Daniela Gonzales Aldape

Member


To describe Daniela Gonzales Aldape as a multitasker would grossly undervalue her talents. When original equipment manufacturers and suppliers become targets of high-stakes, highly publicized cases, Daniela is the go-to lawyer to ensure complex dockets are meticulously managed.

Defending products liability litigation—particularly catastrophic injury and death claims involving automobiles, motorcycles, and utility terrain vehicles—involves legal and technical knowledge, constant communication, and coordination with clients and experts.

Exceptional organization skills are necessary whether the case is an individual lawsuit, a collective or class action, or multidistrict litigation. Daniela is a unique combination of commercial litigator, forensic investigator, air-traffic controller, and symphony conductor.

Based in San Antonio, Daniela oversees multilayered workflows, especially during the critical discovery phases of litigation. She immerses herself in the technical aspects of every case to examine engineering analyses, engage with authoritative experts, evaluate medical opinions and help develop strategies to mitigate the client’s exposure. Daniela often enters a matter specifically to coordinate and direct trial preparation and trial presentation.

Licensed in Colorado, Texas, and her home state of New Mexico (she’s from the northern part of the state), Daniela has tried cases in all three jurisdictions. She now lives in San Antonio, which is an ideal base to handle cases in defendant-unfriendly South Texas. Her established relationships with the local plaintiffs’ bar also provide opportunities to keep clients out of unnecessary and costly discovery battles.

Daniela appreciates Dykema’s strong commitment to diversity and inclusivity, both as an essential element in shaping the firm’s culture and professional environment and as a reflection of its clients.

A mother of three tween and teen children, Daniela strives to raise her kids to be global citizens and socially aware, independent thinkers. Together, the family travels the world and seeks out local experiences, food, and people everywhere they visit. Daniela kicked off that travel spirit with a South American backpacking trip she chose to take over attending her law school graduation.

Fostering relationships with clients, experts, courts, co-counsel, and even opposing counsel can be as critical to a successful outcome as managing discovery and an effective trial strategy. It’s a significant part of what I do. It takes years to build foundations of mutual respect, but it is always time well spent.
    • University of New Mexico School of Law, J.D.
    • New Mexico Highlands University, B.A.
  • Bar Admissions

    • Texas, 2002
    • New Mexico, 2006
  • Court Admissions

    • U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
    • U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court of New Mexico
    • U.S. District Court of Colorado
    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2024

    • Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as a Key Lawyer for Automotive Litigation, 2023

    • Recognized in San Antonio Magazine's "Top Attorneys in San Antonio" List, 2022

    • Recognized by S.A. Scene, as an "Outstanding Women in Law" for General Litigation, 2022

    • Recognized by S.A. Scene as a “Top Personal Injury Defense Lawyer,” 2022

    • Recognized by S.A. Scene as a ”Legal Rising Star,” multi-year designation

    • Recognized by Texas Super Lawyers® as a “Rising Star,” multi-year designation

    • Contributing Editor of the ABA Class Action Survey (2012-Present)

    • San Antonio Bar Association
    • Bexar County Women’s Bar Association
    • Mexican American Bar Association of San Antonio
    • American Bar Association

Latest News and Insights

Dykema Drives Auto Webinars10.17.24

Dykema’s 2024 Automotive Trends Webinar Series: Antitrust (Part I) and Risk & Litigation (Part II)

During this webinar we will discuss the impact of AI in antitrust regulation, right to repair…

Read More

Press Releases3.13.24

Dykema Successfully Defends Nissan North America, Inc. in Product Liability Case in Houston

The Dykema team of Michael Carey, Daniela Gonzales Aldape, Clay Cossé, Melanie Fry, and Mickey…

Read More

Press Releases2.21.24

Dykema Case Recognized as One of California’s Top Defense Verdicts for 2023

Dykema, a leading national law firm, is proud to announce that a case that the firm handled as…

Read More