Danielle Rassoul

Associate
901.576.1731

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Danielle Rassoul concentrates her practice in the area of business and commercial litigation, including complex litigation involving matters of employment and labor law, trademark and copyright law, cemetery law, real property and water/riparian law, construction law, contract law, FED (Forcible entry and detainer) actions.

Mrs. Rassoul has worked with both small and large companies within the private as well as public/governmental sectors, and advises employers on issues involving the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Tennessee Human Rights Act and the Tennessee Disability Act, and biometric information privacy policies pertaining to fingerprinting and face ID access required by employees to enter and exit their place of employment and other protected work sites. Her practice extends beyond litigation in that she frequently updates employers on changes to current laws, writes, reviews and updates employment policies, handbooks and contracts, and assists employers with managing various employment decisions. Mrs. Rassoul also has experience resolving disputes to her clients’ benefit through alternative dispute resolution methods, including mediation and arbitration.

Often, the difference between winning and losing a trial, motion, or negotiations comes down to an attorney’s ability to adequately research and analyze the law as applied to the unique facts of each case. Mrs. Rassoul is beyond proficient in legal research, having learned from some of the greatest researchers in the nation during her time at the Pennsylvania State University. She has landed successful outcomes for her clients at every stage of litigation and her expansive network of legal scholars, researchers, and database sources gives her a critical advantage against her adversaries that makes the difference.

Mrs. Rassoul received her J.D. from Pennsylvania State University in 2018. She interned at the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office where she was a member of the Public Corruption and Economic Crimes Unit. There, she focused on tax fraud and embezzlement research as well as immigration law matters, and assisted Memphis Police Department detectives on their investigations. She has been admitted to practice before Tennessee state civil and criminal courts, appellate courts, and the Supreme Court, as well as Federal Courts, including the Western District of Tennessee in Memphis and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Ohio.

COVID-19: WHAT BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an international and domestic economic crisis that is impacting our day-to-day business operations and industries. In response, the US federal government has enacted unprecedented legislation that affects many of us, and our firm is here to help you through these uncertain times.

Three pieces of legislation covering a broad array of issues that may be relevant and important to businesses at this time include assistance on topics such as business loans and grants, unemployment benefits, payroll and taxes, emergency disaster relief, group health insurance and more. The three sets of federal legislation that have been promulgated in response to the current pandemic and resulting economic situation are (1) The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020; (2) The Families First Act; and (3) The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (“CARES Act”).

Questions remain regarding important issues impacting businesses and individuals, and our attorneys stand ready to utilize all of our resources and provide guidance. Our employment and litigation attorney, Danielle Rassoul has monitored and continues to monitor the rapidly changing landscape of these new laws and regulations to assist you during this uncertain time.

EDUCATION

Pennsylvania State University, J.D., 2018
Rhodes College, B.S., 2014

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

Tennessee
Tennessee Supreme Court
United States District Court, Western District of Tennessee
United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
United States Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit

HONORS/AWARDS

Best of the Bar 2021
Mid-South SuperLawyers
Member, Leo Bearman, Sr. American Inns of Court
Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Inns of Court
2023 Attorney for Justice, Tennessee Supreme Court & Access to Justice Commission

PROFESSIONAL/CIVIC/CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS

Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association
Volunteer Odyssey, Board of Directors
Volunteer Odyssey, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Sub-Committee
Hutchison School Alumnae Group
Penn State Alumni Group
Collegiate Mock Trial Competitions Volunteer Judge

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Second chair to criminal trial in the Western District of Tennessee defending an alleged drug dealer; 21 codefendants in the case pleaded out;
Second chair to civil trial in Chancery Court and successfully defended client in a breach of contract and unjust enrichment claim;
Handled multiple general sessions trials and appeals involving FEDs, breach of contract cases, and tort actions; Winning record includes a $695,000 judgment for client;
Second chair to a labor and employment jury trial in the Western District of Tennessee, defending the employer against claims of discrimination and retaliation brought against it under the ADA and TDA;
Participated in an arbitration matter representing a client in an employment dispute;
Wrote winning brief in a Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals case regarding an employment matter;
Handled Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals oral argument in Cincinnati, Ohio;
Presented oral argument before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on the issue of “Qualified Immunity;” responsible for each stage of brief-writing process at the trial court level and the appellate court level.
Secured dismissal of Plaintiff’s excessive force claim against client before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, significantly reducing Plaintiff’s damages.

In The News

Featured in Daily Memphian article, “Legal bonanza ahead? Debate centers on COVID-19 lawsuit immunity,” May 2020, https://dailymemphian.com/article/13823/covid-19-coronavirus-lawsuit-immunity

PRESENTATIONS & PUBLISHED ARTICLES

Presenter, Transactional Practice 2020: CARES Act, Overview and History of the Small Business Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) under the CARES Act, Tennessee Bar Association