Dana Svendsen
Dana Svendsen

Dana Svendsen

Senior Counsel

Denver

Introduction

Dana represents clients in matters involving workplace health and safety, regulatory compliance, incident response, workplace investigations, and enforcement defense.

Dana Svendsen advises clients on complex Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) matters. She guides clients through high-stakes safety and enforcement issues with strategic judgment. 

She represents clients across general industry, construction, forestry, energy, oil and gas, and mining in investigations and litigation arising from serious workplace injuries, amputations, and fatalities. Dana has experience handling OSHA and MSHA civil and criminal enforcement actions, as well as whistleblower claims, counseling in sensitive and high-exposure matters. She brings a collaborative perspective to her work, synthesizing complex regulatory and factual landscapes into clear, actionable strategies. She helps clients manage evolving safety requirements while maintaining practical, business-focused solutions.  

In addition to her advisory and litigation practice, Dana conducts compliance trainings and develops handbooks, policies, and employment agreements, equipping organizations with tools to support long-term safety and compliance. 

Before entering legal practice, Dana served as a civil engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This experience grounds her work engineering and operational insight, strengthening her ability to assess risk and address complex workplace safety challenges. 

Education & credentials

  • University of Denver, J.D., 2006
  • University of Nebraska Omaha, B.S., Civil Engineering, 2001
  • Sherman & Howard LLC, Denver, CO, Member, 2018-2021
  • Jackson Kelly, PLLC, Denver, CO, Member, 2015-2018; Associate, 2007-2014
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, NE and Denver, CO, Project Engineer, 2002-2007