The trade secret practice at Jones Day is headed up by San Diego-based Randall Kay, who has over 30 years’ experience handling complex litigation in often international contexts, spanning France, Belgium, Taiwan, China, South Korea and Japan. Associates Alyssa Orellana and Nicholas Hodges are also key names in San Diego. Also in California are IP expert Andrea Jeffries in Los Angeles; litigation-focused ‘experienced trial attorney with a deep technical skillset’ Jennifer Bennett in San Francisco; Steven Zadravecz who is particularly experienced acting on behalf of the employer, and Cary Sullivan whose client portfolio spans the array of industry sectors, in Irvine. On the East Coast, Michael Oblon who works from the Washington DC office stands out in particular for his expertise handling litigation and counseling in relation to electronics and software tech-related work. The team is noted for its treating clients as if they are part of ‘one unified team’ and it represents such well-known names as MedImpact Healthcare Systems Inc. Its caseload includes complex matters of misappropriation brought against high-ranking executives; Zadravecz succeeded in such a matter brought by Applied Medical Resources after a seven week jury trial in Orange County.

The ‘very impressive’ trade secret group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP is well-equipped to advise its portfolio of renowned clients on the range of non-contentious and litigious matters. There are no formal practice heads but the group is well-regarded for its ‘very deep bench’ of specialist attorneys. Key practitioners on the West Coast include San Francisco-based IP litigation expert Adam Alper, who is renowned for his abilities representing clients namely in the semiconductor, telecoms, computer hardware and pharma industries in particular, in complex disputes; in LA, Michael De Vries has noteworthy expertise handling high-stakes IP disputes – the pair are noted for their ‘great technical backgrounds’. Also on the West Coast, Akshay Deoras in San Francisco and Los Angeles-based Sharre Lotfollahi are names to note. Dale Cendali has notable experience representing clients in high-profile IP matters, Joshua Simmons is focused on media and tech-related IP disputes, while Leslie Schmidt also has significant trial experience; the three are based in New York. An example of the group’s high-stakes workload is its representation of Cognizant TriZetto Software Group, Inc. in a multifaceted matter of alleged misappropriation, unfair competition and breach of contract against Syntel in a healthcare tech context wherein hundreds of millions of dollars were at stake – Alper, De Vries and Simmons successfully co-headed the matter.

Global chair of Latham & Watkins LLP‘s IP litigation practice, San Diego-based Jennifer Barry, leads the firm’s trade secret group alongside global vice chairs, being the ‘razor-sharp’ New York-based Tony Sammi and Austin-based Jeff Homrig. Sammi, who is regarded by clients as ‘the best’ led a standout matter for the team, being a trial victory in defense of Universal Alloy Corporation in an alleged misappropriation litigation case where $260m was at stake. The ‘very dedicated team that leaves nothing to chance’ has a strong reputation for its abilities handling such big-ticket matters for its industry spanning roster of clients. Another noteworthy example of its complex caseload is its trial victory for Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc and Scilex Pharmaceuticals Inc. in a suit filed against the former President of the company. Restrictive covenant breaches, trade secret misappropriation, data theft and breaches of fiduciary duties are areas of expertise across the practice. Douglas Lumish, who works from the firm’s San Francisco office is vastly experienced representing clients at trial, Illinois’ Matthew Walch is also a name to note, with familiarity handling interlocutory injunctive relief proceedings, in particular, as is New York-based counsel Rachel Blitzer who is highlighted as being ‘an excellent and dedicated lawyer’.

The trade secrets offering at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is led by media and tech, AI and IP expert Ilissa Samplin from its Los Angeles office. Among the attorneys there are a range of specialisms, from labor and employment to criminal, and there is considerable experience litigating big-ticket cases on behalf of both defendants and prosecutors. The team’s caseload includes handling matters of alleged misappropriation by high-level executives and employees, advising clients in relation to investigations of criminal breaches of IP laws at federal and state level, and conducting internal investigations where a breach of contract is suspected. Its client roster features such names as TikTok and HSBC. Orin Snyder is a litigator to note, as is Brian Rosenthal who has a particular focus on computer software, electronics and medical devices-related cases; both are based in New York. Working from the firm’s Los Angeles office, Blaine Evanson stands out for his litigation capabilities.

The national trade secrets practice at Goodwin, noted for its ‘ability to take the lead’ when assisting clients, has a strong reputation for its capabilities handling the gamut of matters. In San Francisco, Koray Bulut is equipped to handle multi-jurisdictional matters, while co-chair of the firm’s IP litigation practice Brett Schuman has experience defending well-known companies and individual clients in complex disputes; counsel Jeremy Lateiner is also noteworthy. Silicon Valley-based Andrew Ong has expertise in related litigious cases. Also in Silicon Valley is standout name Neel Chatterjee who has impressive experience representing clients in high-stakes tech matters, namely protecting companies and products in complex disputes. Bulut and Ong co-lead the practice alongside New York-based Albert Solecki and Boston’s Mark Tully. The team has been bolstered with the arrivals of Sharon Smith to the San Francisco office in January 2023 from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and of John Padro, Stefan Mentzer and Scott Weingaertner to the New York office in March 2023 – all were formerly at White & Case LLP.

