Daniel Tranen is a litigator who focuses his practice in a number of areas, including commercial litigation, products liability, professional liability, insurance coverage disputes and ERISA litigation.
A substantial portion of Mr. Tranen’s practice is focused in products liability defense. He is part of a team that is serving as national coordinating counsel for B. Braun Medical Inc. on all heparin and flush syringe litigation. He also worked on a team as national coordinating counsel for I-Flow Corporation in national pain pump litigation. Mr. Tranen’s other representative cases include:
Professional Liability
- Kroner v. Deer & Stone, PC., 07 L 6784 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois (2009)) – successful motion for summary judgment on legal malpractice claim. Divorce lawyer was sued by client contending that the lawyer failed to obtain a reasonable settlement for her due to the lawyer’s negligent handling of the case. Trial court dismissed the case since the client could not prove that she had suffered any damages given her prior admission that she received a fair and reasonable settlement (during the divorce prove up) and her subsequent admission that she was not coerced into lying at that prove up.
- Ghilarducci v. Forrest, 05 L 10882 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois (2009)) – after trial assignment, trial judge granted motion for reconsideration on summary judgment and several motions in limine which gutted plaintiff’s case. On the morning of jury selection, plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his case. This was a legal malpractice case arising out of mishandling of foreclosure litigation relating to several Chicago area car washes.
- Redmond v. Kogan, 08 L 377 (Circuit Court of Winnebago County, Illinois (2009)) – successfully moved to dismiss legal malpractice claim on the basis that subsequent counsel’s poor arguments to protect plaintiff’s interests, and subsequent failure to file an appeal of a bad judicial decision were the cause in fact of any injury suffered by plaintiff as a result of defendant’s alleged negligent delay in paying a transfer fee.
- Ng v. Deer & Stone P.C. , 2007 L 005368 (Circuit Court of Cook County (2009)) – successfully moved for summary judgment on legal malpractice claim that lawyer’s failure to act led to plaintiff’s inability to secure permanent residency in the United States. Court agreed that plaintiff was not qualified to obtain residency, and therefore, suffered no damages from legal malpractice.
- Zvunca et al. v. Motor Coach Industries International, Inc. et al., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15408 (N.D. Ill) – successfully moved to dismiss legal malpractice and other claims against guardian ad litem based upon attorney’s qualified immunity from suit. This was a legal malpractice case regarding attorney guardian’s role in a wrongful death suit involving a minor plaintiff.
- Rodriguez v. Della Croce, 05 CH 1628 (Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois (2008)) – successfully moved to dismiss legal malpractice claim arising out of the financing of a real estate transaction. Court granted motion to dismiss finding that plaintiff could not state a claim for damages against her lawyer.
- Murlas v. Madden et. al., 2007 L 012042 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois (2008)) – successfully argued motion to dismiss legal malpractice claim arising out of the alleged failure to properly bring a 2-140I petition. Court granted motion to dismiss finding that plaintiff could not plead or prove proximate cause for his injury.
- Strimbu v. Maduff & Maduff, 2007-L-008375 (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois (2007)) – successfully argued motion to dismiss legal malpractice claim based upon viability of claim after termination of lawyer, who represented plaintiff in an employment claim.
- Fine v. Redfield, et al., No. 00 L 5211 (Circuit Court Cook County, Illinois (2003)) – second chair trial in which plaintiff sought more than $10 million in damages arising from underlying bankruptcy proceeding. Case settled for less than cost of defense on fourth day of jury trial during cross examination of plaintiff.
- Brooks-Tyson v. Willoughby & Hopkins, et al., (Circuit Court of Macon County, Illinois (2003)) – successfully argued motion for summary judgment in $1 million legal malpractice claim involving an alleged botched workers’ compensation representation.
Coverage Litigation
- C. White Marine, Inc. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London, ESCV2009-01028-A (Essex County, MA. (2010)) – successfully argued motion for summary judgment on coverage under a CGL policy for damage to a crane transported by the insured. Court enforced mobile equipment exclusion in granting the motion.
