Karen advises public and private institutions of higher education on a range of matters, including faculty, student, and employment matters, investigations, governance questions, and litigation.

Her experience in higher education includes issues arising under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Clery Act, and other federal and state laws and regulations.

Karen has several years of experience as a litigator at leading national law firms. She has represented clients in all stages of federal and state litigation involving commercial, trade secret, employment, consumer finance and property disputes, including appeals and class actions. Earlier in her career, she served as the Legal Fellow in the Office of Legal Counsel at the University of Chicago, where she assisted in drafting and implementing university policies and investigated and responded to charges of discrimination. She also assisted in creating training and compliance programs related to Title IX, the Violence Against Women Act, and the Clery Act.

During law school, Karen received the Llewellyn Cup for second-place finish in the University of Chicago Hinton Moot Court competition and the Thomas R. Mulroy Prize for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy. She also served as a judicial extern for the Hon. James B. Zagel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Research Interests

Faculty Employment, Tenure, and Misconduct; Post-Secondary Students - Admissions; Sponsored Research (Research Misconduct, General Compliance, Data Privacy, and Policy Development); University Governance; Safety on Campus; Organizational and Programmatic Change in Higher Education Institutions

Colleges, universities, and other clients rely on Dan because of his deep knowledge of higher education law and employment law; exceptional judgment; strategic advice; and litigation success. Dan’s work is regularly honored by regional and national ranking organizations.  He is recognized by Chambers USA as a Leading Labor & Employment Lawyer, holds an AV® (preeminent/highest) rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America (2012- Present), Midwest’s Best Lawyers (2021- Present), Illinois Super Lawyers (2006 – Present) and Chicago’s Top-Rated Lawyers (Chicago Tribune and Wall Street Journal). Dan has represented large and small public and private institutions across the country in a wide variety of matters, including:

• Discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disability and other litigation;
• Hiring, disciplining, and terminating employees;
• Medical leaves, accommodations, and disability matters;
• Student matters;
• Litigation avoidance and strategy; and
• Addressing financial challenges.

Dan is passionate about service, including serving on the Board of the National Association of College and University Attorneys. Dan’s commitment to public service includes serving as a Highland Park, IL City Councilperson (2011-21).

Dan has held various leadership roles at Michael Best, including helping to lead the firm’s Higher Education Group, previously serving on the firm’s Management Committee, as the Managing Partner of the Chicago Office, and as the Chair of the Labor & Employment Relations Group.

After graduating law school, Dan clerked for Justice Charles L. Levin on the Michigan Supreme Court (1986-1987).

After graduating law school, Dan clerked for Justice Charles L. Levin on the Michigan Supreme Court (1986-1987).

Research Interests

Litigation avoidance and strategy; retaliation claims; mental disabilities, accommodations and leaves

Joan Trimuel is the Director of Compliance at Feinberg School of Medicine’s Office for Regulatory Affairs.
Joan has been at Northwestern (NU) since June 1999 where she has also worked in NU’s Office of Audit and Advisory Services in Financial Operations.
In 2021, Joan sits as the president of the Northwestern University Staff Advisory Council (NUSAC) and as a past president of Association of Northwestern University Women’s(ANUW), she currently serves as a mentor in their mentor ship program.
Joan is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is a certified public accountant.
Outside of work, Joan serves on the board for Girls on the Run – Chicago, an after-school character development program for girls 3rd – 8th grade. Joan is also a mentor to an amazing high school student in the Link Unlimited program.
Joan’s loving family consists of her supportive husband, Jabari, and inquisitive son, Jordan.