The trade secrets team at Greenberg Traurig LLP is well-equipped to represent its portfolio of clients which includes well-known companies on the range of matters including in the drafting and enforcing of covenants, non-competes and non-solicitation agreements; acting in transactions and due diligence matters; and defending and prosecuting in misappropriation disputes. At its helm are San Francisco-based Kurt Kappes who is experienced handling complex matters in both domestic and international contexts, Denver-based Naomi Beer, and James Boudreau who works from the firm’s Philadelphia hub. The team has particular experience defending in matters of alleged misappropriation of IP, breaches of contract and fraud, frequently involving damages of significant value. It is also equipped to act on behalf of the prosecutor in claims where companies bring suits against former employees, for example. Gregory Bombard, based in Boston, is a noteworthy commercial disputes-focused attorney in the team, while Philadelphia’s Shira Yoshor has a notable specialism in the range of labor and employment cases.

The trade secrets practice at Morrison Foerster is headed up by ‘true star’ Kenneth Kuwayti and Bryan Wilson who is experienced handling IP disputes for a range of well-known clients from the team’s impressive portfolio, which includes such notable names as Lime and Walmart. Wilson and Kuwayti, both based in Palo Alto, are supported by the firm’s global IP litigation co-chairs, being Los Angeles-based Bita Rahebi, Washington DC-based Mark Whitaker, Austin’s Brian Nash and Tim Saulsbury who works from San Francisco. The team’s caseload includes representing both defendant employees and plaintiff corporations in complex and high-stakes matters of alleged misappropriation, patent infringement and breaches of NDAs. Its cases often reach state Supreme Court level. Tech, life sciences, aviation and retail are key areas of industry focus across the team. Ragesh Tangri is particularly adept at advising major tech companies in significant disputes while Benjamin Fox is well-equipped to assist in relation to software and gaming. Eugene Novikov departed to private practice in January 2024.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s trade secrets team has a strong reputation for its capabilities handling the gamut of high-stakes cases for its roster of clients, which includes such renowned names as Microsoft. Sheryl Garko in Boston is focused on high-stakes disputes in this space. Amy Van Zant in Silicon Valley has expertise spanning employment, data privacy and litigation, which she brings to bear. New York’s James McQuade has experience assisting clients from the broad array of industry sectors. Catherine Lui in San Francisco has expertise particularly both obtaining and defending against TRO’s and the handling of preliminary injunctions. The four head up the practice, the workload of which is composed in large part of complex cases of alleged misappropriation and theft of data, and breaches of contract involving such elements as temporary restraining orders against employees; the industry sectors its matters span range from maritime to medical tech and frequently involve high-value damages. Jordan Coyle departed to White & Case LLP in August 2023.

Paul Hastings LLP‘s trade secrets group is highly regarded for its ‘creativity, intellect and efforts’ in handling complex IP litigation matters. The team has at its helm Naveen Modi who works from the firm’s Washington DC office and is remarked as being an ‘amazing, client-friendly lawyer, with tremendous experience working on complex disputes’. Alongside Modi at the head are New York’s Bruce Wexler and Eric Dittmann. Experienced IP litigator Jeff Pade, also based in DC, is considered ‘a pleasure to work with and a super strategic thinker’ and has strong capabilities handling complex matters in often international contexts. High-stakes, cross-border work is a specialism of the team, with its workload including matters spanning Japan, Switzerland, Brazil, China, Pakistan and the UK. A key example is its successful representation of Mitsubishi in a multi-year international arbitration regarding an MS treatment drug. Victoria Cundiff retired from the team in February 2023, while Paul Genender, formerly of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, bolstered the Houston practice in September 2023.

