Mike Danko graduated from Dartmouth College, magna cum laude, and then earned his law degree at the University of Virginia School of Law.  He began his legal career working for an internationally known Wall Street law firm, representing the nation’s leading financial institutions in high-stakes business litigation.

Finding this aspect of the law to be more lucrative than it was fulfilling, Mike joined the plaintiffs’ firm of O’Reilly & Danko and has spent the last 14 years representing people who have suffered catastrophic injuries, and the families of those who have been killed, due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party.  He has earned millions of dollars in settlements, and in judge and jury awards for his clients that have helped pay for ongoing medical treatment and care for injured victims, and compensated families for the loss of a loved one.

In 2009, Mike was honored with a Trial Lawyer of the Year nomination from his state's trial lawyers association, the Consumer Attorneys of California.  Mike was named a Northern California Super Lawyer for 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004.  His is a Lawdragon 500 finalist.  He is a member of the American Association for Justice, the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association and the Consumer Attorneys of California, where he serves on on the board of governors.

As a spokesman for his clients and to prevent other injuries and deaths--from such causes as candy that chokes children, or old tires subject to sudden detreading--Mike has appeared on numerous local and national radio and television shows, and has been interviewed by USA Today, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Bloomberg News, and many other national and local media venues.

Mike Danko is also an experienced pilot who has logged more than 2500 hours in flight over a period of 30 years.  He owns and operates a number of different aircraft including a helicopter, and therefore has a unique, in-depth, personal knowledge of aviation from the pilot’s point of view.