About Daniel J. Collins

Dan Collins is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who represents clients in complex litigation matters. An award-winning former federal prosecutor, Dan regularly defends clients in investigations conducted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other government agencies.

A trusted advocate

Dan is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a distinction reserved for the top one percent of trial lawyers across the United States and Canada. Dan has been recognized repeatedly by Chambers USA, in which clients and peers have described him as “a very savvy, tactical and hard-working lawyer who is held in high esteem in the community,” with “first rate cross-examination skills” and “a great bed-side manner.”

Dan has led numerous internal investigations on behalf of public companies and other organizations on a wide spectrum of issues, including securities and accounting fraud, health care fraud, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), pay-to-play regulations, antitrust, money laundering, and trade secret theft. Dan draws upon his experience as a federal prosecutor, frequently advising on self-disclosure issues and navigating issues presented by DOJ’s Principles of Federal Prosecution of Business Organizations.

Dan is a tireless advocate on behalf of his clients — companies and individuals alike — with the primary goal of persuading authorities not to bring charges. When needed, he aggressively defends clients’ interests and works to obtain favorable results at trial. For example, in a recent high-profile, health care fraud trial, Dan obtained the dismissal of all felony charges against his client after six weeks of trial. According to the Chicago Tribune, the case “fizzled in stunning fashion in the midst of trial.”

Domestically and abroad, Dan frequently speaks on a variety of enforcement topics, including international sanctions and export controls, FCPA and internal controls relating to fraud. Dan is a faculty member with the Practicing Law Institute, where he has presented on conducting effective internal investigations. During his time as a prosecutor, Dan was a faculty member at the DOJ’s National Advocacy Center, presenting on topics related to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) and the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA). He also has taught courses in trial advocacy, national security and computer crime at law schools in Chicago.

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"Daniel is a fantastic lawyer with excellent judgment."

Chambers USA 2022
(Illinois, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) survey response 

Practice Focus

  • White-collar defense
  • FCPA compliance and investigations
  • Internal investigations and whistleblower complaints
  • Health care fraud and anti-kickback litigation
  • Antitrust litigation

Representative Experience

  • On behalf of a public corporation, led an internal investigation into allegations that business partners had violated the FCPA by making improper payments to government purchasers. *
  • On behalf of a Fortune 100 corporation, led an internal investigation into allegations that an overseas business unit had exported chemical-based products in violation of US law. *
  • On behalf of a public corporation, led an internal investigation into allegations of accounting fraud. *
  • On behalf of a Fortune 250 corporation, led an internal investigation into allegations of fraud relating to government purchases. *
  • On behalf of a public corporation, led an internal investigation into allegations of issues with its revenue recognition. *
  • On behalf of a nonprofit institution, led an internal investigation into allegations of fraud and embezzlement by a senior employee. The investigation resulted in a full recovery. *
  • On behalf of a major US municipality, led an investigation into whether a former city comptroller had defrauded the city’s taxpayers or otherwise abused the influence of his office. Issued a public report of the findings at the conclusion of the investigation. *
  • Counseled an insurance company headquartered in New York in an investigation into its compliance with international sanctions. *
  • Represented the former CEO of a national bank in a three-week criminal trial on charges that he conspired with other bank executives to commit securities fraud and other violations by causing the bank to understate its loan loss reserves and otherwise delay the recognition of loss. *
  • Secured a non-prosecution agreement on behalf of a public corporation under investigation by the DOJ for federal program fraud. *
  • Represented the former owner and CEO of a Chicago-area hospital in a seven-week criminal trial in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on charges that he led a conspiracy to pay kickbacks to physicians for referrals. *
  • Represented a quantitative researcher at a high-frequency trading firm charged with six counts of wire fraud and obstruction of justice. After negotiating a plea dismissing all wire fraud charges, obtained a sentence of probation following a contested sentencing hearing. *
  • Represented the president of a national construction company on charges of wire fraud. Negotiated a sentence of probation. *
  • Represented the director of international sales for a global manufacturer of plastic products in an investigation into violations of IEEPA. The investigation was closed without any action taken by authorities. *
  • Represented a hospital in a false claims case filed by a whistleblower. Secured a dismissal with prejudice. *
  • Represented a physician’s practice in a false claims case filed by the US Government following a qui tam complaint by a whistleblower. *
  • Represented a hospital in response to a government investigation into alleged improper billing and referral practices. *
  • Defended the former CEO of a prominent institution against allegations of securities fraud. *
  • Defeated requests for injunctive relief in state court against six principals of a start-up company accused of stealing trade secrets from their former employer. *
  • Represented a former insurance executive who was accused of breaching his duty of loyalty, tortious interference with business relations and other claims after leaving a Fortune 500 insurance company for a competitor. Obtained summary judgment in federal court. *
* Experience prior to Katten

News

Publications

Presentations and Events

Practices
Industries
Education
  • DePaul University College of Law, JD, with honor, Order of the Coif
  • Northwestern University, BA, Chick Evans Scholar
Bar Admissions
  • Illinois
Court Admissions
  • US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
  • US District Court, District of Nebraska
  • US District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • US District Court, Southern District of Ohio
Community Involvements
  • Illinois Supreme Court, Character and Fitness Committee
  • The Chicago American Inn of Court, past president
  • Cove School, Board of Trustees
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • American College of Trial Lawyers
    Fellow, 2016
  • Chambers USA
    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2015–2023
  • US Department of Justice
    Director's Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney Performance Awards
  • US Department of National Intelligence
    Exceptional Achievement Medal
  • Federal Bar Association, Chicago Chapter
    Award for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service, 2023
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
    Director's Award for Excellence in Counter-Terrorism Investigations
  • Federal Executive Board
    Award for Outstanding Law Enforcement Team
  • The Legal 500 United States
    Recommended Attorney, 2022
Award Methodologies