Ms Dale Cendali > Kirkland & Ellis LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

A particularly popular destination for video game companies,  Kirkland & Ellis LLP specializes in complex IP cases in areas where clear legal precedent is yet to be established; in a representative matter, the firm is representing Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. in a suit that pertains to the reproduction of copyrighted tattoos in a basketball videogame. Litigator and team head Dale Cendali is singled out for her IP expertise; she represented Epic Games in precedential litigation concerning the copyrightability of dance steps in a recent highlight.  Another name to note is Joshua Simmons, who has significant experience advocating on behalf of video games companies in various copyright infringement litigations. Claudia Ray is further recommended for her copyright and internet litigation. All mentioned lawyers are based in New York.

Led in New York by IP litigation authority Dale Cendali, the market-leading team at Kirkland & Ellis LLP acts in high-stakes trademark litigation on behalf of household names such as PepsiCo and Delta Airlines. At the Los Angeles and Silicon Valley offices, Diana Torres brings strength to disputes involving consumer product manufacturers, entertainment and media companies, fitness service providers, and Internet service providers. Allison Buchner, also in LA, acts in complex matters brought by consumers, competitors, and regulators, across sectors ranging from software and consumer goods to apparel, medical devices, and e-commerce. In New York, Claudia Ray, handles unfair competition claims for clients in tech, aviation, entertainment, and financial services, and Shanti Sadtler Conway specializes in right of publicity, social media, and licensing. Yungmoon Chang in Los Angeles was promoted to partner in October 2022.

Leveraging the deep bench strength of locations across the US, Europe and Asia, the team at Kirkland & Ellis LLP remains a leader in the copyright space, advising multinational corporates across the tech, video games, aerospace, software, publishing and media sectors, including Epic Games, Riot Games and Take-Two Interactive. Intellectual property authority Dale Cendali, who represented Oracle in the Supreme Court and throughout the long-running Google v Oracle case, heads the practice, bringing experience to high-stakes infringement matters. Claudia Ray litigates complex combined copyright and competition law matters, while Joshua Simmons supports Cendali in assisting clients in tech and medical devices. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

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.

The globally-connected team at Kirkland & Ellis LLP advises household names such as PepsiCo, on the enforcement and management of their international trademark portfolios. Headed by intellectual property authority Dale Cendali, the group’s active client base spans the sporting goods, cosmetics, cybersecurity, video games, fitness, pharma, tech, and apparel sectors. Key figures include Claudia Ray, a specialist in brand-building and protection strategy; Johanna Schmitt, who assists with complex internet issues; Mary Mazzello, who brings expertise to matters ranging from trademarks clearance to new product launches; Shanti Sadtler Conway, who provides experience related to social media, licensing, and contract issues. All the lawyers mentioned work at the New York office.