Daniel Cotter is a seasoned corporate transactional and structural lawyer with his practice grounded in building compliant and resilient organizations. His legal career spans over three decades, centering on advising clients through complex business arrangements, entity formation and restructuring, strategic transactions, and risk-sensitive corporate governance matters. Dan brings concentrated expertise in three intersecting areas of law—privacy and cybersecurity, insurance regulation and coverage, and corporate governance, which allows him to serve as a strategic legal partner to companies navigating operational, regulatory, and reputational risk.

Dan has extensive experience in insurance and reinsurance law, handling transactional, regulatory, and insolvency matters for local, national and regional clients. He represents a wide variety of clients in the insurance and financial services sectors, including life insurers, accident and health insurers, property and casualty insurers, health maintenance organizations, and counsel on a variety of insurance and reinsurance transactions, including mergers and acquisitions; corporate formations, dissolutions, and reorganizations; redomestications; structuring and licensing; and business relationships.

Whether serving as outside counsel, an arbitrator, a nonprofit board advisor, or risk consultant, Dan brings a pragmatic and strategic mindset to helping clients align their operations with legal and ethical obligations that builds trust and long-term sustainability.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS 

•  Advised client on sale of a specialty insurance company and helped the parties navigate the department of insurance process.

•  Negotiated complex set of agreements for a tech vendor on a major initiative.

•  Helped organizations maintain compliance with ever-changing privacy laws patchwork by reviewing and revising internal documents and public policies.

•  Helped online vendors in gaming and other areas develop identification protocols that were within the various biometric laws that exist, including BIPA.

•  Advised clients on BIPA and GIPA compliance and defense in Illinois.

•  Advised a rural bank on handling of third-party vendor issues leading to exposure of bank customers’ data.

•  Seconded to a manufacturer, negotiating complex transactions for the company while the General Counsel was busy attending a trial.

•  Served as outside counsel to a pre-IPO company, readying it to go public. Negotiated large number of complex agreements and readied infrastructure, including corporate governance.

•  Represented seller in a complex, eleven state transaction that involved substantial coordination of the states.

•  Expanded client over the last several years into several new markets, with pragmatic approach to entering those states.

•  Advised companies on data breaches and assisted with investigations.

•  Advised Ilinois 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 non-profit entities on complex dissolutions, mergers, and conversions.

•  Conducted an internal investigation of alleged sexual harassment at a non-insurance related entity by a board member.

•  Acted as regulatory counsel on sale of an Illinois-domiciled life and annuity insurer to an Arizona-domiciled insurance group, including regulatory filings and approvals.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Dan began his career as an Associate at Lord, Bissell & Brook in 1995. He remained there for two years before moving to CNA, where he was promoted to a Director role. He moved to Unitrin Services Company in 2000, taking the position of Senior Counsel, Assistant Secretary and P&C Liaison. In 2005, Dan was employed by Argo Group US, Inc as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. Dan moved to Lindemann LLC in 2010, hired to be the Corporate Chair of their Transactional and Regulatory/Compliance Group, and was promoted to Of Counsel. While he was still employed there, Dan was a Co-Founding member of Korey Cotter Heather & Richardson, where he was promoted to Of Counsel in 2013. That same year, Dan was Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary for Members Mutual Holding Company Fidelity Life Association. By 2015, he had moved to Butler Rubin Santarelli & Boyd LLP as a Partner. Dan began employment at Latimer LeVay Fyock LLC in 2017, where he remained for two years. In 2019, Dan was with Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC until 2024. He was employed at Dickinson Wright PLLC from 2024 until 2025. Dan joined Aronberg Goldgehn in 2025.

SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS

• Contributing Author, “101 Top Rainmakers’ Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice”, Be That Lawyer with Fretzin Book, May 2025

• Speaker, “Separating Yourself from An Average Mediator,” Negotiation and Mediation Skills Workshop, Chicago Bar Association, May 2025

• Speaker, “Confidentiality and Attorney/Client Privilege Concerns in Mediation,” Negotiation and Mediation Skills Workshop, Chicago Bar Association, May 2025

• Speaker, “The Future of Meditation,” Negotiation and Mediation Skills Workshop, Chicago Bar Association, May 2025

• Speaker, ADR in the U.S. and Italy Meeting, CLE in Sicily Panel, April 2025

• Speaker, “Role of Lawyers in Society”, Western States Bar Conference, April 2025

• Co-Host, "Understanding Sanctions: Current Trends Affecting OFAC," DW FastTrack Podcast, March 2025

• Co-Author, “FinCEN Narrows CTA Reporting Requirements,” Dickinson Wright Client Alert, March 2025

• Moderator, "Corporate & Regulatory Compliance Bootcamp 2025: Overview of General Corporate Law Compliance," CeriFi LegalEdge, March 2025

• Featured, “So You Want to be a Cybersecurity Lawyer,” Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Committee Webinar, American Bar Association, March 2025

• Panelist, "Practice Overlap: Cyber-Security, Privacy & HIPAA", Health & Hospital Law-Hot Takes for 2025 Seminar, Chicago Bar Association, March 2025

• Co-Author, “U.S. Treasury Department Suspends Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act for U.S. Citizens and U.S. Companies,” Dickinson Wright Client Alert, March 2025

• Co-Author, “Texas Court Recognizes Supreme Court Ruling, Reinstates BOI Filing Requirement,” Dickinson Wright Client Alert, February 2025

• Moderator, “Lift Every Voice: Celebrating Black History,” Northern District of Illinois, February 2025

• Author, “Flurry of Activity Raises Questions About Scope of Executive Power,” Lawyer port, February 2025

• Featured Attorney, “Trump Actions Spark Potential Legal Challenges for Supreme Court,” Cases and Controversies Podcast, January 2025

• Contributing Author, The Complete Compliance and Ethics Manual, 2025

• Co-Author, “Supreme Court Stays Fifth Circuit CTA Injunction, But Clarity Remains Elusive,” Dickinson Wright Client Alert, January 2025

• Author, "No Party for Supply Chain Companies: The Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act," Inbound Logistics, January 2025

• Panelist, “Updates on the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA),” Municipal & Law Divisions Committee, Chicago Bar Association, January 2025

• Speaker, Cyber Law and Data Privacy Committee, Chicago Bar Association, 2025

• Author, “Courts Continue to Address Biometric Information Insurance Questions,” Federation of Regulatory Counsel, December 2024 

• Co-Presenter, “Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the Future of Insurance and Data Protection,” Chicago Bar Association, LexisNexis, 2024

• Author, “The Biometric Information Privacy Act,” TortSource, November 2024

• Speaker, "Marketing Based Rainmaking Panel," Thomson Reuters West LegalEdcenter, 2024

• 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

• Author, “What You Need to Know about the Biometric Information Privacy Act," Chicago Bar Association CBA Record, 2024

• Presenter, “Understanding Supreme Court Reform: History, Proposals, and Challenges,” Annual Conference for Teachers in Civics, Law & Government, Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Tech, 2024

• 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

• Featured Attorney, “The Drug Cartel Kidnapping of Mauricio Gonzalez,” A Study in Crime: A True Crime Podcast, September 2024

• 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

• Panelist, "Property & Casualty Q&A," Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP), 2024 Annual Conference, September 2024

• Speaker, "Cannabis – Expansion, Filings and Exclusions," Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP), 2024 Annual Conference, September 2024

• Panelist, "Start Your Engines! It’s Time for Insurance "Family Feud"," Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP), 2024 Annual Conference, September 2024

• Speaker, "Don’t Run Off the Cyber Track," Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals (AICP), 2024 Annual Conference, September 2024

• Speaker, “The Evolution of Arbitration - Improving Efficiency and Controlling Costs,” The Ultimate ADR Seminar: A Conversation with ADR Experts, Chicago Bar Association, September 2024

• Panelist, “Cybersecurity – The Changing Environment for Insurers, What’s Next?”, Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals, August 2024

• Speaker, “BIPA, GIPA & Other Privacy and Cyber Claims,” Hybrid Learn-A-Latte, American Arbitration Association, July 2024

• Featured Attorney, The Gary Clement Radio Show Podcast, June 2024

• Author, "Cotter's Corner," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Illinois Press Association, June 2024

