Mr. Thies concentrates his practice in the areas of business representation and general litigation. He has handled numerous matters in trial and appellate jurisdictions throughout Illinois. Noteworthy cases have included: successfully litigating as lead counsel the case of Mills vs. Health Care Service Corporation, in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (establishing new law in the area of reverse gender discrimination); and, acting as co-counsel on behalf of the successful appellant in two significant Illinois Consumer Fraud Act putative class actions litigated in the Illinois Supreme Court, Shannon v. Boise Cascade Corporation, and Oliveira v. Amoco Oil Company.Mr. Thies finds it particularly gratifying to assist clients in their efforts to avoid disputes. In this regard, he has counseled clients on how to anticipate and minimize their risks of litigation. He very much enjoys working with clients to find creative ways to reduce the number of litigated matters. Mr. Thies has had significant experience with Alternative Dispute Resolution. For example, he was lead defense counsel in the resolution of four related putative class actions filed in multiple federal and state jurisdictions in Illinois, the lead case - after mediation - receiving final settlement approval in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.Specialties: The Supreme Court of Illinois does not recognize specialities in the practice of law, and Mr. Thies does not hold himself out as a specialist. However, he concentrates his practice in the areas of business representation and general litigation.