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.
Education & Credentials
Education
John Marshall Law School
J.D.- summa cum laude
- Law Review, Staff Editor
- ABA National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition, Participant
Monmouth College
B.A., Accounting- magna cum laude
- Departmental Honors, Accounting
- Blue Key Senior Man of the Year
- Mortar Board of Honor Fraternity, President
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- Illinois Super Lawyers, 2017-2023
- Illinois Leading Lawyers, 2016-2023
Prominent Assignments
• 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
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Daniel Cotter - Justice John Paul Stevens Award, Chicago Bar Association, 2024
- 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
- Speaker, TIPS Dispute Resolution Committee, 2024
- Co-Chair, Fair and Impartial Courts Committee, 2024-2025
- Chair-Elect, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy General Committee, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS), 2024-2025
- Cybersecurity Legal Task Force, 2024-2025
- House of Delegates, 2015-present
- National Conference of Bar PresidentsMetropolitan Bar Caucus Committee, Chair, 2012-present
- Board Member, 2015-2018
- Chicago Bar Association
- Judge, Moot Court Competition, 2024
- 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
Community Involvement
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Judge, UIC College of Law, Herzog Competition, 2024
- Judge, UIC College of Law Moot Court Honors program, 2024
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:
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Author, “Courts Continue to Address Biometric Information Insurance Questions,” Federation of Regulatory Counsel, December 2024
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Co-Presenter, “Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the Future of Insurance and Data Protection,” Chicago Bar Association, LexisNexis, 2024
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Author, “The Biometric Information Privacy Act,” TortSource, November 2024
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Speaker, "Marketing Based Rainmaking panel," Thomson Reuters West LegalEdcenter, 2024
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Co-Presenter, "Biometric Information and Privacy Act (BIPA): What the Recent Amendments Mean for Compliance and Enforcement," Chicago Bar Association, Cyber Law and Data Privacy & Biometric Information and Privacy Law Committees, November 2024
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Author, “What You Need to Know about the Biometric Information Privacy Act," Chicago Bar Association CBA Record, 2024
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Presenter, “Understanding Supreme Court Reform: History, Proposals, and Challenges,” Annual Conference for Teachers in Civics, Law & Government, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Tech
- Presenter, “Human Resources Legal Issues Series Updates Regarding the FTC and Noncompetes,” National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), October 2024
- Panelist, “How to Work a Room,” University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) Student Alumni Exchange, October 2024
- Guest Speaker, St. Louis University Law School, Insurance Law Class, October 2024
- Presenter, “Cybersecurity Spotlight,” Insurance In-House Counsel and Professionals Summit, 2024 ABA TIPS Fall Meeting, American Bar Association, 2024
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Featured, “The Drug Cartel Kidnapping of Mauricio Gonzalez,” A Study in Crime: A True Crime Podcast, September 2024
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Presenter, “Kick-off luncheon Dan Cotter, NCPB President on US Supreme Court,” 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting, State Bar of Montana, 2024
- Presenter, “Democracy/Rule of Law/Separation of Powers,” 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting, State Bar of Montana, 2024
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Panelist, "Property & Casualty Q&A," Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP), 2024 Annual Conference, September 2024
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Speaker, "Cannabis – Expansion, Filings and Exclusions," Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP), 2024 Annual Conference, September 2024
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Panelist, "Start Your Engines! It’s Time for Insurance "Family Feud"," Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP), 2024 Annual Conference, September 2024
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Speaker, "Don’t Run Off the Cyber Track," Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP), 2024 Annual Conference, September 2024
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Speaker, “The Evolution of Arbitration - Improving Efficiency and Controlling Costs,” The Ultimate ADR Seminar: A Conversation with ADR Experts, Chicago Bar Association, September 2024
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Panelist, “Cybersecurity – The Changing Environment for Insurers, What’s Next?,” Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals, August 2024
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Speaker, “BIPA, GIPA & Other Privacy and Cyber Claims,” Hybrid Learn-A-Latte, American Arbitration Association, July 2024
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Featured, The Gary Clement Radio Show Podcast, June 2024
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Author, "Cotter's Corner," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Illinois Press Association, June 2024
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Author, "Illinois Legislature passes major reform to BIPA," FORC Alert, May 2024
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Presenter, "Information Governance in a World of Data Privacy and Legal Operations in the Age Of AI and Data," Chicago Bar Association, Recent Developments in Privacy Laws Seminar, June 2024
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Co-Presenter, “The American Privacy Rights Act,” Cyber Law and Data Privacy Committee, The Chicago Bar Association, May 2024
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Moderator, Inaugural Information and Privacy Law Program, Center for Intellectual Property, Information and Privacy Law, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, May 2024
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Presenter, “What's Next in Cybersecurity: The Changing Environment for Property/Casualty Insurers,” Compliance Webinar Series, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), May 2024
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Author, "Justices sound skeptical of claim over mifepristone, FDA actions," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, April 2024
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Author, "IPAS Brewing in Illinois," Federation of Regulatory Counsel, April 2024
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Featured, "History of the Biometric Information Privacy Act,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, April 2024
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Featured, "Significant Lawsuits Under the Biometric Information Privacy Act,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, April 2024
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Featured, "Insurance Issues Related to the Biometric Information Privacy Act,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, April 2024
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Moderator, “DOI Engagement Panel,” AICP Filing School, April 2024
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Panelist, "Disputes Involving Exclusions in Cyber and Related Coverages, and the Market Response", ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, March 2024
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Contributor, "What Can Businesses Do About Ransomware Attacks?," Illinois/Chicago Business 2024, Super Lawyers, January 2024
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Author, "A gigabyte of work – information governance in a world of data," Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data, March 2024
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Moderator, "BIPA Coverage, Artificial Intelligence & GIPA Class Actions," The Chicago Bar Association, February 2024
- myLawCLE: “What Lawyers Need to Know About Financial Statements: Understanding how financial statements interact with business and legal issues,” November 3, webinar.
- JVP Insurance Forum: “Embedded Insurance” and “Cyber Insurance,” November 2, speaker and moderator.
- Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals: “Property & Casualty Q&A,” October 30, 2023, moderator and participant.
- Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section - What Attorneys Need to Know about Ransomware Attacks, May 19, 2023, webinar.
- American Arbitration Association - Learn-a-Latte, May 9, 2023, co-host.