- Admiral v. SONICblue, Inc. et. al., 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 71935 (N.D. CaL) – successfully argued motion for summary judgment on rescission of Admiral D&O policy based upon misrepresentations regarding demands for money and services made during the procurement of the Admiral policy.
- Macey v. Carolina Casualty Ins. Co., 585 F.Supp.2d 277 (D. Conn. 2008) – successfully briefed and argued motion for summary judgment in $3.5 million claim for insurance coverage under a D&O policy of insurance. Convinced district court judge that I v. I exclusion in policy precluded coverage for claim.
- Qualcomm., Inc. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, 161 Cal.App.4th 184 (2008) – defense demurrer was sustained on the grounds that Qualcomm’s settlement with an underlying layer of insurance coverage precluded it from any recovery from the Lloyd’s excess layer. Successfully convinced the appellate court to affirm in decision certified for publication. Review was denied by the California Supreme Court.
- Leff Construction v. United National Insurance Company, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 50521 (N.D. Ill.) – motion to dismiss granted on policy exclusion on request for coverage under a CGL policy by additional insured under the policy after a serious construction accident.
- Equifin v. Admiral Insurance Company, MON-L-3075-06, Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth County (November 27, 2006) – successful motion to dismiss claim under a D&O policy based upon a creditor’s exclusion endorsement to the policy.
- Flagstar Bank FSB v. Federal Insurance Co. & Continental Casualty Co., 2006 LEXIS 55228 (E.D. Mich. August 9, 2006) – obtained summary judgment in favor of Continental Casualty Co. on damages. Flagstar sought a recovery of $9 million from Continental on its $15 million excess fidelity bond as a result of a $19 million fraud scheme. Judgment affirmed on appeal before the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
- Enterprise Renter-A-Car v. United Auto Ins. Co., 04 CH 18125, Circuit Court of Cook County (2006) – obtained summary judgment in favor of Enterprise whereby the court declared that United Auto and State Farm policies had to be exhausted before victim in auto accident could seek payment from Enterprise.
- Alanco Technologies, Inc. v. Carolina Casualty Co., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 31988 (D. Ariz.) – worked with D&O group to get summary judgment in favor of Carolina Casualty on Alanco’s claim for attorneys fees for case in which restitutionary damages were sought.
- In re Spree.com, 295 B.R. 762 (E.D.Pa. 2003) – summary judgment obtained in a D&O coverage action involving a former director of Spree.com sued by the debtor in possession of Spree.com for causing the bankruptcy. Successfully argued that the directors has no standing to bring a suit because they had no personal loss.
- Conseco, Inc. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, P.A., et al., 2002 WL 31961447 (Ind. Cir. December 31, 2002) – worked on team which successfully argued, in a case of first impression in the U.S., that the settlement of claims under Section 11 of the Securities Act was not a coverage loss under the D&O policy. Obtained a dismissal of a $25 Million claim for coverage.
ERISA Litigation
- Erlitz v. Cracker Barrel et al., 416 F.Supp.2d 711 (E.D.MO 2006) - after a bench trial, obtained a defense verdict in favor of Prudential on a group life insurance claim in which beneficiary sought benefits for group policy which had been cancelled before the insured’s death.
- Scott v. Prudential Insurance Company of America, 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1251 (W.D. Mich.) – obtained summary judgment in favor of Prudential on arbitrary and capricious standard of review and in ruling in favor of Prudential on Scott’s claim for long term disability benefits.
- Caldwell v. Prudential Insurance Company of America, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11686 (E.D. Mich.) – obtained summary judgment ruling in favor of Prudential on plaintiff’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies.
- Newport v. Prudential Insurance Company of America, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14104 (E.D. Mich.) – obtained summary judgment ruling in favor of Prudential on plaintiff’s claim for long-term disability benefits.
Life Insurance Litigation
- Poulos v. American Skandia Life Assurance Company, 2007 Mich. App. LEXIS 2837 – obtained summary disposition in favor of American Skandia on claim by beneficiaries for death benefit. Defeated allegations that annuity was ambiguous regarding conditions for payment of death benefit. Affirmed on appeal after oral argument.
