Danielle Mikhail

Danielle Mikhail defends local government entities and employees in 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights claims, including substantive and procedural Due Process allegations such as state-created danger, excessive force, wrongful prosecution, and wrongful search or seizure. She also defends clients against Illinois state law claims, primarily focusing on wrongful death, survival actions, negligence, and breach of contract claims. Danielle actively litigates evidentiary hearings before the Chicago Police Board, representing the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department in cases seeking the termination of officers for misconduct. Understanding the stress and sensitivity associated with being sued, Danielle maintains personable relationships with her clients while rigorously advocating for them throughout the litigation process.

Prior to joining Hinshaw, Danielle served for four years as an Assistant State’s Attorney of Cook County in the Civil Actions Bureau, Civil Rights and Torts Unit. She defended Cook County employees and the County against individual claims, class actions, and Seventh Circuit Appeals involving Section 1983 civil rights violations, as well as state law claims of personal injury, premises liability, and wrongful death.

While in law school, Danielle was fortunate to extern for the Honorable Matthew F. Kennelly in the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. She clerked in the Special Prosecutions and Civil Actions Bureaus of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. With her 711 license, she conducted several bench trials in the Seniors & Persons with Disabilities Unit and the Traffic Unit and actively participated in court appearances and motion practice in the Conflicts Unit.

• Chicago-Kent College of Law at Illinois Institute of Technology
  • CALI Award for Highest Grade, Compliance in Financial Institutions
  • Dean's List

• Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of the Cook County Sheriff in a wrongful death jury trial involving allegations of neglect of a jail detainee. The plaintiff sought over $2.3 million in damages.
• As Special Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, obtained a guilty decision against a police officer charged with misconduct, after an administrative evidentiary hearing before the Chicago Police Board, resulting in employment discharge.
• Successfully defended against motion for class certification in a high-profile class-action lawsuit involving allegations of constitutional violations at the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center.
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice on seven different lawsuits alleging constitutional violations at the Cook County Jail in a single motion to dismiss based upon fraud on the Court.
• Successfully defended appeal on behalf of numerous medical professionals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit involving allegations of constitutional violations at the Cook County Jail.
• Obtained multiple summary judgments in Section 1983 civil rights cases involving allegations of constitutional violations at the Cook County Jail.
• Obtained summary judgment in a motor vehicle accident suit involving three separate parties and a counterclaim.
• Obtained prosecution verdict in a petition for Court Order of Detention and Examination involving a mentally ill individual at risk of serious physical harm to themselves or others.

• Co-Presenter, "’Control’ by Janet Jackson: Controlling Document Discovery Under Rule 34," Hinshaw University CLE, Virtual and Chicago, Illinois, July 18, 2024
• Host, "Paving the Way: Legal Action in Response to Hate Crimes and Speech Against Arabs," CLE hosted by the Mediterranean Plus Affinity Network at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Virtual and live in Chicago, Illinois, April 3, 2024
• Co-Presenter, "Discovery and Motions to Compel," CLE, Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Civil Actions Bureau, February 27, 2019