Law360 profiled McGuireWoods partner Dan Howell in a July 25, 2025, story on his selection as a “Rising Star” in Mergers & Acquisitions.
The story covered Howell’s standout achievements, including his work representing Dominion Energy Inc. in the $14 billion sale of three of its local natural gas distribution companies to Enbridge Inc., North America’s largest natural gas utility by volume. The deal, the largest of Howell’s career, involved the sale of The East Ohio Gas Co., Public Service Co. of North Carolina, and Questar Gas Co. (along with subsidiary Wexpro Co.) through three separate, non-cross-conditioned agreements, each requiring its own closing and regulatory approval.
Howell also represented Apogee Engineering in its acquisition by private equity firm Bernhard Capital Partners. The deal, which closed in 2024, involved guiding a founder-led company through its first major transaction, a challenge Howell found particularly rewarding.
“It taps into a different skill set, I think, as a lawyer, when you’re having to advise someone through something that they’ve never done before, versus advising a large, well-oiled machine,” Howell told Law360.
Beyond high-dollar deals, Howell said he finds deep satisfaction in pro bono work. He applies his corporate law experience to assist nonprofits and foundations with governance, contracts and financial planning.
“You don’t think of M&A as a skill where you’re helping the quote, unquote little guy,” Howell said. “There are opportunities, even as a corporate lawyer, to help those in need with the skills that you have.”
Originally drawn to M&A in law school, Howell said he briefly considered litigation before returning to transactional practice. He appreciates that deal work is collaborative, not adversarial, he said.
“We’re all working toward the same goal while vigorously protecting our clients’ interests, and so the opportunity to do that every day is truly rewarding,” he said.