Daniel J. Connell

2011
Rising Star
Award Recipient

The recipient of the IDC’s 2011 Rising Star Award is Daniel J. Connell of Resolute Management, Inc., Midwest Division. The Rising Star Award is given annually to the young attorney who has demonstrated involvement and commitment to the defense bar and the association.

IDC Board member Howard Jump of Jump & Associates, P.C. describes Connell as an exemplary lawyer and a dedicated member of the IDC. He credits Connell with helping to revitalize the Young Lawyers Division (YLD). Jump said, "Dan was always behind the scenes and always willing to pitch in and make things happen.”

An IDC member since 2007, Connell has distinguished himself for his willingness to take on challenging leadership roles. In what was only his second year as a member, he chaired the 2008 Fall Conference. He was 2009-2010 Co-Editor of the YLD Newsletter, and Co-Chair for the 2010 YLD Seminar. Connell served on the joint bar associations (IDC, CBA, ISBA) committee for "Judicial Selection in Illinois: A Judicial Symposium on Election and Appointive Systems" (October, 2010). Currently, he is an active member of the Tort Committee and the Membership Committee.

It was a conversation with former IDC President Gregory Cochran that led Connell to consider joining the association. As Connell remembers, "In 2007, I worked for Greg Cochran and I asked him if he could recommend a bar organization. He not only recommended IDC, but specifically suggested the YLD. There was a lot going on in the YLD – blood drives, winter clothing drives, lunch hour speaker presentations, YLD quarterly newsletter, YLD seminar, nightly social events, etc. There was so much going on that it was impossible not to get involved in some aspect of YLD. The overall environment is very friendly and high energy. I was encouraged to take leadership roles, which I never really had done before. ”

When asked why a young attorney should join IDC, Connell’s response was immediate, "For growth. On a personal level, I made several friends in the YLD. The YLD and IDC are made up of very friendly individuals with high character, who are always encouraging its members not only to get involved, but to lead. You really feel like you are part of something special. On a professional level, you are always learning. The IDC holds seminars on current legal trends relevant to legal defense several times throughout the year. Furthermore, your network is continuously growing. You can't walk away from an IDC event without having met at least two to three people that have some connection or relevance to the legal profession.”

Connell is an Attorney/Claims Specialist for Resolute Management, Inc. (Midwest Division), Chicago. He received his Juris Doctorate from DePaul University College of Law in 2000. He also serves as pro-bono counsel for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) and was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from CVLS in 2008.