​Daniel J. Szczesny

Daniel J. Szczesny concentrates his practice in the areas of litigation, labor and employment law.

Prior to joining Rathje Woodward LLC, Dan served as an award-winning municipal police officer in suburban Chicagoland. During his time as an officer, Dan was twice recognized as Police Officer of the Year by both his Police Department and his Department’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge. Dan was also featured in “Beyond the Boardroom,” a nationally publicized article in Beta Theta Pi Magazine, for his leadership and public service contributions. While an officer, Dan served as Union President leading two collective bargaining negotiations and representing union members interests before management in various matters. In 2019, he was recognized as an Outstanding Young Alumni by the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Alumni Association.

During law school, Dan represented military veterans pro bono while working in the John Marshall Law School Veterans Legal Clinic. Dan successfully represented service members of the Vietnam War in their appeals from the denial of benefits. Dan also externed for the Honorable Judge John F. Kness of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. At law school, Dan mastered his advocacy skills by serving on the Moot Court Honors Council, winning Best Respondent Oralist in the interscholastic Herzog Moot Court Competition, and winning Best Closing Argument in the Phi Alpha Delta Mock Trial Competition.

Dan is an active community member through his various philanthropic and volunteer endeavors. These efforts have included raising over $10,000 for the Avon Walk Chicago in 2013, donating thousands of dollars to local not-for-profits during his tenure as an executive board member of the River Forest Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #46, and serving as an appointed member of the Illinois Impaired Driving Task Force.