- McReynolds v. Prudential Insurance Company of America, 276 Ga.App. 747 (2005) – obtained summary judgment in favor of Prudential on claim by first wife of insured for life insurance benefits which were paid to insured’s second wife. Affirmed on appeal.
Maritime Litigation
- Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Corp. v. Beelman River Terminals, Inc., 254 F.3d 706 (8th Cir. 2001) – worked on appeal which overturned an adverse jury verdict in case involving damage to 300 tons of steel as a result of the 1993 Mississippi River flooding in St. Louis.
- Stephens v. Kraska, 991 S.W.2d 155 (Mo.App. 1999) – successfully argued application of maritime law to boating accident and obtained dismissal on limitations grounds. Decision affirmed on appeal.
Commercial Litigation
- Green v. Rogers, 06 L 208, Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois (2006) – obtained dismissal of complaint seeking damages against the President of the Clarendon Hills Little League based upon allegations of defamation and conspiracy; dismissal affirmed by Illinois Supreme Court at 234 Ill.2d 478.
- Marchmann v. Kovel Fuller et. al., 06 C 1130 (N.D. Ill. 2008) – obtained dismissal on motion to dismiss plaintiffs claims of consumer fraud, invasion of privacy, and alleged violation of the Illinois Publicity Act. Plaintiff alleged that Kovel Fuller and Pacific Life Insurance Company misappropriated his image and used it in a Pacific Life television commercial.
- West Branch Little League et al. v. Little League Baseball, Inc., 07-656359-CZ (2007) (Circuit Court Ogemaw County, Michigan) – obtained order dismissing petition for injunction filed by little league team to stop the Little League playoffs (in advance of the world series) over dispute regarding West Branch team’s eligibility to play in tournament.
- Koresko v. Benistar et al., 1:04-CY-5183, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (January 3, 2007) – obtained dismissal on behalf of pension plan provider of multiple claims including business torts, abuse of process, defamation and RICO claims through motions to dismiss (affirmed on appeal).
- Department of Transportation v. 1.8273 Acres of Land, et al., 96-V-478 (Superior Court of Georgia, Butts County, 2001) – second chair in trial in which we successfully defended condemnation monies paid by the department of transportation from a claim by a third party, who claimed an interest in the land.
- Mansour Properties. v. Reinhardt College, Inc., 252 Ga. App. 214 (October 2001) – obtained summary judgment in dispute over a substantial commercial real estate commission. This favorable decision was upheld on appeal.
Arbitrations
- Stroud v. MacCready-MiIler and Financial Planning Systems, Inc,. FINRA No. 08-2927 (2009) – tried arbitration case to verdict: defense verdict on all claims. Claim involved assertion that respondents breached fiduciary duties by failing to monitor account and suggest removal of funds to pay mortgage.
- U.S. Life Ins. Co. v. Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Co. – in a private arbitration (2006) hearing involving an insurer/reinsurer dispute, helped insurer obtain a substantial award against the reinsurer.
- Jatzo v. American General Equity Services Corp., NASD No. 05-2397 (2006) – tried arbitration case through first half of final hearing. Settled on very favorable terms at the conclusion of claimants’ case. Claim involved assertion that respondents placed claimants in unsuitable investments.
Mr. Tranen joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in May 2010. Previously he was a partner in the Boston office of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP.
Mr. Tranen began his legal career in St. Louis, Missouri in 1997, where he worked primarily on maritime litigation matters. In early 2000, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he worked on complex commercial matters, construction litigation, banking litigation and employment disputes. In mid-2002, Mr. Tranen moved to Chicago, where he joined Wilson Elser. He moved to their Boston office in 2009.
He was named to the attorney “honor roll” for MedMarc Insurance Company in 2011 for his work on the B. Braun Medical, Inc. heparin litigation, and in 2010 for his work on the I-Flow litigation.
