Dan Romanello, a former trial lawyer with decades of experience in the courtroom, has built a second career as an author of contemporary thrillers. His ongoing body of work, the Dylan Tomassi series, blends fictional narratives with elements inspired by real-world institutions, presenting stories that explore action, conflict, and the inner workings of various professional arenas. His latest installment, Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right, is scheduled for release on September 29, 2025.
Romanello’s professional path began in journalism. Early in his career, he worked as a reporter for a Florida newspaper, covering local and regional stories. This role provided him with foundational experience in investigation, fact-finding, and concise communication—skills that would later play a role in his legal and literary careers. Seeking a new professional direction, he pursued a law degree from the University of Florida.
Upon graduating, Romanello began his legal career as an assistant state attorney. Over time, he transitioned into private practice and became a shareholder in a boutique firm. There, he led the trial practice group for more than 20 years, representing clients and managing complex litigation. His years in the legal field offered him extensive experience in research, case preparation, and courtroom advocacy, which contributed to his understanding of structured narratives and persuasive communication.
In 2017, Romanello retired from practicing law. Shortly afterward, he took on the role of a college athletics coach, guiding student athletes in both training and competition. This position, which allowed him to engage with young people and develop leadership skills in a different context, came to an end when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted collegiate sports. The pause in his professional activities provided the opportunity for him to explore an interest he had long considered—writing fiction.
His debut novel, Paperboy, was published in 2022. It became the first installment of the Dylan Tomassi series, introducing readers to the central character, Dylan Tomassi. In this opening story, Tomassi is portrayed as a young boy whose life changes significantly after meeting a widow along his paper route. The narrative blends coming-of-age elements with suspense, setting the tone for the series. Paperboy reached Amazon’s #1 bestseller ranking in its category, establishing Romanello’s presence in the thriller genre.
The series continued with Blindsided Justice, a legal and political thriller in which a newly elected district attorney makes decisions that disrupt established systems within the criminal justice arena. The third book, Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right, expands the scope of the series into action-adventure territory. In this installment, the plot revolves around a conflict between a powerful teachers’ union leader and a corrupt environmental activist, with the story exploring the interplay of influence, power, and moral decision-making.
While the Dylan Tomassi series is fictional, Romanello integrates elements based on his own professional and life experiences. His background in journalism lends authenticity to depictions of media operations, while his decades in the legal system inform portrayals of court proceedings and legal strategy. Coaching athletics has also influenced certain aspects of his storytelling, particularly those related to teamwork, discipline, and competition.
One of the notable characteristics of Romanello’s writing is his avoidance of direct political commentary. Rather than using his narratives to promote a particular ideological stance, he focuses on developing plots and characters that reflect a range of perspectives. This approach allows the stories to appeal to a broad readership, concentrating on human motivation and conflict rather than partisan argument.
Beyond the first three novels, Romanello is currently working on the fourth installment in the Dylan Tomassi series, Med Mal U, which is projected for release in 2026. This upcoming title is expected to continue the series’s tradition of weaving together fictional events with insight into institutional processes.
Romanello maintains an active presence online, using his official website to share information about upcoming releases, book tours, and appearances. He also engages with readers on various social media platforms, where he discusses his writing process and responds to audience feedback. This interaction has helped him build a community of readers who follow the series and anticipate new installments.
Throughout his transition from journalism to law, athletics, and now authorship, Romanello has maintained a consistent connection to storytelling. In journalism, the aim was to communicate information clearly and accurately; in the legal field, it was to present a compelling narrative that supported a case; and in fiction, it is to create immersive worlds that engage and sustain reader interest.
His shift to writing novels represents both a continuation and an expansion of this skill set. The ability to structure complex information, develop logical sequences of events, and understand the motivations of diverse individuals informs the construction of his plots and characters. For readers, this means stories that are grounded in realistic detail while still delivering the suspense and momentum expected from the thriller genre.
Romanello’s career illustrates how professional expertise can serve as a foundation for creative work. His novels reflect a combination of practical knowledge and imaginative development, drawing on experiences that range from legal negotiations to sports team management. This layered background contributes to the texture of his fiction, offering readers not just entertainment, but also a sense of familiarity with the systems and professions depicted.
As he continues to expand the Dylan Tomassi series, Romanello’s work remains rooted in the principle that compelling storytelling can emerge from a wide variety of real-world experiences. By drawing on the disciplines of his earlier careers and applying them to fiction, he has created a body of work that combines informed detail with narrative drive. Whether depicting the machinations of the justice system, the dynamics of organizational leadership, or the complexities of individual moral choices, his novels provide readers with both engaging plots and insights into the structures that shape contemporary life.
