Jones Day‘s practice is co-led by a multitude of specialists: San Diego-based head of the firm’s global trade secrets practice Randall Kay; LA-based Andrea Jeffries; Irvine-based Steven Zadravecz; Cary Sullivan and Nathaniel Garrett, both of whom are based in San Francisco; Pittsburgh-based James Kitchen; and Michael Oblon, who works from the Washington DC office. The team has a strong ability to handle high-stakes contentious matters both domestically and internationally, in addition to its non-contentious work in this area. The team’s client base covers multiple industry sectors, with a particular focus on technology and medical devices cases, notably currently representing MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc. on a high-stakes cross-border matter involving complex protectability and misappropriation claims, with millions at stake.

The ‘A-team’ at Kirkland & Ellis LLP offers a number of expert practitioners spanning the US, with significant experience across the offering in representing both plaintiff and defendant clients across a range of industry sectors, including automotive, pharmaceutical, chemical, real estate, aviation, energy and electronics, in complex trade secret disputes. A significant example of such work is the $40m victory the firm achieved in favor of Comet Technologies USA Inc, finding that its competitor, XP, wilfully misappropriated technologies owned and developed by the plaintiff. San Francisco’s Adam Alper, who is adept at litigating high-stakes, and the experienced Michael De Vries in Los Angeles were key representatives in the case. Other key names to note are the ‘creative-thinking’ LA-based Diana Torres, who is noted as going ‘above and beyond’ for her clients, experienced litigator Joshua Simmons, and Dale Cendali, who frequently co-leads renowned clients on complex and high-value matters; both are New York-based.

Chicago-based global chair of Latham & Watkins LLP‘s intellectual property litigation practice David Callahan co-leads its ‘top-notch’ trade secret offering alongside its vice-chairs, the San Diego-based Jennifer Barry , New York’s ‘very experienced’ Tony Sammi, and Jeff Homrig, who works from the Austin office. Sammi is experienced in leading on big-ticket cases for well-known corporations, with one key example the $1bn defense of Universal Alloy Corp. in a highly technical trade secret dispute. The team is adept in advising its varied client portfolio on the full scope of related matters, from the development of programs to protect trade secrets at their inception, to enforcing and defending complex claims. There is experience across the offering in providing advice to clients in the cybersecurity, travel, automotive, and financial services sectors, in particular. Douglas Lumish , based in San Francisco’s Bay Area, leads on some of the team’s most noteworthy matters, such as its work for Skyryse, Inc in defense of the allegation that they stole aviation-related sensitive data belonging to the US Federal Government. Illinois’ Matthew Walch is described as ‘one of the best trial lawyers anywhere’. 

From its Los Angeles hub, Ilissa Samplin leads the practice at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, which has a strong reputation for its capabilities representing high-profile corporate and individual clients, both plaintiffs and defendants, across the media, entertainment, and technology industries in particular. The team has a strong national reach with offices across California, New York, Washington DC and Texas. Particularly standout work includes its upheld its appellate victory for Amrock in a matter worth $706m, wherein appeal was rejected by the Texas Supreme Court. Further, its representation of the founders and early employees of Tinder in the high-profile trade secrets matter which is one of the largest to go to trial in the history of the technology industry,  wherein the defendants agreed to pay $441m of the $2bn claimed to settle the litigation; partner Orin Snyder, who works in the New York office, led on this matter.

Dividing his time between San Francisco and Sacramento, Kurt Kappes co-leads Greenberg Traurig LLP‘s sizeable practice alongside Denver-based Naomi Beer and James Boudreau, who works from the Philadelphia office. The team is well-equipped to represent its diverse portfolio of clients on the full gamut of trade secret-related complex litigious matters. It has particularly standout skills handling cases for both plaintiffs and defendants in employment-related matters wherein a breach of contract, non-solicitation or non-compete has allegedly been breached or misappropriated, a key example being its representation of Symphony Risk Solutions in a high-value case which involved complex restrictive covenant agreements. Shareholder and trade secret litigation specialist Gregory Bombard joined the Boston office from Duane Morris LLP in July 2022. Katie Molloy is a name to note in the team, with a focus on trade secret and restrictive covenant litigation.

The team at Morrison Foerster, noted for its ‘deep knowledge and real experience’ of trade secrets, has global intellectual litigation co-chairs San Francisco-based Richard Hung, LA-based Bita Rahebi and Washington DC’s Mark Whitaker, alongside trade secrets group co-leads Kenneth Kuwayti and Bryan Wilson ,who both work from the Palo Alto office, at its helm. January 2023 marked the merging of the firm with Durie Tangri LLP, which resulted in the significant additions to the San Francisco office of partner and specialist technology and life sciences litigator Daralyn Durie; experienced trade secrets attorney with a strong client portfolio Ragesh Tangri; experienced high-stakes litigator with a technology focus Tim Saulsbury; Eugene Novikov who has experience in relevant technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical companies cases; and Eric Wiener who is experienced in representing high-profile clients in high-value cases. The team has particular expertise in technology-related high-stakes work across industry sectors for renowned clients, notably representing Walmart in a matter concerning the alleged misappropriation of technology used for Walmart Pay.

