Robert B.Milligan
Partner
Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud and Non-Competes
rmilligan@seyfarth.com
Robert represents clients in state and federal courts in complex commercial litigation and employment litigation.
More About Robert
Robert's practice encompasses a wide variety of commercial litigation and employment matters, including general business and contract disputes, unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and other intellectual property theft, franchise litigation, real estate litigation, insurance bad faith, invasion of privacy, consumer and employee class actions, wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour disputes, ADA and OSHA compliance, whistleblower and SOX cases, bankruptcy, and other business torts. His practice focuses on trade secret, noncompete, and data protection litigation and transactional work on a state, national, and international platform.
His experience includes trials, binding arbitrations and administrative hearings, mediations, as well as appellate proceedings. Robert also provides advice to clients concerning a variety of business and employment matters, including nondisclosure, noncompete, and invention assignment agreements, corporate investigations, trade secret and intellectual property audits, commercial landlord/tenant disputes, ADA and OSHA compliance, and an assortment of franchise and bankruptcy issues.
He is a recognized national leader in trade secrets law serving on the prestigious Sedona Conference for Trade Secrets Working Group and serving as a Chair of the California Lawyer Association’s Trade Secrets Interest Group. He previously served in similar intellectual property leadership positions for the ABA and ITechLaw. Clients frequently turn to Robert for his practical and effective advice to address their trade secret and non-compete issues, including conducting internal investigations, trade secret audits, and drafting relevant agreements and policies. In the past few years alone, he has obtained numerous injunctions in several high-profile “bet the company” matters involving high-level executives and has also defeated numerous requests for injunctive relief in similar type matters.
Robert is a an industry leader on trade secret and non-compete matters and is often interviewed by the media concerning high-profile and significant trade secret matters. He played a leading role on the ABA Intellectual Property Section, and he was instrumental in drafting an ABA resolution in support of the passage of Defend Trade Secrets Act, which was credited by Congress in its ultimate passage. He is the Editor in Chief of the firm’s award-winning trade secrets blog, http://www.tradesecretslaw.com/, and he coordinates the firm’s popular trade secrets webinar series, which produces regular timely content on significant trade secret issues. He also played a leading role as a founding member of the Sedona Group’s Trade Secret Working Group and recently served as Senior Editor of the Sedona Group’s paper Protecting Trade Secrets throughout the Employment Life Cycle. He is also the co-editor and an author of a leading Trade Secrets treatise titled Trade Secret Litigation and Protection: A Practice Guide to the DTSA and the CUTSA. He has been recognized as recommended individual or leading lawyer by Chambers USA, the Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.), IAM Patent 1000, and as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star (Thomson Reuters) (2009, 2013-2016).
He served as a judicial extern for the Superior Court of Yolo County, Civil Law Division and the Honorable Christopher M. Klein of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California.
His experience includes trials, binding arbitrations and administrative hearings, mediations, as well as appellate proceedings. Robert also provides advice to clients concerning a variety of business and employment matters, including nondisclosure, noncompete, and invention assignment agreements, corporate investigations, trade secret and intellectual property audits, commercial landlord/tenant disputes, ADA and OSHA compliance, and an assortment of franchise and bankruptcy issues.
He is a recognized national leader in trade secrets law serving on the prestigious Sedona Conference for Trade Secrets Working Group and serving as a Chair of the California Lawyer Association’s Trade Secrets Interest Group. He previously served in similar intellectual property leadership positions for the ABA and ITechLaw. Clients frequently turn to Robert for his practical and effective advice to address their trade secret and non-compete issues, including conducting internal investigations, trade secret audits, and drafting relevant agreements and policies. In the past few years alone, he has obtained numerous injunctions in several high-profile “bet the company” matters involving high-level executives and has also defeated numerous requests for injunctive relief in similar type matters.
Robert is a an industry leader on trade secret and non-compete matters and is often interviewed by the media concerning high-profile and significant trade secret matters. He played a leading role on the ABA Intellectual Property Section, and he was instrumental in drafting an ABA resolution in support of the passage of Defend Trade Secrets Act, which was credited by Congress in its ultimate passage. He is the Editor in Chief of the firm’s award-winning trade secrets blog, http://www.tradesecretslaw.com/, and he coordinates the firm’s popular trade secrets webinar series, which produces regular timely content on significant trade secret issues. He also played a leading role as a founding member of the Sedona Group’s Trade Secret Working Group and recently served as Senior Editor of the Sedona Group’s paper Protecting Trade Secrets throughout the Employment Life Cycle. He is also the co-editor and an author of a leading Trade Secrets treatise titled Trade Secret Litigation and Protection: A Practice Guide to the DTSA and the CUTSA. He has been recognized as recommended individual or leading lawyer by Chambers USA, the Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.), IAM Patent 1000, and as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star (Thomson Reuters) (2009, 2013-2016).
