A co-founder of Dalton & Tomich, PLC, Dan Dalton has a national reputation as a tenacious and strategic litigator representing clients in the areas of land use and zoning litigation. He has a special focus on religious denominational splits and property disputes, representing religious institutions in cases related to the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), as well as local churches seeking to separate from their mainline denominations while retaining their property using denominational trust clauses. He is the author of” Litigating Religious Land Use Cases.”
A member of the Michigan Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, and the American Bar Foundation, Dalton is a multiple Leading Lawyer, Michigan Super Lawyer and DBusiness magazine Top Lawyer honoree, recognized in the areas of zoning and land use. In 2010, he was named to Leaders in the Law by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He is regularly sought out by the media for stories on his high profile cases.
Dalton holds an undergrad degree from Western Michigan University; and JD from Detroit Mercy Law, where he is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board of Directors,. After graduation from law school, he was a clerk for Chief Justice Dorothy Comstock-Riley of the Michigan Supreme Court.
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
What would surprise people about your job? That there is a practice area devoted to religious property – land use and zoning for religious entities and attorneys who assist local churches leave their denominations and keep their property.
Why did you become a lawyer? I enjoy problem solving and learning about new matters. I also enjoy learning about world religions and how interrelated they are to the law.
What’s your favorite law-related TV show, movie, and/or book? TV show:?The West Wing; movie: “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and book: anything by John Grisham.
Who is your law role model? Randall Pentiuk, Pentiuk, Couvreur & Kobiljak, P.C., Wyandotte, City Attorney of Riverview and a mentor most of my career. He acts with integrity, provides sound advice and is truly a great person.
Who would you trade places with for a day? (Author) Malcolm Gladwell. He seems to be able to ask the best questions and get the best answers.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Find friends to study with your first year, while going through the grind. Do the best you can your 1L year--the grades set you up for law review, moot court and on campus interviews.
What are your proudest moments as a lawyer? Starting a firm with Zana Tomich, a remarkable lawyer, business mind and wonderful person; and winning a religious land use case at trial against the City of San Diego on behalf of a private religious high school.
What do you do to relax? Read, and spend time with my family.
What other career path might you have chosen? Pastor or religious leader
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? You are going to make it – keep working hard.
Favorite websites: ESPN, The Dispatch, Religion Clause
Favorite app: Twitter
Favorite music: Smooth Jazz
What is your happiest childhood memory? Playing endless games of baseball.
What is your most treasured material possession? Cufflinks my father gave me.
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