Article
Confidential Information vs. Trade Secrets: Why the Distinction Matters in Litigation
March 2, 2026
With over 25 years of experience advising businesses and business owners, Thad proactively identifies potential risks and develops long-term strategies and solutions for his clients. As outside general counsel, he partners with businesses and business leaders to help them grow companies, compete favorably, and protect their business assets. As a trial attorney, Thad tirelessly advocates for his clients to help them achieve their goals.
As a seasoned outside general counsel, Thad spends time getting to know his clients, their goals, and their challenges. With that knowledge, Thad takes a strategic approach to advising his clients on a wide range of business and legal risks and issues related to corporate governance, contracts, employment and personnel matters, risk management, and litigation. He also works with business owners to draft and negotiate shareholder, operating, purchase, and sale agreements.
In addition, Thad works with business leaders to understand their business and personal objectives and strategizes with them on how to achieve those objectives. Thad has worked with businesses to implement risk mitigation measures through trade secret and confidential information audits, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and employment agreements. Thad also guides clients through mergers and acquisitions, including the post-sale integration processes to ensure seamlessness of customer interactions, employment law issues, litigation avoidance, and overall business success.
As a trial lawyer, Thad litigates and directs litigation in federal and state courts nationwide. Just a few examples of the types of matters Thad has handled for his clients include the following:
- Emergency and other relief related to the misappropriation of trade secrets, the enforcement of restrictive covenants, and unfair competition;
- Illinois Trade Secret Act and the Federal Defend Trade Secrets Act claims;
- The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act claims;
- Fraud, misrepresentation, fraudulent transfer, and consumer fraud act claims;
- Breach of contract, including issues related to interference with contract and business expectancy;
- Breach of fiduciary duty and employment agreements;
- Class actions;
- Products liability; and
- Insurance coverage disputes.
Thad is a member of the firm’s Governing Board and is the leader of the Chicago office.
- Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., 1994)
- Denison University (B.A., 1989)
- Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois - General & Trial Bar
- U.S. District Court, Colorado
- U.S. District Court, New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- American Bar Association
- Illinois State Bar Association
- Partner-in-Charge, Chicago
- Member, Governing Board
- Named a “Litigation Star” in Illinois by Benchmark Litigation (2015-2022; 2025; 2026)
- Named to Illinois Leading Lawyers list for Closely & Privately Held Business Law, Commercial Litigation and Trade Secrets/Unfair Competition Law (2016-2024)
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