Daniel C. Pauley

About Daniel C. Pauley

I help founders and families build, scale, and transition enduring businesses.I am a Co-Founder of Smith Pauley, a corporate and estate planning law firm built to serve closely held businesses, executives, and families navigating growth, complexity, and transition. Since co-founding the firm, I’ve been directly involved in scaling the platform, building teams and systems, and advising clients at increasingly meaningful stages of enterprise value.My legal practice focuses on corporate structuring, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and manufacturing transactions, succession planning, and advanced estate planning. I partner with clients as a long-term strategic advisor, aligning legal strategy with operational realities, governance, and capital considerations.My perspective is shaped by a 100+ year Pauley family operating history across family office management, commercial development, lumber, ranching, and agriculture. That background informs how I approach decision making, practical, disciplined, and grounded in how businesses actually operate.I also advise individuals and families on complex, high networth estate planning and probate matters, including contested trusts and estates involving significant business and real estate assets. My work is focused on preserving enterprise value, managing transition, and helping families plan across generations.I’m passionate about education and leadership, having served as an adjunct professor and frequent speaker on business succession and estate planning.Outside the office, I enjoy time outdoors with my wife Brooke and our four children.

Experience

1. Outside General Counsel

   Momentum Wealth Fund

   Feb 2026 — Present

Education

• Hastings College

  B.A., Economics & Political Science

  2003 — 2007

• Creighton University School of Law

  J.D., Law

  2007 — 2010