Entrusted with leading some of the most notable and complex litigation cases in the Greater Philadelphia area, Danielle Banks devotes a significant amount of her practice to defending businesses, universities and governmental entities against discrimination claims brought under Title VII, Section 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
In step with her practice, Danielle leverages her knowledge of the employment law landscape to drive diversity initiatives and principles within the legal profession and the wider community at large.
Danielle defends governmental entities against Section 1983 claims. She also represents businesses in housing and mortgage discrimination cases, advises defendants in asbestos litigation, and handles matters on behalf of religious organizations.
A seasoned trial lawyer, Danielle successfully litigates matters to victory through summary judgment or trial — and appeal when necessary. Danielle’s practice is centered primarily in federal court, though she takes matters to trial in state court as well. She has handled appellate oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the Pennsylvania Superior Court and the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.
As a sought-out diversity leader in the legal industry, Danielle has been honored for her countless contributions, including with the 2024 Philadelphia Bar Association Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Award for her career-long dedication to advancing women and diverse lawyers. Danielle is a former diversity chair for the Philadelphia Bar Association and a current member of the board of directors for the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group, an organization that works to improve the recruitment and retention of diverse lawyers.
Featured Representative Matters
Employment Defense Summary Judgment Victories
Fulton-Walker v. SEPTA, EDPA, No. 22-224
Jackson v. Temple University, EDPA, No. 20-1421-KSM
Jackson v. SEPTA, EDPA, No. 19-cv-0760-JMY
Branch v. Temple University, EDPA, 20-cv-2323-CFK
Gardner v. SEPTA, 824 Fed. Appx. 100 (3d Cir. 2020)
Dudhi v. Temple Health Oaks Lung Center, 834 Fed. Appx. 727 (3d Cir. 2020)
Darby v. Temple University, 2018 WL 3862087 (E.D. Pa. Aug. 14, 2018)
Dowdell v. Community College of Philadelphia, 2017 WL 2506444;725 Fed. Appx. 198 (3d Cir. 2018)
Clarkson v. SEPTA, 700 Fed. Appx. 111 (3d Cir. 2017)
Frederick v. Barbush, 2015 WL 4393339 (M.D. Pa. July 15, 2015)
Jones v. SEPTA, 2014 WL 3887747, 796 F.3d 323 (3d Cir. 2015)
Toland v. SEPTA, 2:12-CV-02480 (E.D. Pa. Jan. 16, 2014)
Hamilton v. SEPTA, 2014 WL 2862146 (E.D. Pa. June 24, 2014)
Lyles v. SEPTA, 2:10-CV-04424 (E.D. Pa. July 9, 2012)
Grier v. SEPTA, 2:11-CV-05891 (E.D. Pa. Sept. 16, 2011)
Parmar v. SEPTA, 2:11-CV-03022 (E.D. Pa. May 9, 2011)
Employment Defense Public Hearing/Trial Victories
Schurgot v. SEPTA, 2017 WL 3226859 (E.D. Pa Sept. 28, 2018)
Griggs v. SEPTA, 2:14-CV-06226 (E.D. Pa. Dec. 8, 2016)
Cabiness v. SEPTA, 14-CV-1371 (E.D. Pa. – June 29, 2015)
Patterson v. Shelton, 95072945 (Phila. CCP – Nov. 7, 2011)
Wiza v. SEPTA, 2:12-CV-02748 (E.D. Pa. June 27, 2013)
Brownlee v. SEPTA, 200706428 (PHRC – Oct. 26, 2010)
Barbee v. SEPTA, 2:04-CV-04063 (E.D. Pa. – Oct. 31, 2006)
First Amendment Defense Dismissals
Lyons v. National Baptist ConventionUSA, 007545 (S. Ct., Dist. of Columbia)
Askew v. The Trustees of the General Assembly of The Church of The Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, 3rd Cir., 11-1916 684 F.3d 413
Defamation Defense Dismissal
Bell v. Butkovitz, 160803265 (Phila. CCP)
In the Public Interest
In re City of Philadelphia Litigation: Danielle represented plaintiff Ramona Africa after the City of Philadelphia dropped a bomb on the house of a back-to-nature group known as the MOVE organization. This incident resulted in the tragic loss of life and the vast destruction of property. A substantial litigation arose out of this incident, and after a two-month trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Africa.
Cureton v. National Collegiate Athletic Association: Danielle represented the plaintiffs in a class action suit brought on behalf of four Black student-athletes asserting a disparate impact claim based on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and certain administrative regulations. The suit sought an injunction to bar the use of Proposition 16’s minimum standardized test score requirement to determine freshmen eligibility to participate in Division I sports at NCAA-member colleges. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania found a disparate impact and ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ultimately reversed on jurisdictional — not substantive — grounds. The eligibility rule ultimately was changed by the NCAA, and that change was consistent with the plaintiffs’ proffered alternative.
