Meet Dan Miller

Dan Miller

Former public school teacher, public defender, county solicitor, AmeriCorps member, firefighter & Mt. Lebanon Commissioner.

As the eldest child of immigrant parents, Dan was the first member of his family born in America. Raised by a single mom, finances were often challenging, but his family instilled in him a strong appreciation and recognition of the special opportunities America offered. As a result, Dan made public service an important part of his life.

Dan enlisted in the Army National Guard after high school. While his military service was cut short due to injury, he found another way to engage in service. As a Team Leader in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corp, he led a diverse team of young adults working on community projects across the mid-Atlantic. Dan earned undergraduate degrees in education and history and became a public school teacher. He later graduated with a law degree from Catholic University, where he received two community service awards, chaired their public interest auction, and served as executive editor of the CommLaw Conspectus: Journal of Communications Law and Technology Policy.

Upon passing the bar, Dan decided to serve the community again as a public defender in Allegheny County primarily representing juveniles. He later joined the Allegheny County Law Department as a county solicitor assigned to Family Court, where he worked to make sure kids were safe in their homes and received a proper education.

In 2005, Dan joined the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter and in 2011 was awarded the Medal of Merit for his attempt to save the life of a three-year-old child from a devastating house fire. He went on to be elected Mt. Lebanon Commissioner in 2007.

In 2013, Dan was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives where he spent most of his time as an advocate on the Judiciary, Labor, Education, and Human Services committees. As a legislative champion of disability and mental health issues, Dan hosted over a dozen community events, covering over 100 related topics and partnering with hundreds of community service providers and nonprofits.

In 2018, Dan was elected by his peers to serve as Allegheny County Delegation Chair and would go on to join House Democratic leadership as Minority Caucus Chair in 2020. Last term, Dan was unanimously elected to serve in the key Majority Whip position.

Dan now serves as counsel at Ruder Law in downtown Pittsburgh, where he advises on matters relating to special education and disability rights.

Dan and his wife Kim currently live with their son in Mt. Lebanon.

Public Service

1992

Army National Guard

Dan enlisted in the Army National Guard after high school. Unfortunately, his service was cut short due to injury.

1992

1996-1997

Public School Teacher

Dan earned his teaching certification and became a full-time substitute teacher in Connecticut.

1996-1997

1997 - 1998

AmeriCorps

Dan served as Team Leader in the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corp, where he led a diverse team of young adults working on community projects across the mid-Atlantic.

1997 - 1998

2002-2008

Public Defender

After receiving his law degree from Catholic University, Dan joined the Allegheny County public defender office, primarily representing juveniles; averaging 60 new cases per month.

2002-2008

2005 - 2020

Volunteer Firefighter

Dan joined the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter, and in 2011 he was awarded the Medal of Merit for his attempt to save the life of a three-year-old child from a devastating house fire.

2005 - 2020

2007-2011

Mt. Lebanon Commissioner

Elected as 5th Ward Commissioner, Dan spearheaded the development of the Veteran’s Memorial.

2007-2011

2008-2013

County Solicitor

As a county solicitor assigned to Family Court, Dan worked to make sure kids were safe in their homes and received a proper education.

2008-2013

2013 - Current

State Representative

Dan was elected to the House of Representatives in 2013, prioritizing criminal justice, mental health, disability, and labor rights. During his time in the PA House, Dan’s peers elected him to serve as a member of leadership—first as Allegheny County Delegation Chair, then Minority Caucus Chair, and most recently as House Majority Whip. In total, Dan authored more than 180 bills and resolutions.