Complex IP litigation, alleged misappropriations and breaches of contract are mainstays of the trade secrets offering at Seyfarth Shaw LLP which is well-equipped to assist its sector-spanning client portfolio, which includes significant names from the pharma, medical devices, tech and healthcare spheres in particular. Team leads are Michael Wexler who is based in Chicago, Robert Milligan who works from the Los Angeles hub and Katherine Perrelli in the Boston office. Wexler has expertise handling tech-related work including electric vehicles, medical devices and remote storage-related cases; Milligan assists multinational corporations with trade secret, non-compete and data protection work; while Perrelli has a specialism in the enforcement of restrictive covenants and NDAs. Jesse Coleman in Houston has a particular focus on related healthcare disputes, while Dawn Mertineit in Boston is an authority in litigation. Joshua Salinas is a standout associate in LA. Commercial litigation specialists Jesse Miller and Jennifer Fearnow, formerly of Reed Smith LLP, have bolstered the team in San Francisco. Notably, trade secrets specialist Gary Friedman joined the New York team from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in February 2024.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP‘s trade secrets cohort is well-placed to assist its clients in the array of matters; its workload is formed in large part of assisting in the enforcement of and defense against employee non-solicits, no-hires and NDAs, as well as in assisting in disputes pertaining to alleged misappropriation. Team head John Barry is based in New York and is a renowned name in the employment field and an experienced litigator in trade secret cases. Further, counsel Celine Chan, Rebecca Sivitz and associate Lauren Kelly are names to note for their employment capabilities; all work between the New York and Boston hubs. On the West Coast, San Francisco’s Bambo Obaro is the standout attorney, with experience defending against and obtaining emergency remedies in trade secret cases. Team changes include the departure of Paul Genender, formerly at the Dallas office, who left for Paul Hastings LLP in September 2023, the departure of Gary Friedman who left the New York office to join Seyfarth Shaw LLP in February 2024, and the departure of Patrick O’Toole, formerly at the Boston office, who left to Kirkland & Ellis LLP, the same firm from which Peter Mee joined the New York office in November 2023.

The co-leads of BakerHostetler‘s trade secrets practice who also harness expertise in non-competes are New York’s private business disputes-focused John Siegal and Florida-based Joyce Ackerbaum Cox; the pair are supported by the firm’s national labor and employment group chair Amy Traub, who also works from the New York hub. The team is well-equipped to assist its clients on the range of related work, from bet-the-company contract and tort cases to establishing the origin of alleged misappropriation. It is also experienced advising on the parameters of restrictive covenants and on contentions that arise therein. In Ohio, Cincinatti-based Scott McIntyre who has experience defending the array of related actions, and Columbus’ patent litigation specialist Kevin Kirsch are names to note in the team.

Beck Reed Riden LLP is a Boston-based boutique with a nationwide trade secrets practice which is headed up by Russell Beck, noted as ‘preeminent in this area’. The team also has a specialist focus advising its clients on the parameters of restrictive covenants. Stephen Riden is a key member of the group with a noteworthy specialism in commercial litigation wherein he has experience representing both corporate and individual clients on the array of issues at both state and court level. Nicole Daly is another name to note in the team with expertise spanning employment, business disputes, trade secrets, restrictive covenants, and employee mobility, while senior counsel Sarah Tishler has strong capabilities handling big ticket matters for significant clients. The industry sectors the group’s workload spans ranges from transportation to life sciences.

The ‘excellent’ trade secrets practice at Cooley LLP is led by Michael Attanasio in San Diego who has impressive expertise in high-stakes litigation cases. Tech and life sciences trade secret matters form a large part of the team’s workload, namely developing, protecting and defending tech for its range of clients, the list of which includes significant start-ups and emerging companies. The range of industry sectors are covered by the group which is experienced handling matters at both State and Federal court levels. Key names include Adam Gershenson and Michael Sheetz who has international capabilities in trade secret cases; both work from the firm’s Boston hub. In New York, Ian Shapiro assists such well-known names as Cartier in alleged misappropriation matters. The team also has a considerable presence in Washington DC.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s trade secrets team, noted for its ‘creative thinking’, is well-equipped to assist its clients with the plethora of matters, from defending companies and individuals in cases of breaches of employment contracts, as well as in matters of misappropriation, namely in tech and life sciences-related work. Seth Gerber is based at the firm’s Century City hub and has a focus on trade secrets, restrictive covenant and employee mobility cases, a specialism shared particularly in litigious contexts by Debra Fischer who is based at the same office. In Boston, Joshua Dalton is noteworthy in the team and described as being ‘proactive and thoughtful’. Team changes include the departure of Sharon Smith to Goodwin in January 2023. Louis Beardell who works from the Philadelphia office and Silicon Valley-based Dion Bregman are at the helm of the group.

Chicago-based Steven Grimes, David Enzminger in Los Angeles and Dallas’ Natalie Arbaugh oversee Winston & Strawn LLP‘s trade secrets group. The team’s specialisms span white-collar crime, litigation and labor and employment and its workload includes leading trade secrets and information security audits; advising on alleged misappropriations; and assisting in broader disputes and litigious cases relating to trade secret issues, such as the carrying out of unlawful raids and the enforcement of temporary restraining orders brought against former employees. Tech and financial services are key industries the group focuses on. Team changes include the departures of former co-head of the practice Sheryl Falk who left the Houston office to in August 2023, of Seth Spitzer who left the New York office in April 2023, both to in-house roles, and of Michael Tomasulo who departed the Los Angeles team to join Reed Smith LLP in February 2023.

