Dean A. Dickie

Experience

Dean's trial experience has been diverse and extensive. He has tried cases to judgment and verdict throughout the U.S.  He has represented officers, directors, and corporations in a variety of matters including securities fraud, insider trading, breach of fiduciary duty, accounting malpractice, Securities Exchange arbitration, usurpation of corporate opportunities and employment discrimination claims.  He has extensive jury trial experience in all kinds of intellectual property matters, construction litigation, professional and product liability claims, first party insurance litigation, including bad faith claims against the carriers, and class action matters representing both defendants and the class.

Representative Matters

• Casino Class Action Defense

  Defended an Illinois casino in a sex harassment/hostile work environment class action lawsuit and successfully defeated the motion for class certification.

• Corporate Officer Indemnification Litigation

  Won a jury trial in the U.S. District Court of Fort Worth, Texas involving an indemnification claim brought by the former president and COO against his former employer and  major U.S. airline company.

• Corporate Officer Insider Trading Defense

  Lead trial counsel in Securities and Exchange Commission action against former chairman of the board of hair salon franchise for insider trading.

• Corporate Policyholder Claim

  Successfully prosecuted a policyholder’s multi-million dollar claim for environmental cleanup costs, including reimbursements of attorney’s fees and costs.

• Electrical and Electronic Devices Manufacturer Hostile Takeover Defense

  Successfully guided electrical and electronic devices manufacturer through a  landmark litigation crisis arising from a tender offer, proxy fight and takeover.

• Family Dispute over International Assets

  Successfully defended a wealthy international family in a 9-month trial involving a multi-million dollar claim brought against it by a disgruntled sibling.

• Filmmaker Breach of Contractor Defense

  Lead trial counsel in a breach of contract action against retired American professional basketball player for failure to make a movie.

• Food Manufacturer Litigation

  Won a 5-month jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Minnesota alleging breach of contract and defamation on behalf of the nation's largest manufacturer of private label granola food products.

• Municipal Zoning Litigation

  Defended a municipality in a 3-month zoning trial. Before plaintiffs rested, they moved to dismiss their case voluntarily after calling only 5 of their 30 witnesses.

• Physician Employment Reinstatement

  Won reinstatement for a neurosurgeon after an immediate summary suspension by the department chairman at a major Midwest medical institution.

• Retailer Fraudulent Conveyances Dismissal

  Successfully set aside fraudulent conveyances in the leveraged buyout of a Chicago general retailer by a major Midwestern retailer.

• Securities Firm Class Action Defense

  Represented the outside directors of a securities firm in a class action against it and resolved the matter without any personal liability to the clients.

• Wholesale Supplier Age Discrimination Defense

  Successfully defended a major wholesale supplier of wood products against an age discrimination charge brought in the U.S. District Court. Following the close of evidence after a 4-week trial, the trial court granted defendant’s motion for a directed verdict.

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association
• American Trial Lawyers Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• Markey Wigmore Inns of Court
• NClub of Northwestern University

Teaching Experience

• Northwestern University Law School, Introduction to Trial Advocacy, adjunct professor

Speeches

Frequent presenter at legal and professional conferences. 

News

• Black Eyed Peas Sued for Willful Copyright Infringement by Artists from Chicago and Texas
• Miller Canfield Expands Business Litigation + Trial Services