Daniel attended schools in Anaheim, California. One of four brothers, his teachers would roll their eyes and mutter "another Underwood boy," until his younger sister came along. In high school, he participated in the Academic Decathlon, and lettered twice in football (lineman,) basketball (center,) and track and field (discus.)

At some point while laying in his hammock under the Southern Cross and gazing at Mount Kilimanjaro, he struck upon the notion of becoming an attorney. Happy to return to the U.S.A., Daniel then went on to graduate from McGeorge School of Law, earning a Juris Doctor With Distinction.

Seeking courtroom experience after passing the bar, he applied to prosecutor offices around the state, and accepted the offer from the Tulare County , District Attorney’s Office.

He has served with the Misdemeanor Division, the Juvenile Division, the Agricultural Crimes Division, the Tulare Division, Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Major Narcotics Team, the Visalia General Felony Division, the Porterville Felony Crimes Division, and currently is serving with the Major Crimes Division.

He has had the opportunity to prosecute 50 trials, including a five-pound methamphetamine purchase, a stabbing in Springville that victimized one of Porterville’s minor league baseball players, various gang shootings and stabbings, and various robberies, burglaries, DUI’s and assaults.

Recently he prosecuted five homicides including the cases of Miguil Cisneros who is currently serving a LWOP sentence for his gang-related shooting in Pixley and Oscar Aguilar who is serving 50 - to - life for killing a man in Murray Park, Porterville. Dan also prosecuted Jose Calderon, who after using methamphetamine and stealing a car, was fleeing officers when he ran head on into unsuspecting motorist on a bridge over the St. Johns’ Parkway on Road 80. Calderon was convicted of second degree murder and is currently serving 17 and one half years to life.