Daniel L. (D.L.) Morriss
Daniel L. (D.L.) Morriss
Partner
He/Him
"What drives me every day is the belief that we are more effective together than we are alone. Finding and working with like-minded individuals who understand the value of our collective strength in serving clients is both the most meaningful and rewarding to me."
Daniel L. (D.L.) Morriss
Partner
He/Him
"What drives me every day is the belief that we are more effective together than we are alone. Finding and working with like-minded individuals who understand the value of our collective strength in serving clients is both the most meaningful and rewarding to me."
About D.L.
D.L. represents and defends financial institutions at the regional and national levels. His counsel spans tort, contract, and statutory claims, including complex commercial foreclosure, guaranty and loan liability actions, and post-judgment collections. He has obtained high-value judgments in large, contested commercial foreclosure cases and has successfully defended and secured the dismissal of lender liability claims involving tort, contract, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) issues. D.L. also handles UCC matters more broadly, including those related to commercial loan collection and retail banking disputes involving wire and check fraud schemes. In addition, he advises on bankruptcy and creditors' rights issues. In addition, he advises on bankruptcy and creditors' rights issues.
D.L. regularly engaged in general litigation, including matters involving commercial landlords and tenants in property management disputes, as well as internal management, contract, and tort issues for corporate clients. In addition to his practice, D.L. serves as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Partner of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, where he oversees the firm’s culture groups and civic engagements.
Areas of Focus
Experience
- Obtained summary judgment and affirmed on appeal in defense of contested foreclosure action in which borrower challenged the authority of the foreclosing mortgagee based on claims of fraud, invalid assignment of mortgage, and improper foreclosure.
- Obtained summary judgment in defense of a contested foreclosure action in the which borrower alleged deficiencies in notice of default as condition precedent to foreclosure.
- Obtained a dismissal of claims against a lender by bankrupt debtor asserting lack of standing and asserting rights under pooling and servicing agreement.
- Successfully defended a lender’s interests following a foreclosure deed in tax petition dispute.
- Successfully defended a lender in dispute with condominium association on liability for outstanding assessments following foreclosure.
Recognition
- Crain's Chicago Business, Notable Leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, 2023; Notable Black Leader and Executive, 2021; Notable Minority Lawyer, 2021
- Leading Lawyers Magazine, Emerging Leader, 2015 – 2019
- DePaul University College of Law, CALI Award for Judicial & Scholarly Writing; Black Law Student Association Scholarship; Law Achievement Scholarship; Dean’s List
Credentials
Education
- DePaul University College of Law, JD, 2008
- Wheaton College, BA, 2005
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
- New York
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Thought Leadership
Presentations
- Co-Presenter, "Navigating the Shifting Sands of DEI: Distinguishing Legal from Illegal Practices," National Bar Association's 100th Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, July 31, 2025
- Opening Keynote, Leaders League Alliance Summit: Law & Innovation, Miami, Florida, June 10, 2025
- Panelist, "Affinity Groups and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Is Your Law Office Using (and Empowering) Them Most Effectively?," Practising Law Institute, Virtual and in New York, New York, May 9, 2025
- Panelist, "Stephen Denyer Memorial DEI Roundtable Discussions," North American/European Summit, Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP), London, United Kingdom, April 30, 2025
Events
- D.L. Morriss and Mohamed F. Sweify Present at the NYSBA International Arbitration Conference in Hamburg, Germany, Oct 15, 2025
- D.L. Morriss Keynotes Firm-Sponsored Leaders League Alliance Summit: Law & Innovation, Jun 10, 2025
- Ed Lenci and D.L. Morriss Advance Global Legal Dialogue, May 18, 2025
- D.L. Morriss Speaks on Effective Affinity Groups at PLI Conference, May 9, 2025
- D.L. Morriss Participates in "DEI in a Global Environment" Summit, Apr 28, 2025
Hinshaw Newsletters
- The Report Card - February 2013 Edition, Feb 28, 2013
- Employment Practices Alert - February 2010 Edition, Feb 1, 2010
In The News
Press Releases
- Hinshaw Issues 2024 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Report: "Stitching Together the Stories of All", Apr 30, 2024
- New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) International Section Elects Two Hinshaw Attorneys to Leadership Positions, Mar 6, 2024
- D.L. Morriss Named to the 2024 Fellowship Class and Elizabeth Heredia and Sabrina Janeiro Named to the 2024 Pathfinder Program of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Feb 7, 2024
- Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Recognized as a 2023 Thomas L. Sager Award Finalist by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Oct 19, 2023
- Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Announces Back-to-Back Mansfield Rule Certification with 5.0 and New 6.0 Achievement, Oct 10, 2023
Webinars
- Ed Lenci and D.L. Morriss to Participate in NYSBA Program on Marriage Equality and Anti-Discrimination Legislation in the U.S. and Japan, Jun 24, 2021
- Hinshaw's Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov 20, 2020
- Webinar Hosted by From Day One: D.L. Morriss and David Alfini to Discuss Impact of Employee Resource Groups on Diversity, May 28, 2020
- D.L. Morriss to Discuss COVID-19 Impacts in the U.S., South Africa, and Japan in NYSBA Webinar, Apr 22, 2020
Interests
Did you know...