He served as a judicial extern for the Superior Court of Yolo County, Civil Law Division and the Honorable Christopher M. Klein of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California.
- Certificate of Achievement in Lean Six Sigma, Villanova University
- JD, University of California Davis School of Law
Moot Court Participant, Duberstein National Bankruptcy
University of California, Davis Law Review, executive editor
Public Interest Scholar - BA, Gonzaga University
Summa cum laude
Alpha Sigma Nu
Phi Alpha Theta
- California
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Eastern District of California
- US District Court, Northern District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
- California Supreme Court
Related Services
- Blockchain Technologies
- Class & Collective Actions
- Consumer Class Actions
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment
- Employment Agreements & Covenants
- Employment Litigation
- Financial Products & Technology
- Intellectual Property Counseling & Prosecution
- International Dispute Resolution
- Patent Litigation
- Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Real Estate Litigation
- Remote Workforces
- Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes
- Trial
- Wage Hour Class & Collective Actions
- White Collar Defense & Investigations
- Workplace Privacy & Biometrics
Related Key Industries
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
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Blog Post
Oct 4, 2024
Seyfarth Recognized in WIPR’s 2024 Global Trade Secrets Rankings
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Recognition
10/03/2024
Seyfarth Cited in World Intellectual Property Review’s 2024 Global Trade Secrets Rankings
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Blog Post
Aug 21, 2024
Federal Texas Court Sets Aside with “Nationwide Effect” FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes
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Legal Update
Aug 21, 2024
Federal Texas Court Sets Aside with “Nationwide Effect” the FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes
- Recognized in Who's Who Legal (Lexology) for Intellectual Property (2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Individual (US nationally) by IAM Patent 1000 (2024)
- Recognized for Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets (California) by Chambers USA (2023-2024)
- Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Litigation - Intellectual Property - Trade secrets by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2021-2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Litigation - Intellectual Property - Trade secrets by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2011, 2013-2014, 2016-2024)
- Recognized as a 2022 Top Trade Secrets Attorney by The Daily Journal (2022)
- Intellectual Property Owners Association, member
- ITechLaw Association, IP Committee chair
- California Lawyer Association (Business Law Section; Intellectual Property Section, Trade Secret Interest Group; Employment Law Section; Litigation Section)
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Inn of Court
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- International Franchise Association
- Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- American Bar Association, Trade Secrets and Tortious Interference Committee chair
- The Sedona Conference’s Working Group 12 on Trade Secrets, Inaugural Steering Committee
- Co-Author, “Federal Texas Court Sets Aside with “Nationwide Effect” the FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 21, 2024)
- Co-Author, “FTC Non-Compete Ban: What You Need to Know,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 25, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Guarding Secrets: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Restrictive Covenants in 2024," 2024 Commercial Litigation Outlook, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 2024)
- Co-Author, "FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes with Employees and Workers and Limiting Employer Protections Against Unfair Competition," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 5, 2023)
- Co-Author, "50 State Desktop Reference What Businesses Need to Know about Non-Competes and Trade Secrets Law," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2022)
- Co-Author, "2022 Trade Secrets Webinar Series: Takeaways & Recordings," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 29, 2022)
- Co-Author, Trade Secret Litigation and Protection: A Practical Guide to the DTSA and CUTSA (April 15, 2022)
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Senior Editor, "Commentary on Protecting Trade Secrets throughout the Employment Life Cycle," The Sedona Conference (April 2022)
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Co-Editor and chapter Author, "Trade Secret Litigation and Protection: A Practice Guide to the DTSA and the CUTSA," The Intellectual Property Section California Lawyers Association (April 2022)
- Co-Author, "Virtual arbitrations provide litigants solutions," Daily Journal (May 28, 2021)
- Author, "Remote Workforces Increase Pressure on Keeping Trade Secrets Protected," Top Trade Secrets Lawyers 2020, Daily Journal (October 7, 2020)
- Co-Author, "California Supreme Court Clarifies Pleading Requirements for Claims of Tortious Interference with At-Will Contracts," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Self-Driving to Federal Prison: The Trade Secret Theft Saga of Anthony Levandowski Continues," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 13, 2020)
- Co-Author, "It’s Time for the Main Event: How the Reinforced TCPA May Play a Pivotal Role in the 2020 Elections," Consumer Class Defense Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Mass Texts: How the Cannabis Industry Must Deal with the Surge of TCPA Class Actions During COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 22, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Can’t We Just Be Like California?," Daily Journal (June 23, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Mass Texts: How the Cannabis Industry Must Deal with the Surge of TCPA Class Actions During Covid-19," Blunt Truth Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Avoiding California’s Consumer Law Pitfalls Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic," The Recorder (June 15, 2020); Consumer Class Defense Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "‘Can’t we just be like California?' Another solution in search of a problem," Daily Journal (June 9, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Membership Fee Refund Class Actions Hitting the Office, the Gym, the Club, and the Park," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2020)
- Co-Author, "No Rest For The Plaintiffs’ Bar: Companies Using Automatic Renewal Business Model With California Consumers Face Increased Risk of Class Actions During The Pandemic," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 19, 2020)
