Daniel Andrews jokes that becoming a lawyer was always somewhere behind astronaut and movie star on his list of dream jobs. But when the Oklahoma City native started college at Trinity University, family influence nudged him toward the legal path.
The decision might have seemed inevitable. His father, oldest brother, and sister all practiced law. As a boy, he’d tag along to his father’s office, which struck him as a “cool place to work.”
Eight years into his in-house career at USAA, Andrews has built a reputation that extends far beyond his litigation expertise.
This year, the Association of Corporate Counsel’s San Antonio Chapter and The Texas Lawbook are awarding Andrews the 2025 San Antonio Corporate Counsel Award for Achievement in Pro Bono and Public Service. The winners will be honored Nov. 6 at the first annual San Antonio Corporate Counsel Awards event.
Andrews’ “demonstrated commitment to legal services for the poor, especially indigent veterans, makes him a terrific candidate for the Pro Bono Award,” said Michael Danforth, vice president of the San Antonio Legal Services Association and USAA associate general counsel, who nominated Andrews.
“Dan never seeks out recognition or acclaim for his pro bono services,” Danforth added. “He is a quiet leader whose consistent presence serves as an example of what dedication to serving those who have served our country truly looks like.”
Andrews is a familiar face at SALSA’s monthly Veterans Legal Advice Clinic.
“Dan is the consummate professional,” Danforth said. “He listens intently to each client’s story and makes them feel like they are the only person in the room, a feat which is difficult to accomplish given the physical limitations of a legal clinic setting.”
Andrews’ influence goes beyond his own volunteer hours. As a member of USAA’s enterprise litigation team, he’s become one of the company’s leading champions for pro bono work, recruiting new volunteers every month and mentoring law students and young attorneys who participate in the clinics.
“Many USAA attorneys volunteer through the program because of Dan’s infectious commitment to pro bono service,” Danforth said.
Andrews joined USAA in 2017 after a friend who worked there had spent years encouraging him to apply.
His first role was in the San Antonio staff counsel office, defending USAA members against lawsuits. “It involved all aspects of litigation: taking depositions, preparing witnesses, trying cases,” he said. “Almost all car accident cases settle, so when you get to try a case, and then win it, that’s a fantastic feeling.”
One victory still stands out: a defense verdict in Bexar County in a low-speed car accident case against a lawyer who boasted he had never lost such a trial.
About a year ago, he transitioned into USAA’s litigation counsel group, where he now oversees the company’s outside firms defending USAA. His focus has shifted from trying cases himself to managing the teams that do, though he still assists with witness preparation and attends mediations and trials.
Beyond his courtroom work, Andrews has found a meaningful outlet for his legal skills at San Antonio’s VA hospital, where he regularly volunteers at pro bono legal clinics.
Premium Subscriber Q&A: Andrews shares how he thinks lawyers can help meet the biggest challenges facing legal aid organizations and pro bono legal services groups.
At first, he was dubious he could help. His first manager at USAA volunteered monthly and often asked his colleagues to join.
“My entire career has been insurance defense, so I doubted I could help anyone at the clinic,” Andrews said. “After the sixth or so invitation, I finally decided I had nothing to lose, and I agreed to go.”
One recent case resonates: a widow whose husband died while on short-term leave. His employer was withholding his final paycheck.
“I called the employer from the clinic and quickly convinced them to release the payment, which was issued that same day,” Andrews said. “The widow was very happy, and I felt great helping her out of that jam.”
For Andrews, volunteering deepened his connection to the military community that USAA serves.
“Though I have not worn uniform, serving our military members at USAA is a powerful opportunity to give back to the military community and their families,” Andrews said. “After volunteering a few times at the VA pro bono clinic, I developed a much deeper appreciation and respect for the community of active-duty personnel and veterans, especially the veterans who have struggled either financially or with mental health issues. It’s an honor to serve them.”
Kacie Starr, a colleague at USAA, said that sense of honor is what makes Andrews stand out.
“Dan never turns down an opportunity to put his legal skills to use for those in need,” Starr said. “When I worked with him at the SALSA clinics, you would see clients come back month after month and ask for Dan because he showed up for them.”
Among longtime colleagues, Andrews has earned the nickname “Opie,” after the wholesome son on The Andy Griffith Show.
Honest and forthright, Andrews “always tries to be the very best person he can be,” said David V. Jones, a former law partner of about 25 years.
Andrews looks for the “right way” to address a problem and he does it with optimism and a good attitude, Jones said. “Some people have a ‘fake smile.’ Dan has a ‘fake frown.’”
Not one to let “petty grievances” detour him from his goals, Andrews remains a joyful colleague and leader.
“After all,” Jones said, “who doesn’t like Opie?”
Fun Facts: Daniel Andrews
- Favorite book: Although I’m not a huge sci-fi fan, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is incredibly imaginative and well written. I highly recommend it, especially the audiobook.
- Favorite movie: I love movies and seeing them in the theater. I have several favorites, but two which really stick out are Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Shawshank Redemption. Raiders because it’s so fun and action packed. Shawshank because after everything goes so wrong for Andy Dufresne, he finally gets his revenge and a new lease on life.
- Favorite vacation: Traveling is my favorite thing to do, so it’s very hard to pick a favorite. My wife and I met up with my sister and her husband last year in Switzerland. We stayed in four different cities, including a small village in the Alps. It was magical.
- Favorite restaurant: That’s almost like asking which of our three children is my favorite. I’ll go with Paesano’s, a San Antonio institution known for their shrimp paesano. Give me Italian food and a glass of red wine, and I’m a happy man.
- Hero in life: Barack Obama. He overcame so much to become president, and he led the nation out of the Great Recession. There were many monumental achievements during his presidency, but what sticks most with me is his singing “Amazing Grace” at the memorial for the victims of the mass shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. I still get choked up thinking about that.