DANIEL M. BLAU
APPELLATE LAW SPECIALIST
Daniel Blau is a dedicated criminal appeals and post-conviction attorney based in Raleigh, North Carolina. With a deep commitment to constitutional advocacy, Dan has successfully represented clients before North Carolina’s state and federal appellate courts, securing reversals and remands in complex felony cases. As a Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice, he brings extensive knowledge and experience to each case, ensuring clients receive comprehensive and strategic representation.
Dan has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in both the Criminal Defense: General Practice and Appellate Practice sections since 2021 and was selected to Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite in 2025 for his appellate work. His career began with a judicial clerkship under The Honorable Linda M. McGee, Chief Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, setting the foundation for his focus on appellate and post-conviction litigation.
Beyond his legal practice, Dan is an active member of the legal community, having served on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section Council, as well as holding leadership roles with the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina. He frequently lectures and publishes on legal ethics and appellate issues.
A Raleigh native, Dan earned his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he served as Executive Editor of the First Amendment Law Review. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, with a minor in political science and a certificate in health policy. Dan is admitted to practice in all North Carolina state courts, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina.
DAN'S HONORS
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 - 2017
- Board of Directors, 2008 - 2014; Board Vice-President, 2012 - 2013
Clerkships
- The Honorable Linda M. McGee, North Carolina Court of Appeals, August 2007 - August 2008
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 Recognition:
- Best Lawyers in America
- Criminal Defense: General Practice Section, since 2021
- Appellate Practice Section, since 2021
- AV Preeminent Peer Rated Lawyer, Martindale-Hubbell
- Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Appellate Section, 2025
- North Carolina Super Lawyers, 2026
Professional Associations:
- North Carolina State Bar, 2007 - Present
- North Carolina Tenth Judicial District Bar, 2007 - Present
- North Carolina Bar Association, 2007 - Present
- Constitutional Rights & Responsibilities Section Council, 2009 - 2015.
- Section Council Chair, 2013 - 2014; Vice-Chair, 2012 - 2013.
- Criminal Justice Section, since 2007
- Appellate Section, since 2020
Certifications
- Board Certified Specialist in Appellate Practice, The North Carolina Bar Board of Legal Specialization, since 2020
- North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization, Appellate Specialization Committee, 2025 to present
Experience:
Daniel M. Blau, Attorney at Law, P.C., Raleigh
- President, August 2018 - December 2024
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.
- Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers, "Ten Things You Can Do at Trial to Help Your Client Win Their Appeals," May 2023.