The multidisciplinary practice at Baker Botts L.L.P. is formed of specialists in IP, employment, commercial and tech law, the range of which are channelled into its trade secrets offering.  The team is experienced defending its corporate clients in claims of misappropriation brought by competitors. Tech and energy are the key industry sectors of focus for the practice and it represents such names as Mastercard and Dell Technologies on an ongoing basis. Christa Brown-Sanford based in Dallas is the firm’s IP department chair, Jennifer Tempesta in New York is the IP group’s deputy chair, while David Wille, also in Dallas, co-chairs the trade secrets group alongside Cheryl Cauley in Palo Alto. Houston’s Danny David and Paul Morico are key trial lawyers in the team, and Katharine Burke in Washington DC is also a name to note.

The trade secrets practice at Brown Rudnick LLP has a particular presence on the East Coast, with team leads Ian DiBernardo who is also the firm’s IP litigation chair, Peter Willsey who specializes in trademark, copyright and advertising law and Adam Schoen who co-heads the IP practice group being based in the firm’s New York, Washington DC and Boston hubs respectively. The team has been bolstered recently with the arrival of Merri Moken to the New York office from Paul Hastings LLP in May 2023 and the arrival of Daniel Healy to the Washington DC office from Anderson Kill PC in January 2023. Its workload includes representing its clients in misappropriation and breach of contract disputes with international scope, as well as advising on trade secrets protections and strategies.

Based at the team’s Silicon Valley hub, ‘incredible collaborator’ Rajiv Dharnidharka oversees DLA Piper LLP (US)‘s trade secrets collective alongside Chicago-based ‘standout partner’ Paul Steadman and experienced litigator Leon Medzhibovsky who works at the New York office. The team is well-regarded for its ‘great litigation’ capabilities and for its ‘excellent practice dedicated to tech’. The team has impressive abilities handling trade secrets, software and tech-related commercial disputes in particular, frequently in relation to misappropriation allegations and surrounding issues such as fraud, as well as breaches of employment contracts. San Francisco attorney Jeanette Barzelay is standout for her strong experience in the range of commercial litigation cases.

Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP harnesses capabilities across its trade secrets practice which enable it to handle the gamut of matters, with a specific focus on those relating to complex tech. Misappropriation and breaches of contract are the make-up of the team’s workload. The team also offers trade secrets advice and counseling. On the West Coast is Palo Alto-based Robert McCauley, while on the East Coast is litigator John Williamson, Anand Sharma and managing partner Erika Arner at its Washington DC office, though Arner also works from the Reston office.

McGuireWoods LLP‘s trade secrets collective is headed up by Richmond-based David Finkelson and the ‘outstanding’ Yasser Madriz who works from the firm’s Houston hub. Also based in Houston are standout attorneys Meghaan Madriz who has a particular focus on assisting employers with employment-related matters at the range of court levels, Wolfgang McGavran and associate Miles Indest who has experience representing clients in high-stakes litigation. Representing clients in the range of business disputes including those regarding alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and misappropriation is the routine workload of the practice; the litigation the team handles long-standing and complex cases.

Nixon Peabody LLP‘s trade secrets collective is headed up by Boston and New York-based attorney Matthew McLaughlin who is experienced assisting clients with matters of alleged misappropriation and those regarding breaches of restrictive covenants. The team is experienced representing companies in allegations made by former employees at both state Superior and Federal court level. Former co-lead of the practice Laura Bacon departed the team to an in-house role and Richard Tilghman left to Vedder Price in May and September 2023 respectively; both were previously based at the firm’s Chicago office.

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s trade secrets practice has considerable experience handling the array of investigations and disputes at both state and Federal court level for its portfolio of clients. Team co-leads Steven Pepe and Peter Brody are based in New York and Washington DC respectively. Employment litigation specialist Douglas Brayley who is based at the firm’s Boston hub is a name to note, as is David Chun who splits his time between Silicon Valley and Seoul and has notable experience dealing with misappropriation disputes and the array of IP matters. Scott McKeown departed to Wolf Greenfield & Sacks in July 2023 from the DC office.

The Washington DC hub of Williams & Connolly LLP houses its trade secrets group co-heads, Bryan Wilson who is focused on commercial litigation for both claimants and defendants and civil and criminal disputes expert Daniel Shanahan. Tech and software are the industry sectors of focus for the team which is well-placed to advise its clients on the range of matters, including alleged misappropriation, breaches of restrictive covenants including breaches of non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disclosure. It represents its clients at both State and Federal court level.