The ‘highly competent and technical’ interdisciplinary team at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has a particular specialism in trade secret matters involving employee mobility, with a notable example the team’s representation of ExamWorks Group Inc., wherein multiple employee defendants have been accused of misappropriating confidential data. Expertise in developing technologies is evident across the team. It has a strong reputation for its abilities handling work involving the misappropriation of trade secrets and the enforcement of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. Its client portfolio consists of such notable names as Microsoft and McDonald’s Corporation, alongside other major businesses in a wide range of industries. Leading the team are Boston-based Sheryl Garko, Silicon Valley’s ‘top class’ Amy Van Zant, New York-based James McQuade, and experienced litigator Catherine Lui, who is based in San Francisco.

The trade secrets offering at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, noted as providing a ‘high-quality service’,  is experienced in the handling of complex matters domestically and internationally, representing a broad array of high-profile clients on high-stakes trade secrets matters, wherein it advises on identification, qualification and classification of trade secrets as well as litigating complex cases. A noteworthy example is the team’s representation of Karma Automotive LLC in the multi-faceted case involving alleged misappropriation by Lordstown Motors Corp. Chicago-based specialist in cutting-edge tech, electric vehicle and remote storage matters, Michael Wexler co-leads the cohort alongside Los Angeles-based Robert Milligan , who has a particular focus on data theft and protection disputes, and Boston-based Katherine Perrelli , who is a skilled litigator and leader on some of the team’s most notable matters. The ‘absolutely amazing’ Boston-based Dawn Mertineit consistently acts on key matters, particularly involving tech and electronics, whilst Houston’s Jesse Coleman frequently advises on risk management as well as litigation. LA’s Joshua Salinas is a key name to note.

The multi-faceted team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has capabilities across employment, commercial litigation, patent litigation, technology, & IP, allowing it to advise on the full array of related trade secret matters, including litigation in a number of key states. The firm is noted for its strong tech focus, with standout work in the space for key clients such as Apollo Management. John Barry and Gary Friedman, who both work at the New York office, co-head the team alongside Dallas-based Paul Genender, Silicon Valley’s Bambo Obaro, who has expertise in employee mobility-related trade secret work often international in nature, and Boston-based Patrick O’Toole.  Celine Chan has significant expertise in employment-oriented work and restricted covenant matters. New York-based litigation partner Nicholas Pappas departed in October 2022.

BakerHostetler‘s team is headed by New York-based national labor and employment group chair Amy Traub and founding chair of the Trade Secrets Committee of the New York City Bar Association John Siegal, alongside employment specialist Joyce Ackerbaum Cox from Orlando. Siegal notably led on the firm’s successful representation of FTI Consulting in a $65m trade secrets case. The practice also handles commercial disputes involving copyright infringement, trade secrets and confidential proprietary business information in high-stakes and high-profile matters, particularly those involving employment, with a key example its representation of national law firm Polsinelli PC in a case brought by international law firm Littler PC. San Francisco-based partner Chardaie Charlemagne is one to watch.

The ‘incredibly effective’ Boston-based boutique Beck Reed Riden LLP, known for its ‘well-informed counseling and tenacious litigation’ is headed by Russell Beck, who is described as ‘one of, if not the most prominent thought leader in this area’. The firm focuses its practice on trade secret and non-compete work for its market-spanning client list, including such well-known companies as Staples, Inc.. It has a particular specialism in counseling and litigating on misappropriation cases involving employee hire and departures. Co-founder of the firm and notable litigator Stephen Riden is a name to note, as is the ‘talented’ Nicole Daly. Senior counsel Sarah Tishler, who specialises in trade secrets, restrictive covenants, and employee mobility work joined the team in August 2022 from Williams Simons & Landis PLC.

Goodwin has a presence on both coasts, with San Francisco-based Koray Bulut, Silicon Valley-based Andrew Ong, New York-based Albert Solecki and Boston-based Mark Tully leading the interdisciplinary team, which is able to handle the full spectrum of trade secret matters, including those involving employment, cybersecurity and criminal litigation. It is adept at advising clients ranging from well-known companies and start-ups to individual employees, particularly on mobility cases. Silicon Valley-based partner Neel Chatterjee has particular expertise in high-stakes technology work while San Francisco’s Brett Schuman is noted particularly for his work representing Rivian Automotive, Inc against Tesla. Counsel Jeremy Lateiner, also in San Francisco, is one to watch, developing his specialism in the field of employee mobility and competitor disputes.

