Dale G. Mullen

With over two decades of experience, Mr. Mullen advises clients on a broad spectrum of regulatory compliance, corporate governance, securities, and government investigations. His practice spans federal, state, and local matters, drawing on significant experience in both private practice and public service.  He represents clients—including Fortune 500 companies—across industries such as energy, environment, healthcare, finance, railroads, aviation, real estate development, and land use.

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.

Healthcare Compliance and Enforcement
Mr. Mullen's experience extends to federally funded healthcare program compliance and enforcement, developed through his prior service as a prosecutor with the Virginia Office of the Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) and continuing into private practice. He and members of Whiteford’s Corporate and Healthcare teams have represented parties on both sides of billing irregularity disputes and have litigated procurement and contracting matters involving health care service providers, including bid protest proceedings.
 
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 (2021-2027) and Real Estate Law (2025-2027)
• Virginia Business Magazine, Legislative/Regulatory/Administrative "Legal Elite" (2013-2018, 2020-2025)
• 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)
• Virginia State Bar Association, Pro Bono Service Honor Roll Member (2026)

 

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: "Data Center Infrastructure Agreements," 2026 VWWAA Annual Meeting, April 13, 2026

Speaker: "Navigating Protest Response Law in Virginia," Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, 2026 Spring Conference, April 10, 2026

Co-author: "At a glance: key environmental legislation in USA (District of Columbia, North Carolina, Virginia)," Lexology, December 2, 2025

Panelist: Private Equity Task Force, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy Annual Meeting, October 27, 2025

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