MADISON, Wis. – Jan. 4, 2025 – Daniel Rottier, president of Habush Habush & Rottier, passed away yesterday. In addition to managing the firm, Dan handled complex medical malpractice and product liability cases. While he practiced primarily in Wisconsin, his career brought him to courts in 18 other states as well as the United States Supreme Court.
“As we mourn his abrupt loss, we remember the intelligence, tenacity and conviction Dan brought to the craft of personal injury litigation,” said Timothy Trecek, Habush Habush & Rottier vice president and chief operations officer. “His legacy as one of the nation’s best trial lawyers will live on through the clients for whom he fought so tirelessly, and through the success of the hundreds of lawyers he mentored and developed through his nearly five-decade legal career.”
That career began when Dan graduated from The University of Wisconsin Law School in 1976. A mere 14 years later, he had tried 100 jury trials and was the youngest fellow inducted to the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. In 1992, he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was certified as a civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocates since 1982 and was listed in the Best Lawyers in America for more than 25 years. His most significant honor was being invited to membership in the Inner Circle of Advocates in 2009. This group is limited to the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the United States. Additionally, he was the first attorney to receive Trial Lawyer of the Year twice by the Wisconsin Association for Justice, in 2008 and 2019.
Dan resolved more than 90 cases for over a million dollars. The recovery in 12 of them was over 10 million dollars. He also successfully took on Big Tobacco, litigating the largest lawsuit ever prosecuted in the state of Wisconsin resulting in a master settlement totaling over five billion dollars.
Throughout his career, Dan:
- Served as President of the Wisconsin Association for Justice, as well as its educational arm, the Civil Justice Foundation
- Joined the Board of Governors of the American Association for Justice, Wisconsin Association for Justice, and the State Bar of Wisconsin, where he also served as chairman of the litigation section
- Served as the Board of Visitors at the University of Wisconsin Law School where he also taught trial advocacy and frequently lectured on trial practice techniques and the use of technology in litigation
“Dan was an incredibly tenacious, industry-changing trial lawyer whose impact will be felt for generations thanks to the role he played in making everyday products safer for all of us,” said Robert Habush, former president of Habush Habush & Rottier. “Dan dedicated his life to trial law and to fighting for his clients. The entire legal community has suffered a great loss with his passing.”
Dan’s legacy extends far beyond the courtroom. He is survived by his wife Frankie and their four children.