dan@bbr.law
office: 661.864.7827
fax: 661.878.9797
Bar Admissions
State Bar of California
Eastern District of California
Education
Bachelor of Science, Administration of Justice, San Jose State University, 1998
Juris Doctor, University of San Francisco, 2001
Dan N. Raytis
Dan came to Belden Blaine Raytis, LLP after more than fifteen years at a distinguished public agency and water law firm and the Kern County Water Agency where he served as the Assistant General Counsel. Dan’s experience during that time was focused on providing general counsel, real property, water law and complex litigation services to various clients, including public agencies (primarily water districts), mutual water companies, and private entities.
Dan has led all areas of litigation, including strategy development, fact investigation, taking and defending depositions, discovery and motion practice, preparing and developing expert witnesses, and drafting appellate briefs. As an example, Dan was the lead attorney in complex CEQA litigation challenging the certification by the State of California of an Environmental Impact Report for the largest water banking project in the world. Dan’s clients’ success in that case was reported on several news outlets, including the Bakersfield Californian, Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press.
Outside of litigation and General Counsel services, Dan’s practice is heavily focused on real property and water law. In this capacity, Dan has facilitated multi-million dollar real property transactions, from negotiations to due diligence to closing. Dan has handled numerous acquisitions, lease transactions, and easement disputes, as well as other complex matters involving conservation easements and lease-back arrangements.
Dan is one of the few attorneys in Kern County that specializes in water law. Dan has extensive knowledge and experience in all areas of water law, including ground and surface water rights, reporting and measuring requirements, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and the like. Dan’s clients’ water transactions have involved water from various sources, including State Water Project, Central Valley Project, the Kern River and groundwater supplies. Dan's clients also include water districts and water management companies that are establishing the principles of implementation and operation for the first groundwater markets in Kern County.
Dan began his career in San Francisco, working at one of this country’s preeminent law firms (Shook, Hardy & Bacon) representing international tobacco and automotive companies. At Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Dan served on trial teams with some of the most celebrated litigators in the country.
Dan is the proud father of three daughters, Madeline, Lillian and Evelyn, and the proud husband of Katy, his life and business partner.
Practice Focus
Public Agency, Water, CEQA, Real Property & Litigation
Community Involvement
Kern County Library Foundation, President
Kern Community Foundation, Scholarship Evaluator
Mock Trial Coach, Garces Memorial High School
Youth Sports Coach (Volleyball, Lacrosse, Soccer and Basketball)
Eucharistic Minister, St. Francis of Assisi Church
Altar Server Director, St. Francis of Assisi Church
St. Francis School Foundation, Director
St. Vincent de Paul Society of Bakersfield, Director
Publications & Published Decisions
Indest v. Freeman Decorating, Inc.; Dealing with Vicarious Liability for Sexual Harassment by a Supervisor, 35 U.S.F. L.Rev. 623 (Spring 2001)
North Kern Water Storage District v. Kern Delta Water District, 147 Cal. App. 4th 555 (2007)
Professional Experience
Belden Blaine Raytis, LLP, 2018-present
McMurtrey, Hartsock & Worth, Partner, 2010-2018
Kern County Water Agency, Assistant General Counsel, 2006-2010
McMurtrey, Hartsock & Worth, Associate, 2003-2006
Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Associate, 2001-2003
