Mr. Fries has extensive trial practice, arbitration, and mediation experience in complex litigation disputes throughout the United States.
He serves on the Executive Committee of Lathrop & Gage LLP, and chairs the firm's Litigation Division.
His experience includes disputes arising from general business transactions, director and officer liability claims, real estate transactions, shareholder and securities litigation, partnership disputes, insurance coverage disputes, consumer class action and single plaintiff claims, banking related claims, and a variety of breach of contract and fraud claims.
Mr. Fries has also represented individuals and businesses in professional malpractice and catastrophic injury claims.
Some of his recent cases include the following:
- Defense of numerous cases brought by customers of one of the world's largest financial institutions.
- Defense of title insurance company in class action seeking nationwide certification of class.
- Representation of international company in litigation relating to asset sale agreement.
- Several cases involving representation of limited partners and general partners in breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
- Representation of purchasers in fraud case resulting from commercial real estate transactions with underlying environmental contamination.
- Representation of telemarketing entities in national class actions and attorney general investigations.
- Representation of educational product licensor in dispute with licensees.
- Representation of employers in enforcement of restrictive covenants with former employees.
- Defense of directors and officers of insurance company in action brought by receiver.
- Representation of seller of manufacturing facility in indemnity and breach of contract action brought by purchaser relating to environmental liabilities.
- Representation of insureds in coverage disputes with insurance companies.
- Pro bono representation of board of directors of charitable organization.
Mr. Fries is a frequent speaker at legal seminars, and is active in coaching and officiating youth sports.
Prior to attending law school, Mr. Fries was a financial analyst and examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
