Daniel C. Masakayan

Daniel Masakayan advises businesses, public and private K-12 schools, and higher education institutions on employment matters. He helps clients navigate a wide range of employment and regulatory compliance issues, including claims under Title VII, Title IX, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). 

Daniel counsels employers through complex employment-related issues involving high-profile terminations and sensitive negotiations. He also represents clients before administrative bodies — such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Department of Education — and in federal and state courts.

Daniel also maintains an active internal investigations practice with a focus on helping employers navigate the complexities of time-sensitive and high-stakes workplace investigations.

Daniel has been recognized for his work in education law and is listed among the Best Lawyers® – "Ones to Watch" (2026) and as a Super Lawyers Virginia Rising Star (2024-2025).

In addition to his practice, Daniel maintains an active and diverse pro bono docket. He was named to the Virginia Access to Justice Commission’s Pro Bono Service Honor Roll (2022). He also mentored law students with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) to promote inclusiveness in the profession.

In the community, Daniel serves as an elected co-chair for the Labor & Employment section of the Fairfax Bar Association. He also serves as a board member to the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Virginia.

Prior to joining Willliams Mullen, Daniel practiced at an AmLaw 100 national law firm, focusing on employment counseling, investigations and litigation. He also served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Gerald Bruce Lee (Ret.) of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Daniel earned his Juris Doctor degree from George Mason University - Antonin Scalia Law School where he was a member of the George Mason Law Review and Moot Court team. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia.