

Dale G. Mullen
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Dale G. Mullen
PARTNER; CO-CHAIR OF BUSINESS AND CORPORATE LAW SECTION
RICHMOND
T: 804.799.7854
F: 804.762.6863
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Practice Areas and Regulatory Experience
Mr. Mullen’s practice encompasses federal and state rulemaking, permitting, and enforcement, with a focus on helping clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks. He has extensive experience before agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Department of Transportation (DOT), and numerous state and local regulatory bodies. He regularly counsels clients on compliance and enforcement matters involving public utilities, environmental protection, medical licensure and board certifications, financial regulatory compliance, import-export controls, and professional licensing.
He also advises on innovative technologies and strategies that drive efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance in business operations, including matters related to energy, environmental protection, food, drug and device regulation, financial reporting, mining, transportation, agriculture, and real estate development.
Internal Investigations
Mr. Mullen has significant experience conducting internal investigations for clients facing regulatory scrutiny, government inquiries, or potential compliance violations. His approach emphasizes thorough fact-finding, risk assessment, and the development of practical solutions to address issues and mitigate future exposure.
Leadership and Public Service
Mr. Mullen previously served as Assistant Attorney General and Chief Prosecutor for the Commonwealth of Virginia, Special Assistant United States Attorney, county attorney, and general counsel for an airport. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Virginia Board of Accountancy. His background includes leading regulatory enforcement strategies that resulted in national recognition and significant civil and criminal fraud recoveries.
Recognitions
- Chambers USA, Environment, Virginia (2017-Present)
- The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental (2021-Present), Real Estate Law (2025)
- Virginia Business magazine, Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative "Legal Elite" (2013-2018, 2020-2024)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly, "Leaders in the Law" (2011)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly, “Top Ten Civil Defense Verdicts in Virginia” (2004)
- Joseph W. Gregg Leadership Award, United States Navy (1987)
Memberships & Activities
- Board Member: Virginia Board of Accountancy, 2022-Present
- Board Member: Keep Virginia Beautiful, 2015-Present
- Chair: Virginia State Bar Environmental Law Section, 2017-2018
- Director: James River Water Authority, 2009-2012
- Director: Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development (TJPED), 2009-2012
- President: Hanover County Bar Association, 2008-2009
- Member: Environmental Law Institute (ELI)
- Member: John Marshall American Inns of Court
- Member: Local Government Attorneys of Virginia (LGA)
- Member: Administrative Law, Construction Law, Criminal Law, Environmental, Litigation, and Local Government Law Sections, Virginia State Bar
- Member: Stormwater Management Plan Advisory Group, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), 2013
Water, Wastewater, and Environmental Law
- Led multi-jurisdictional projects involving the design, financing, permitting, and construction of water and wastewater systems, including municipal separate storm water systems (MS4).
- Developed and secured approval for long-range water supply plans, and managed surface and groundwater supply systems to ensure responsible resource development.
- Structured and implemented beneficial reuse programs for economic development, and established Quality Assurance/Quality Control Programs for municipal water and wastewater treatment systems.
- Secured financing for clean water system expansion through state Water Quality Improvement Funds (WQIF).
- Drafted and advanced local legislation for the development and management of public and private water and wastewater systems.
- Represented municipal water and wastewater authorities in civil and criminal investigations by state authorities and the EPA and negotiated and defended against citizen Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act enforcement actions.
- Representation of national railroad company and state rail authority in litigation and compliance matters.
Permitting, Compliance, and Enforcement
- Guided clients through complex federal and state air permitting and enforcement matters.
- Represented data centers and solar developers in permitting, compliance, and enforcement proceedings.
- Advised on the exploration and permitting of commercial uses for unmanned aviation systems.
Corporate, Regulatory, and Product Matters
- Counseled clients in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new product development, product recalls, and ongoing compliance.
- Represented national clients, including retail product manufacturers, firearm manufacturers, national chain restaurants, and major retail chains, in a variety of regulatory and litigation matters.
- Defended a nationwide distributor of antimicrobial products in federal enforcement actions.
- Represented a nationwide distributor of auto parts in cross-border recall actions.