Community Impact
Widely respected throughout the legal community, Danielle spends much of her time on diversity efforts and is dedicated to the advancement of women as both a personal and professional commitment. She is committed to strengthening the next generation of women and diverse legal talent through mentorship and acting as a sounding board and tireless advocate.
In addition to her roles with the PDLG and Philadelphia Bar Association, she is the immediate past chair of Stradley Ronon’s inclusion committee and served on the firm’s hiring committee for a two-year term. Danielle is also a frequent speaker and thought leader in the diversity space, discussing important and timely topics on race, gender and inclusion.
Memberships
Member, American Bar Association Litigation Section
Member, Board of Directors (and Former Co-President), Philadelphia Diversity Law Group
Member, Barristers' Association of Philadelphia
Member, National Bar Association
Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association House of Delegates
Member and Past Chair, Stradley Ronon Inclusion Committee
Former Diversity Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association
Former Special Advisor, American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary Committee
Former Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association’s Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award Committee
Former Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association Federal Courts Committee
Former Member, Executive Committee, Temple Law Alumni Association
Former Ex-Officio Member, Philadelphia Bar Association Diversity in the Profession Committee
Former Co-Chair, Philadelphia Bar Association’s Women in the Profession Committee
Former Member, Board of Governors, Philadelphia Bar Association
Former Member, Board of Directors, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia
Former Member, Board of Directors, SeniorLAW Center
Member, Philadelphia Bar Association Diversity Advisory Panel
Member, The Forum of Executive Women
Recognitions
Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
The Best Lawyers in America (Philadelphia: Litigation - Labor and Employment) (2018-26)
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (Employment & Labor) (2024-26)
The Best Lawyers in America (Lawyer of the Year: Philadelphia: Litigation - Labor and Employment) (2022)
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Award, Philadelphia Bar Association (2024)
Professional Excellence Awards: Power Player, The Legal Intelligencer (2022)
Most Influential Black Lawyers, Savoy Magazine (2022)
Best of the Bar: Philadelphia's Top Lawyers: Employment Litigation, Philadelphia Business Journal (2017, 2020)
Albert S. Dandridge III Diversity Award, Philadelphia Bar Association’s Business Law Section (2019)
Nation's Best, Lawyers of Color (2019)
Women of Distinction, Philadelphia Business Journal (2017)
Diverse Attorney of the Year, The Legal Intelligencer (2013)
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Champion of Social Justice and Equality Award, Rutgers School of Law–Camden’s Black Law Students Association (2013)
J. Austin Norris Award, Barristers' Association of Philadelphia (2012)
Cecil B. Moore Community Service Award, Temple University Beasley School of Law’s Black Law Students Association (2007)
Distinguished Alumni Award, Temple Law Alumni Association (2005)
Most Powerful and Influential Women Award, National Diversity Council
The National Black Lawyers Top 100
Featured Speaking Engagements
Panelist, “Temple Law Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony Posthumously Honoring Temple University President JoAnne A. Epps,” Temple University Beasley School of Law
Panelist, “Understanding Legal Risks While Staying True to Your DEI Strategy,” Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
Moderator, “Breaking Down Barriers to Access & Progress,” Philadelphia Bar Association
Panelist, “Black Lawyers Matter: Celebrating JoAnne Epps’ Legacy, Impact and Vision,” Temple University Beasley School of Law
Co-Moderator, "Women in Leadership in the Legal Profession," Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Moderator, “Reimagining DEI: Finding New Pathways in the Wake of the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision,” Philadelphia Bar Association and Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia
Moderator, “Summer Quarterly Meeting: Celebration of Inspirational Trailblazers,” Philadelphia Bar Association
Panelist, “The C.R.O.W.N. Act: Understanding Hair Discrimination, Current Laws and Policies,” Stradley Ronon CLE
Panelist, “Implicit Bias — The Silent Interrupter: Tips for Recognizing and Rooting Out Implicit Bias,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Women In The House and Information Governance Networks
Panelist, “From Recruitment to Retention: Attracting and Keeping Diverse Talent,” Women in Law Summit Series, Driving Diversity in Law & Leadership
Panelist, “Cultivating Male Allies & Change Agents,” Women in Law Summit Series
Panelist, “History of Black Lawyers in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania,” Tucker Law Group CLE: Standing on the Shoulders: The Black Philadelphia Lawyer
Speaker, “First Amendment Developments and Signs for the Future,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute 10th Constitutional Law Conclave
Speaker, “Navigating Legal Minefields in Day-to-Day Church Operations,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Panelist, Pennsylvania Bar Association's Fifth Annual Diversity Summit
