Daniel A. Kaufman

Daniel A. Kaufman is an Instructor in Higher Education Administration and Policy at Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy (SESP), concurrently serving as Partner at Michael Best & Friedrich LLP. His expertise spans higher education law, employment litigation, and institutional governance. He advises universities on discrimination, accommodations, and regulatory compliance while maintaining a litigation practice focused on retaliation claims and disability matters.

Education: JD from University of Chicago Law School (1986), BA from Amherst College (1983). Professional experience includes clerkship on the Michigan Supreme Court and leadership roles at Michael Best, such as Managing Partner of the Chicago Office and Chair of the Labor & Employment Group. He also served on the Highland Park City Council (2011–2021).

• Research Interests: Litigation strategy, mental health accommodations, and legal challenges in higher education administration.
• Awards: Consistently recognized in national legal rankings for labor/employment law expertise.

Leadership: Active contributor to the National Association of College and University Attorneys and former head of Michael Best’s Higher Education Group. His work bridges academic policy and legal practice, emphasizing proactive compliance and institutional resilience.