- Represented a nationwide provider of immigration and nationalization bonding services in litigation and government investigation.
- Representation of companies undergoing Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) for immigration and I-9 compliance.
- Represented national sales and service vendors in internal investigations.
Financial and Professional Services
- Represented registered investment advisors and broker-dealers in arbitration, litigation, and compliance matters.
- Defended licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and firms in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations and enforcement actions.
Corporate and Public Entity Litigation and Investigations
- Conducted numerous internal and external corporate and public entity investigations.
- Investigated and prosecuted non-typical organized crime cases in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia.
- Defended businesses and professionals in cases involving individual and corporate liability.
Speaker: "Use and Misuse of Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Courts," Frank Dunham Criminal Defense Conference, April 11, 2025
Speaker: "Advanced Negotiation Skills," 56th University of Richmond Professional Executive Leadership School, March 18, 2025
Co-author: An Emerging Risk of Allegations of Insider Trading, Interglobix Magazine, April 30, 2023
Speaker: Far-Reaching Russian Sanctions in the U.S. and an unprecedented speed in enforcement, Webinar, April 2022
Author: "Legal Intricacies of Sustainable Energy," InterGlobix Magazine, September 2021
Author: "Energy, Environment and The Edge – The Decentralized Future of the Data Center," InterGlobix Magazine, December 2020
Author: "The Risk and Uncertainty of Current Times," InterGlobix Magazine, July 31, 2020
Speaker: Henrico Internet Infrastructure Webinar, July 30, 2020
Speaker: Internet Infrastructure Webinar: Data Centers Air Permitting and Compliance Considerations and Operational Challenges, June 17, 2020
Speaker: Business Interruption Coverage for the Internet Infrastructure Industry, June 10, 2020
Speaker: Internet Infrastructure Issues: The Future of the Data Center, May 20, 2020
Speaker: Internet Infrastructure Issues: Data Centers 101 Water Footprint and Consumption, Webinar, May 6, 2020
Speaker: Internet Infrastructure Issues: Data Centers 101 Environmental Health and Safety, Webinar, April 22, 2020
Author: Tax Act May Spur More Investment in RNG, Biogas Projects, Biomass Magazine, March 7, 2018
Author: Public Utilities - Renewable Energy, Handbook of Virginia Local Government Law, 2018
Panelist: "Who Decides?," U.S. Chamber of Commerce Joint Fall Committee Meeting, December 9, 2015
Co-author: "Unmanned Aerial Systems and the Utility of the Future," NACWA The Water Voice, June 17, 2015
Co-author: "The Utility of the Future at Work: Biomethane as New Sources of Energy & Income," NACWA The Water Voice, March 11, 2015
Panelist: Fertilizer or Solid Waste: How far does RCRA spread?, ELI Professional Practice Webinar, February 26, 2015
Co-presenter: EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard: New Pathways, New Opportunities?, Bloomberg BNA Webinar, November 6, 2014
Co-author: "Environment 2014: Water Issues," EPA Administrative Law Reporter, March 2014
Co-Presenter: "Biosolids: Legal Challenges to Land Application and Policy Considerations for Utilities of the Future," Hot Topics in Clean Water Law, NACWA Web Seminar, January 22, 2014
Co-author: "Requirements for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems In Virginia," Bill of Particulars, October 2013
ARTICLES
Client Alert: The End of Chevron Bias: A Tombstone No Federally Regulated Company Should Miss
Client Alert: New For 2024 - The Answer to Two Important Questions Every Rental Property Owner in Virginia Needs to Know about Changes to the Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act (VRLTA)
Client Alert: IRS Will Determine Whether PPP Loans Properly Forgiven, Treat Improperly Forgiven Amounts as Income
Client Alert: Don’t Jeopardize Your PPP Forgiveness Appeal
Client Alert: DOJ Threatens Government Contractors With Fraud Claims Over Alleged Non-Compliance With Ambiguous Requirements
NEWSLETTERS
The Real Deal - Spring 2023
Claim of Right Not Sunk by Prior Permission: Argument That Prior Permission Transfers With Title Blown Out of the Water!
Introducing New Attorneys at Whiteford