In 2010, Mr. Tranen was named to the
Rising Stars list in the area of Class Actions / Mass Torts by
New England Super Lawyers & Rising Stars magazine. This designation is reserved for only 2.5 percent of all attorneys in New England. In 2009, he was named to the
Rising Stars list in the area of Insurance Coverage by
Illinois Super Lawyers Magazine and which appeared in
Chicago Magazine.
He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute.
Mr. Tranen is a co-author of “Retaliatory Litigation,” a chapter in "Handling Fidelity Bond Claims, Second Edition," published by the American Bar Association in 2005. A selection of his other publications includes:
- “Ethics for Lawyers as Party Arbitrators,” HarrisMartin Publishing, June 2011.
- “Attacking the Quotient Verdict,” co-author, Illinois Bar Journal, Vol. 97, No. 8, August 2009.
- “Warehouse Lending Losses Due to Forged Promissory Notes: Are Financial Institution Bonds Susceptible?” co-author, For the Defense, March 2009.
- “Recent Developments in Insurance Coverage Litigation,” contributing author, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Vol. 44, No. 2, Winter 2009.
- “Excess Carrier Not Obligated Where Underlying Coverage Not Exhausted,” co-author, Professional Liability Underwriting Society Journal, Vol. XXI, No. 9, September 2008.
- “Treating Physician’s Opinions Insufficient to Show Total Disability,” co-author, Life, Health and Disability News, Fall 2004.
- “The Modern Parol Evidence Rule and Its Implications for New Textualist Statutory Interpretation,” co-author, The Georgetown Law Journal, Vol. 87, No. 1, October 1998.
Mr. Tranen has delivered a number of in-house seminars on federal pleadings and discovery strategies, and he speaks regularly to a variety of organizations. His presentations include:
- “Attorney-Client Privilege Waivers in the Defense of Depositions,” West LegalEdCenter live webcast, May 2012.
- “Get Your Damn Hands off My Drafting Histories: Back to the Future on the Age-Old Discovery Dispute,” American Bar Association 2012 Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE seminar, Tucson, Arizona, March 2012.
- “Legal Ethics: How to Avoid Being Sued for Legal Malpractice,” National Business Institute, live teleconference, December 2011.
- "Plan and Prepare, Part Three: The Roles of the Responders,” Hinshaw’s 2011 Insurance Services Symposium, Chicago, Illinois, October 2011.
- “Ethical Considerations for Lawyers Serving as Umpires and Arbitrators,” HarrisMartin Reinsurance Summit: Fresh Perspectives on the Reinsurance Front, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 2011.
- “Is It OK to Be Wrong? Can an Insurer Avoid an Extra-Contractual Liability if its Position is Fairly Debatable?” Hinshaw’s Annual Insurance Services Symposium, Chicago, Illinois, October 2010.
- “Vendor Coverage,” Medmarc Insurance Company, Chantilly, Virginia, October 2010.
- “Effect of the Qualcomm Decision,” Mid-Year Meeting of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Section of the American Bar Association, Phoenix, Arizona, February 2010.
- “Thirteen Steps to Avoiding Legal Malpractice Claims,” National Business Institute, Inc., teleconference, December 2009.
- “Warehouse Lending Losses, Causation and Coverage Under a Financial Institution Bond,” DRI Fidelity & Surety Roundtable, Chicago, Illinois, May 2009.
- “The Ethical Implications of the Attorney Client Privilege,” Lorman Education Services, Chicago, Illinois, April 2009 and April 2008.
- “Considerations for Attorneys Representing Insurer-Clients Who are Sued for Bad Faith,” National Business Institute, Inc., Illinois, March 2009.
- “Who Is the Client? Implications for Attorney Liability,” Young Lawyers Section, Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, October 2008.
- “Twelve Steps to Avoid Legal Malpractice Claims,” National Business Institute, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, June 2008.
- “How to Avoid Bad Faith Claims in the Fidelity Bond Context,” Surety Claims Institute 32nd Annual Meeting and Seminar, June 2007.