D.L. is a strong advocate for mental health and wellness, and his favorite hobby is attending yoga and mindfulness retreats.
Community/Civic Activities
- The Joffrey Ballet, Board of Directors, 2016 – present
- Breakthrough Young Professionals, Board Member, 2015 – present; Events Committee
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Boys & Girls Club, Board Member, 2010 – 2013; Programming Chair, 2013
Thought Leadership
Presentations
- Co-Presenter, "Navigating the Shifting Sands of DEI: Distinguishing Legal from Illegal Practices," National Bar Association's 100th Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois, July 31, 2025
- Opening Keynote, Leaders League Alliance Summit: Law & Innovation, Miami, Florida, June 10, 2025
- Panelist, "Affinity Groups and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Is Your Law Office Using (and Empowering) Them Most Effectively?," Practising Law Institute, Virtual and in New York, New York, May 9, 2025
- Panelist, "Stephen Denyer Memorial DEI Roundtable Discussions," North American/European Summit, Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP), London, United Kingdom, April 30, 2025
Events
- D.L. Morriss and Mohamed F. Sweify Present at the NYSBA International Arbitration Conference in Hamburg, Germany, Oct 15, 2025
- D.L. Morriss Keynotes Firm-Sponsored Leaders League Alliance Summit: Law & Innovation, Jun 10, 2025
- Ed Lenci and D.L. Morriss Advance Global Legal Dialogue, May 18, 2025
- D.L. Morriss Speaks on Effective Affinity Groups at PLI Conference, May 9, 2025
- D.L. Morriss Participates in "DEI in a Global Environment" Summit, Apr 28, 2025
Hinshaw Newsletters
- The Report Card - February 2013 Edition, Feb 28, 2013
- Employment Practices Alert - February 2010 Edition, Feb 1, 2010
In The News
Press Releases
- Hinshaw Issues 2024 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Report: "Stitching Together the Stories of All", Apr 30, 2024
- New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) International Section Elects Two Hinshaw Attorneys to Leadership Positions, Mar 6, 2024
- D.L. Morriss Named to the 2024 Fellowship Class and Elizabeth Heredia and Sabrina Janeiro Named to the 2024 Pathfinder Program of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Feb 7, 2024
- Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Recognized as a 2023 Thomas L. Sager Award Finalist by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Oct 19, 2023
- Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Announces Back-to-Back Mansfield Rule Certification with 5.0 and New 6.0 Achievement, Oct 10, 2023
Webinars
- Ed Lenci and D.L. Morriss to Participate in NYSBA Program on Marriage Equality and Anti-Discrimination Legislation in the U.S. and Japan, Jun 24, 2021
- Hinshaw's Transgender Day of Remembrance, Nov 20, 2020
- Webinar Hosted by From Day One: D.L. Morriss and David Alfini to Discuss Impact of Employee Resource Groups on Diversity, May 28, 2020
- D.L. Morriss to Discuss COVID-19 Impacts in the U.S., South Africa, and Japan in NYSBA Webinar, Apr 22, 2020
D.L.'s Insights
Event
May 18, 2025
Event
May 18, 2025
Event
Apr 28, 2025
D.L. Morriss Participates in "DEI in a Global Environment" Summit
Press Release
Apr 30, 2024
Hinshaw Issues 2024 Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Report: "Stitching Together the Stories of All"
