DANIEL M. FEENEY, PARTNER
dfeeney@millershakman.com
(312) 759-7246
Daniel M. Feeney

Mr. Feeney has experience in a variety of commercial litigation matters, including antitrust defense, corporate control and fiduciary duty disputes, and restrictive covenant and trade secret litigation. In addition, he has substantial experience defending lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice suits and advising law firms and lawyers regarding their professional and ethical obligations. He has been teaching legal ethics as a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School for nearly a decade. Mr. Feeney also regularly advises clients in disputes with governmental entities, including land use, public contracting and FOIA matters. His practice encompasses cases in both state and federal courts at the trial and appellate level.

Selected Engagements


Defended integrated supplier of chicken in several national antitrust actions alleging that U.S. chicken producers conspired to restrict supply and fix pricing, including obtaining summary judgment on all claims advanced by grocery chains and classes of direct purchasers and commercial indirect purchasers.

Represented international law firm in defense of nine-figure malpractice claims involving taxation of hedge fund's domestic and foreign partnership affiliates.

Litigated multiple cases involving the recording industry, including defending international recording artist against claims of copyright infringement and representing a law firm in a dispute over the value of a catalog of unreleased recordings of David Bowie and John Mellencamp.

Defended law firm against allegations of negligent drafting of an opinion letter in connection with publicly financed transaction, obtaining dismissal of claims after district court and appellate court ruled in client’s favor on question of first impression regarding statutory interpretation.

Defending large law firms and attorneys in connection with a variety of malpractice and fiduciary duty claims arising from litigation, corporate transactions, estate planning matters, secured lending, and tax advice.

Represented employers, employees and competitors in disputes regarding restrictive covenants, trade secrets and fiduciary breaches, including federal litigation involving an international consulting group that relocated to a competitor.

Brought federal action on behalf of a satellite television provider against a competitor, asserting violations of cable piracy statute. Obtained injunctive relief in the District Court and successfully defended that ruling before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Defended corporate executive against claims brought by a large investment bank alleging inducement of a fiduciary breach.

Served as lead counsel representing bank in defense of lender liability claims regarding large commercial loan asserted by unsecured creditors in bankruptcy adversary proceeding.

Defended international consumer products company against state and federal claims that it had used a model’s image on packaging without authorization, handling matter through appeal.

Represented general partner in an injunctive and accounting action regarding the sale of partnership assets and dissolution of the partnership, serving as lead counsel during injunction trial and final trial on accounting.

Represented journalists, media companies, academics and public interest NGOs seeking public records through the federal and Illinois Freedom of Information Acts, including litigation in federal and state court challenging FOIA denials by government bodies.

Represented individual before the Illinois Supreme Court in her successful constitutional challenge to a prosecution brought under the Illinois Eavesdropping Statute.

Appointed by District Court to represent expelled union member pursuing claim against union for retaliation under the ADEA and LMRA. Obtained verdict after federal jury trial and defended verdict before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Education

J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1994
Graduated cum laude


B.A., DePaul University, Political Science, 1991
Graduated magna cum laude

Experience

Partner with this firm since 2003; Associate from 1998-2002

Lecturer in Law, University of Chicago Law School, 2016-present

Chair, Committee on Attorney Malpractice, Chicago Bar Association, 2013-2014

Law clerk to the Hon. Barbara B. Crabb, U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1996-1998

Associate in the Chicago office of Skadden, Arps, 1994-1996

Bar Admissions

Illinois, 1994

U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Central Districts of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

Memberships

American Bar Association

Chicago Council of Lawyers

Chicago Bar Association

Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers

Board of Directors, Chicago Youth Centers, Board Chair, 2016 to 2018

Board of Directors, Marketplace Handwork of India; Board Chair 2011 to 2015

Selected Publications and Presentations

“Why Claims Against Lawyers For Breach Of Fiduciary Duty Are Becoming Extinct,” Chicago Bar Association Record, January 2012. Written with Michael L. Shakman and Alexandra K. Block.

“Termination of the Attorney-Client Relationship and Obligations to Former Clients,” presented at Chicago Bar Association Professional Responsibility Committee Annual Seminar.

“Waivable and Unwaivable Conflicts of Interest,” presented with Jennifer E. Smiley at the 2007 Illinois State Bar Association annual Small Firm and Solo Practitioner Conference.

“You Wrote it But Who Owns It? An Overview of Copyright Law,” American College of Emergency Physicians ACEP News, Volume 23, No. 8 September 2004. Written with Bradley L. Cohn