Thomas R. Dee

For over 30 years, Thomas Dee has helped public and middle-market companies resolve complex commercial disputes and protect critical business assets through strategic litigation and emergency injunctive relief.

He focuses his practice on high-stakes matters involving intellectual property, trade secrets, restrictive covenants, and contract disputes, representing clients ranging from internet-based businesses to Fortune 500 companies, many in the technology and food services sectors.

Tom is experienced in securing swift emergency relief, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, to protect confidential information and business relationships. He has prevailed in matters before federal and state trial and appellate courts, including arguing cases before the Illinois Appellate Court, the Federal Circuit, and the Seventh and Eighth Circuits, as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

With an MBA in finance, Tom combines legal skill with business insight, aligning litigation strategy with each client’s immediate goals and long-term objectives. His experience spans a wide range of complex matters, including breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, unfair competition, and trade secrets claims, and he regularly advises clients on proactive strategies to safeguard at-risk assets and reduce litigation exposure.

In addition to his active litigation practice, Tom serves as a Past Chair of the firm’s Associate Evaluation Committee, sits on the Diversity and Pro Bono Committees, and is a founding member of Vedder’s Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition practice group.

Experience 

• Obtained an injunction against a client's former executive and his competing business enjoining them from competing in the marketplace and utilizing the client's confidential information and trade secrets. Ultimately favorably settled the matter with a permanent injunction and significant damage award.
• Defeated a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction brought by a competitor after our client hired two salespeople terminated by the competitor. After defeating the claims for injunctive relief, successfully moved to dismiss the complaint based upon and overbroad and unenforceable restrictive covenant.
• Served as lead counsel for a Fortune 500 technology company in a false advertising and trade dress infringement case, convincing the court to force the client’s competitor to change both its advertising and the shape and color of its product.
• Successfully defended and obtained summary judgment on behalf of a Fortune 500 technology company in a multimillion-dollar breach of contract case.