Brian C Fries

Contaminants & Toxic Torts

Financial Services

Litigation

Class Action Defense

Non-Compete, Non-Solicit, Trade Secrets & Other Restrictive Covenants

Environmental Insurance Analysis & Recovery

Environmental Litigation

eDiscovery: Data, Records & Information Governance

Accountant Liability & Risk Management

General Business & Complex Commercial Litigation

Financial Services Litigation

Brian Fries’ approach to working with clients is to become their “partner” in the matters, to listen and understand their desired outcomes, and to identify creative paths to achieve their goals and get to resolution efficiently and effectively.

With a practice focused on class actions and complex litigation defense, Brian Fries leads the firm’s Class Action Practice Group with a distinctive blend of creativity, dependability and legal insight. Brian’s command over the courtroom, coupled with his experience in dispute resolution, positions him as a go-to litigator for a wide range of clients.

Representing a broad spectrum of clients, Brian handles litigation for businesses from publicly traded companies to emerging private enterprises across diverse industries including:

Financial services

Health care

Manufacturing

Pharmaceuticals

Professional services

Committed to providing a tailored approach for each client, Brian’s role as a national litigation counsel for numerous clients highlights his ability to handle and successfully resolve high-stakes disputes. He thrives on engaging closely with clients, understanding their unique objectives, and devising strategic pathways to meet, if not exceed, their expectations. Brian takes a pragmatic approach to solving complex litigation issues while being mindful of cost efficiencies. Brian often steps in to difficult and complex cases. In one such professional negligence matter with $100 million exposure, he got involved late in discovery to prepare for trial. Brian was able to help the client reach a modest and favorable settlement relative to the risk.

Brian’s experience spans a range of litigation matters including the defense of:

Accounting and professional negligence claims

Breach of contracts and employment contract disputes

Complex business disputes including mergers and acquisitions and asset purchase agreements

Government investigations

Health care litigation

Packaging and labeling

Real estate transactions

Consumer data and privacy claims

Consumer protection claims

Toxic torts, odor nuisances and environmental class actions

For more than 20 years, Brian has represented clients in defense of complex litigation and class actions and serves as local counsel in Kansas City working closely with lead counsel for substantial matters. Some of his work includes:

Obtained a complete dismissal on a Motion to Dismiss against former university student athletes and parents alleging violations of the state Consumer Protection Act.

Negotiated a favorable settlement for a city regarding alleged improper taxes.

Defended a hospital system, medical records provider and national pharmacy in several consumer class actions relating to privacy, charges for providing medical records, and advertising for medical procedures.

Represented a behavioral healthcare provider in a class action relating to the appropriateness of treatment guidelines.

Obtained summary judgment in a class action against a hospital regarding alleged improper disclosure of protected health information through a business associate agreement.

Defended and reached favorable settlement for an apartment complex in habitability class action claims.

Defended numerous financial institutions in class actions relating to electronic bill payment transactions, overdraft fees and other account holder fees.

Defense and favorable resolutions or settlements in several consumer claims such as TCPA and data breach cases.