The team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is co-led by Louis Beardell ,who works from the Philadelphia office and Silicon Valley-based Dion Bregman, heading up up an offering featuring specialists in litigation, antitrust and employment that frequently pursues misappropriation claims for both plaintiffs and defendants at both state and federal level, often in cross-border contexts. There is a focus on trade secrets matters in relation to employee mobility, which is Century City, California’s Debra Fischer ‘s area of expertise, with standout work in the space for Allianz Insurance Services. At the same office, Seth Gerber is also a partner to note. Notable additions to the team include partner and experienced trade secrets litigator Molly Terwilliger who joined the Washington DC office from Calfo Eakes in June 2022; partner and patent specialist Manita Rawat to the Silicon Valley office from Duane Morris LLP in September 2022; and IP counselor and litigator Meaghan Kent to the Washington DC team from Venable LLP in October 2022.

The practice at Nixon Peabody LLP is noted for its ability to represent its clients as they ‘navigate uncharted waters’, with Boston and New York-based trade secret and restrictive covenant expert Matthew McLaughlin co-leading the team with the Chicago-based Laura Bacon, who specializes in labor, employment and litigation in particular. It has strong capabilities assisting clients from start-ups to nationally recognized companies, in safeguarding against trade secrets as well as litigious matters of this nature. Chicago-based partner Richard Tilghman, who ’embodies the true partner approach’, is a key name to note, while specialist labor and employment litigation partners Richard Frey and David Prager both joined the Los Angeles office from Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. in March 2022.

The team at Winston & Strawn LLP is noted for its ability to ‘think outside the box to develop practical and actionable solutions’ for clients’ trade secrets issues, with a combination of intellectual property, labour, and litigation expertise noted across the team. The team handles high-value work, a noteworthy example being the $100m victory for Versata Software Inc. against Ford Motor Company wherein it was ruled trade secrets had been misappropriated. Los Angeles-based David Enzminger , Houston-based Sheryl Falk , and Steven Grimes , who is based in Chicago, are at the head of the practice.

New York-based Robert Scheinfeld and Dallas-based Christa Brown-Sanford lead Baker Botts L.L.P.‘s trade secrets team alongside David Wille, also in Dallas, who is the firm-wide chair of the practice, which has a strong record in representing both plaintiffs and defendants in matters of significant value for such notable clients as MasterCard International Inc., for whom it secured an appellate victory in the New York state court. The team has expertise in high-profile matters of employee mobility, a key example being its victory for Dril-Quip Inc. in its allegations that a former employee misappropriated trade secrets regarding subsea tree systems, a suit with a value of $35m. IP partner Paul Morico, based in Houston, acts on many of the team’s most notable cases, while Washington DC’s Katharine Burke has a strong intellectual property specialism.

Prominent New York-based intellectual property practitioner and head of the firm’s IP litigation group Ian DiBernardo leads Brown Rudnick LLP‘s trade secrets team, which has strong capabilities handling strategic matters for its clients who span such industries as tech, biotech, software and finance, with a view to protecting and maintaining their trade secrets. In addition, the team investigates and litigates in high-value contentious situations. Jason Sobel, also based in the New York office, is a key name to note, frequently acting in collaboration with DiBernado on  the team’s most notable work.

DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s team is headed by Silicon Valley-based intellectual property and tech specialist Rajiv Dharnidharka , Chicago-based Paul Steadman , who leads on many of the team’s most noteworthy cases, and experienced litigator Leon Medzhibovsky, who works from the New York office. Working for clients ranging from Nike to Trilogy 5G, the practice is well-versed in handling trade secret matters with significant values at stake, frequently involving alleged misappropriation by former employees.

McGuireWoods LLP‘s offering is co-led by David Finkelson from its Richmond office and experienced high-stakes trial lawyer Yasser Madriz from its Houston base. The team represents well-known clients such as Vans Inc in high-value matters for both claimants and defendants involving alleged trade secret misappropriation, breaches of contract, tortious interference, and breaches of fiduciary duties between employees and employers. Houston-based Meghaan Madriz is a key partner to note in the team, with significant experience defending employers in complex litigation, arbitration and administrative proceedings.

New-York based IP litigation specialist Steven Pepe co-leads the team at Ropes & Gray LLP alongside head of false advertising, copyright, trademarks and trade secrets Peter Brody, who works from the Washington DC office. David Chun , who divides his time between San Francisco and Seoul, has significant experience handling trade secret misappropriation cases in particular, and has represented such notable clients as Samsung Electronics and Emerson Electric. Medical device and pharmaceutical-related work is a focus; with a notable matter for the team is its work representing Exactech, Inc. as a plaintiff against Zimmer, regarding the alleged misappropriation of high-stakes medical device technology.

Williams & Connolly LLP‘s practice is led from its Washington DC office by experienced litigator Daniel Shanahan and specialist in unfair competition, trade secrets, and restrictive covenants Bryan Wilson. It has strong capabilities in advising clients, particularly in technology and software-related complex matters of alleged misappropriation. A highlight of the team’s work was its successful representation of Appian Corp. in the first instance, who were awarded $2bn in damages from Pegasystems for breach of the Virginia Computer Crimes Act and wilful appropriation of trade secrets.