• Author, "Illinois Legislature passes major reform to BIPA," FORC Alert, May 2024

• 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

• Co-Presenter, “The American Privacy Rights Act,” Cyber Law and Data Privacy Committee, The Chicago Bar Association, May 2024

• Moderator, Inaugural Information and Privacy Law Program, Center for Intellectual Property, Information and Privacy Law, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, May 2024

• 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

• Author, "Justices sound skeptical of claim over mifepristone, FDA actions," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, April 2024

• Author, "IPAS Brewing in Illinois," Federation of Regulatory Counsel, April 2024

• Featured Attorney, "History of the Biometric Information Privacy Act,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, April 2024

• Featured Attorney, "Significant Lawsuits Under the Biometric Information Privacy Act,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, April 2024

• Featured Attorney, "Insurance Issues Related to the Biometric Information Privacy Act,” Dickinson Wright Minutes on the Matter, April 2024

• Moderator, “DOI Engagement Panel,” AICP Filing School, April 2024

• Panelist, "Disputes Involving Exclusions in Cyber and Related Coverages, and the Market Response", ABA Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, March 2024

• Contributor, "What Can Businesses Do About Ransomware Attacks?," Illinois/Chicago Business 2024, Super Lawyers, January 2024

• Author, "A gigabyte of work – information governance in a world of data", Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data, March 2024

• Participant, "BIPA Coverage, Artificial Intelligence & GIPA Class Actions," The Chicago Bar Association, February 2024

• Participant, “What Lawyers Need to Know About Financial Statements: Understanding how financial statements interact with business and legal issues”, myLawCLE, November 3, 2023

• Speaker and moderator, “Embedded Insurance and Cyber Insurance”, JVP Insurance Forum, November 2, 2023

• Moderator and participant, “Property & Casualty Q&A,” Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals, October 30, 2023

• Moderator, “Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section - What Attorneys Need to Know about Ransomware Attacks”, May 19, 2023

• Co-host, “Learn-a-Latte”, American Arbitration Association, May 9, 2023

LEADERSHIP ROLES/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

•  Chair, Cyber and Privacy Committee, 2025 – Present

•  Chair, ABA TIPS Insurance Regulation Committee, 2025 - Present

•  Chair, ABA TIPS Cyber and Privacy Committee 2025 – Present

•  National Conference of Bar Presidents, President, 2024 - Present

•  National Conference of Bar Presidents, President, 2024 – 2025

•  Chair, Museum Exploratory Committee, 2024 - Present

•  Treasurer, NCBP Leadership, 2022 - 2023

•  Secretary, NCBP Leadership, 2021 - 2022

•  American Law Institute, Member, 2021 – Present

•  General Counsel, Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals, 2019 - Present.

•  Audit Committee, Chair, 2017 - Present

•  Acme Continental Credit Union Board, 2016 – Present

•  CIPP-US, 2016 - Present

•  American Bar Association, House of Delegates, CBA Delegate, 2015 - Present

•  Chair, Insurance Law Committee, 2015 - Present

•  American Bar Association, House of Delegates, 2015 - Present

•  Chicago Bar Association, Past President, 2014 - 2015

•  John Marshall Board of Visitors, 2013 - 2018

•  Alliant Credit Union Advisory Council, 2013 - 2016

•  Co-founder and co-funder, Monmouth College Moot Court competition, 2011 - Present

•  Treasurer, Chicago Bar Association, 2009 - 2011

•  Chair, Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth Program, 2010 - 2014

•  Monmouth College, Board of Trustees, 2009 - Present

•  Edgebrook Public School, Local School Council, Chair, 2006 - 2013

•  Chicago Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 2004 - 2011, 2013 - 2015

•  Chicago Bar Association, Board of Managers, 2003 - 2004, 2005 - 2007, 2010 - 2016

•  Past President; Chicago Bar Association/Young Lawyers Section: Chair, 2003 - 2004 (10,000 members; managed 100+ person Executive Council)

•  Raised $350,000+ for mentoring, 2002 - 2019

RELATED NEWS

• Aronberg Goldgehn Welcomes Corporate and Regulatory Attorney Daniel A. Cotter as a Member