissed!
THOUSANDS OF CASES | DOZENS OF APPEALS | QUALIFIED SUCCESS
Order Vacated
State v. M.M., 209 N.C. App. 466 (2011) Client was ordered to enroll in lifetime satellite-based monitoring. RESULT ON APPEAL: Order vacated due to lack of jurisdiction.
Convictions Reversed
State v. L.P., 2011 N.C. App. LEXIS 1535 (2011): Client was convicted of misdemeanor larceny and sentenced to probation. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions reversed due to lack of evidence.
New Hearing Ordered
State v. A.N., 778 S.E.2d 863 (2015) Client pled guilty to robbery and was placed into deportation proceedings as a result of his convictions. RESULT ON APPEAL: New hearing ordered due to former attorney misadvising client about the consequences of his guilty plea.
New Trial Granted
State v. S.C., 802 S.E.2d 531 (2017) Client was convicted of felony assault and was sentenced to 65-90 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to violation of client’s constitutional rights at trial. (Appeal remains pending.)
Convictions Reversed
State v. G.B., 217 N.C. App. 380 (2011) Client was convicted of forgery and habitual felon and was sentenced to 70-93 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions reversed due to lack of evidence.
New Trial Granted
State v. T.L., 217 N.C. App. 455 (2011) Client was convicted of robbery and kidnapping and was sentenced to 71-104 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to judge refusing to admit important defense evidence at trial.
Convictions Vacated
State v. J.D., 2017 N.C. App. LEXIS 327 (2017) Client was convicted of marijuana charge and habitual felon and was sentenced to 76-116 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: Convictions vacated due to defective search warrant.
New Trial Granted
State v. S.R., 223 N.C. App. 325 (2012): Client was convicted of sex offenses and was sentenced to 307-378 months in prison. RESULT ON APPEAL: New trial granted due to judge allowing improper expert testimony at trial.
Convictions Vacated
State v. A.H. (2018) Client was convicted of multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of possessing weapons on educational property. RESULT ON POST-CONVICTION: All convictions vacated after statutes were ruled to be unconstitutional.
Conviction Vacated
State v. K.P. (2018) Client was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. RESULT ON POST-CONVICTION: Conviction vacated due to ineffective assistance of counsel; client released with time served.
Please note that these are examples of prior cases in which we have obtained a positive result for our client. Every case is different, and we cannot guarantee a specific result in your case.
Credentials
Education
University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, N.C.
- Juris Doctor with Honors 2007
- First Amendment Law Review, Executive Editor, Fall 2006 - Spring 2007
- Judge Naomi Morris Memorial Scholar
- Nancy K. Rhoden Scholar
Duke University, Durham, N.C.
- Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies awarded May 2003
- Minor in Political Science
- Certificate in Health Policy
Scholarly Professional Pursuits
- University of North Carolina School of Government, Chapel Hill, Law Clerk, Summer 2006
- American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, Raleigh, Legislative Clerk, Summer 2005
Publications:
- Holy Scriptures and Unholy Strictures: Why the Enforcement of a Religious Orthodoxy in North Carolina Demands a More Refined Establishment Clause Analysis of Courtroom Oaths, 4 First Amend. L. Rev. 223 (2006).
- Juvenile Curfews: Constitutional Concerns and Recommended Remedies, Popular Government, June 2007.
Community Engagement:
- American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, Member 2005 - Present
- Board of Directors, 2008 - 2014; Board Vice-President, 2012 - 2013
Admissions:
- North Carolina Bar, 2007
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, October 2009
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, September 2009
- United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, August 2016
- United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, August 2018
Professional Associations:
- North Carolina State Bar, 2007 - Present
- North Carolina Tenth Judicial District Bar, 2007 - Present
- Wake County Bar Association
- North Carolina Bar Association, 2007 - Present
- Constitutional Rights & Responsibilities Section Council, 2009 - 2015.
- Section Council Chair, 2013 - 2014; Vice-Chair, 2012 - 2013.
Professional Recognition
Certifications
- Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice, The North Carolina Bar Board of Legal Specialization, 2020
Clerkships
- The Honorable Linda M. McGee, North Carolina Court of Appeals, August 2007 - August 2008
Experience:
Daniel M. Blau, Attorney at Law, P.C., Raleigh
- President, August 2018 - Present
Hale & Blau Attorneys at Law, P.C., Raleigh
- Partner, January 2016 - August 2018
- Associate, August 2008 - January 2016
Presentations:
- Social Networking as an Investigative Tool, published paper and accompanying lecture on “Ethical Issues in Social-Media Investigations,” presented at:
- N.C. Bar Association, “Bytes, Blood & Privacy: Emerging Technologies, Constitutional Rights and the Courts” CLE February 2011.
- N.C. Council of School Attorneys, “Summer Law Conference” CLE, July 2011.
- University of North Carolina School of Government, “2014 Spring Public Defender Conference” CLE, April 2014.
- University of North Carolina School of Government, “2016 Annual Contractors and Assigned Counsel Training” CLE, June 2016.