Daniel A. Kaufman

Clients turn to Dan because he is an outstanding trusted advisor and litigator who handles cases (class actions, multi-plaintiff, and single plaintiff) and other matters involving myriad employment, higher education, and other issues. His clients include colleges and universities; businesses (from financial services to film studios); municipalities; and non-profit organizations.

Clients rely on Dan because of his deep knowledge of employment law and higher education law; exceptional judgment; strategic advice; and litigation success. His expertise includes:

• Discrimination and harassment claims
• Retaliation and whistleblower claims
• Hiring, disciplining, and terminating employees
• Leaves, disability, and accommodations
• Non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements
• Litigation avoidance and strategy
• Addressing financial challenges

Solutions in action

Highlights of Dan’s experience as a litigator include:

• Led trial team when jury found no liability against our client, one of the largest municipalities in Illinois, in a federal case alleging disability discrimination. This case helped to define and limit the scope of an employer’s obligation to provide employees with a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Led trial team when jury found no liability against our client in a federal case alleging retaliation and other claims
• Bench trial victory on behalf of a large healthcare entity in a groundbreaking case claiming discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation
• Obtained summary judgment (affirmed by the Seventh Circuit) on behalf of a large healthcare entity in a national origin discrimination case. This case is frequently cited for the compelling argument we made that a court is not to act as a “super personnel department” substituting its judgment for the decision-making process of an employer.
• Attained dismissals and successful resolutions of disability discrimination, harassment, retaliation, defamation, and other claims against leading universities
• Attained numerous dismissals, summary judgment and successful resolutions of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour and other claims against businesses, higher education institutions, municipalities and other clients.