Daniel Cotter

Member
Chicago
A member in the firm’s Chicago office, Daniel Cotter’s practice encompasses a range of roles, including a pivotal tenure as general counsel for a major life insurance company and extensive private practice experience. His clientele spans insurance firms, financial institutions, IT/consulting enterprises, and nonprofits.

Since 1996, Dan has been deeply involved in privacy and cybersecurity matters, notably contributing to the formulation of terms and conditions as well as disclaimers for Fortune 500 websites in the late 1990s. His roles as a chief privacy officer across various companies and law firms underscore his depth in these evolving domains.

Dan’s proficiency extends to navigating intricate insurance regulatory matters, overseeing substantial reorganizations within holding company systems, and negotiating a myriad of contracts, ranging from simple to elaborate, including outsourcing agreements. His portfolio includes pivotal assignments such as advising a state insurance department on pioneering insurance company demutualizations and spearheading approvals for significant transactions. He also played a crucial role in facilitating the purchase and redomestication of insurers across multiple jurisdictions.

In addition, Dan provides invaluable counsel to nonprofit entities, guiding them through intricate dissolutions, mergers, and conversions. His breadth of experience and knack for navigating multifaceted legal landscapes make him a trusted advisor, ensuring clients receive strategic guidance and resolution on a broad spectrum of legal matters. 

Areas Of Practice

Insurance Banking & Finance Mergers & Acquisitions Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Labor & Employment Intellectual Property Nonprofit Organizations

Acknowledgements

  • Illinois Super Lawyers, 2017-2023
  • Illinois Leading Lawyers, 2016-2023

Prominent Assignments

• Advised Illinois Department of Insurance regarding first two insurance company demutualizations approved under the Illinois Insurance Code.
• Advised standby purchaser on first life insurance demutualization in Illinois and obtained approval of transaction by Illinois Department of Insurance.
• Represented buyer in purchase of a Massachusetts-domiciled insurer and redomestication to Nebraska.
• Obtained certificates of authority for client to expand to more than forty jurisdictions.
• Advised nonprofit entities on complex dissolutions, mergers, and conversions.

Professional Involvement

  • National Conference of Bar Presidents
    • Secretary, 2021
    • Treasurer, 2022
    • President-Elect, 2023
  • Monmouth College,
    • Moot Court Judge, 2011-2020
  • The American Law Institute
  • LexisNexis
    • Insurance Advisory Board for Practical Guidance, Board Member, 2021
  • Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals
    • General Counsel, 2020
  • American Bar Association
    • Cybersecurity Legal Task Force
    • House of Delegates, 2015-present
    • National Conference of Bar PresidentsMetropolitan Bar Caucus Committee, Chair, 2012-present
    • Board Member, 2015-2018
  • Chicago Bar Association
    • Media and Civic Education, Inc., Board Member, 2021
    • Insurance Law Committee, Co-Chair, 2019-present
    • President, 2014-2015
    • Board of Managers, 2003-2004; 2005-2007; 2010-2016
    • Young Lawyers Section, Chair, 2003-2004

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States, 2011
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1996

Publications/Presentations

Dan has presented hundreds of times throughout his career on a variety of substantive topics. Recent presentations include:

Insights

Have a question or want to connect?