Douglas C. Giese joined Defrees & Fiske in 2000 as an associate, and practices in the areas of corporate law, state and federal court pretrial practice, and general civil litigation, including Bankruptcy and Mechanic's Lien litigation.  He has represented clients in civil litigation before the state and federal courts in Illinois, including the Illinois appellate court, as well as administrative proceedings before the Illinois Departments of Labor and Employment Security.  Prior to joining Defrees & Fiske, Mr. Giese represented clients involved with corporate transactional matters and personal injury litigation, including resolution of liens.

Mr. Giese has handled all types of business disputes, many of which have been litigated in federal and state courts, or resolved through arbitration. His experience includes matters based on contract, real estate (mortgage foreclosure, mechanic's lien, eviction/forcible entry & detainer, distress for rent, purchase and sale), and collection and enforcement of judgements. 

Mr. Giese began his legal career in 1990 as a paralegal with a large Chicago law firm, where he was involved in complex, multi‑state products liability litigation related to the construction industry. While attending law school, Mr. Giese first‑chaired three bench trials in Cook County Municipal Court as an Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 attorney with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, a pro bono legal organization with which he has been associated for more than fifteen years.

Mr. Giese is a certified mediator through the Center for Conflicts Resolution, and has been involved in alternative dispute resolution before the Circuit Court of Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program, the American Arbitration Association and other private alternative dispute resolution panels. Additionally, he has successfully represented clients in matters pending before the Social Security Administration.

Mr. Giese is admitted to practice in Illinois and before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Mr. Giese is a graduate of IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law (J.D., 1997).  He previously earned an Associates of Arts Degree from the College of DuPage in 1985, a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Operations/Personnel Management from Northern Illinois University, and a Paralegal Certificate from Roosevelt University‑Lawyer's Assistant Program in 1989.