- Co-Author, "The Sedona Conference Seeks Public Comment on the Identification of Asserted Trade Secrets in Misappropriation Cases," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 19, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Cal/OSHA and Health Department Publish COVID-19 Guidance for Dine-In Restaurants," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Avoiding California’s Consumer Law Pitfalls Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 14, 2020)
- Co-Author, "COVID-19 Refund Policies for Season Tickets, Season Passes, and Annual Festivals," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 6, 2020)
- Co-Author, "CA Judicial Council Adopts Rules Concerning Statute of Limitations, Evictions and Judicial Foreclosures, and Remote Accessibility in State Court Proceedings in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 8, 2020)
- Co-Author, "The Impact of COVID-19 on the California Consumer Privacy Act," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 6, 2020); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 7, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Issues Decision Significantly Expanding the Scope of FOIA’s Confidentiality Exemption," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019); Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 16, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Recap! ITechLaw 2019 World Technology Conference in Boston," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 10, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Oregon Adds Employee-Friendly Requirement to Existing Non-Compete Law… But Also Produces Company-Friendly Trade Secrets Law in Recent Court of Appeals Case," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 24, 2019); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019)
- Co-Contributor, "Protecting Trade Secrets—Recent EU and US Reforms," International Chamber of Commerce Report (ICC) (April 23, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Developments and Headlines in Trade Secret, Non-Compete, and Computer Fraud Law in 2018/2019," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2019); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 6, 2019)
- Co-Author, The 2018 Trading Secrets Year in Review, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 4, 2019)
- Authored a chapter in the 2019 update of Data Security and Privacy Law book (2019)
- Co-Author, "That’s The Last Straw: California Places New Restrictions on Restaurants," Consumer Class Defense Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 31, 2018); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 31, 2018)
- Co-Author, "California Federal District Court Grants TRO and Preliminary Injunction to Protect Trade Secret Customer Lists," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 13, 2018)
- Co-Author, "2018 Trade Secrets and Non-Competes Webinar Series Year in Review," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 7, 2018)
- Co-Author, "California Appellate Panel Affirms Injunction Blocking Use of Employee Non-Solicitation Provision in Dispute Between Travel Nurse Providers," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 16, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Subscription Services, Beware," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 25, 2018)
- Co-Author, “How The Cloud and Mobile Devices Have Changed Discovery,” Corporate Counsel Business Journal (July 2018)
- Co-Author, "FDA Menu Labeling Rules to Unfreeze," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 7, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Top Developments and Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2017 and What We Expect in 2018," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Nevada Adds Requirements for Valid Non-Competition Agreements and Allows Blue-Penciling," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 7, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Non-Compete Agreements," California Lawyer (May 17, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Hold That Order! FDA Freezes Menu Labeling Rules Until 2018,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 5, 2017)
- Co-Author, "The Key to Protecting Trade Secrets," Intellectual Property Magazine (May 4, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Last Minute Challenge to FDA Menu Labeling Rules,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 17, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Top Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2016,” Global Banking & Finance Review (February 24, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Top Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2016,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2017)
- Co-Author, “2016 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Year in Review,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 5, 2017)
- Co-Author, "What Does the Passage of the Defend Trade Secrets Act Mean for Your Business?," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2016)
- "Five Easy Tips for Improving Your Company’s Non-Compete and Confidentiality Agreements and Related Practices Now," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 10, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2015," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 19, 2016)
- Co-Author, "California’s Auto Subscription Law Leads to Wave of California Consumer Class Actions,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 3, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Pennsylvania’s Highest Court Rules Continuing Employment Insufficient Consideration for Non-Compete," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 24, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Latest Updates on Federal Trade Secrets Legislation," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 8, 2015)
- Co-Author, "FDA Delays Calorie Disclosure and Menu Labeling Compliance for One Year," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 6, 2015)
- "Hawaii Bans Non-Compete and Non-Solicit Agreements with Technology Workers," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 7, 2015)
- Co-Author, "New Sweeping Calorie and Nutrition Labeling Requirements for Restaurants," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 24, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Ninth Circuit Jeopardizes Broad “No Re-Hire” Clauses," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 14, 2015)
- Co-Author, "SEC Cracks Down On Agreement Requiring In-House Reporting of Fraud Complaint," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 1, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2014," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 15, 2015)
- Co-Author, "2014 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Year in Review," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 17, 2014)
- Co-Author, "Trade Secret Disputes and Employment Risks," Corporate Disputes (October 2014)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Trade Secrets Group Creates Resource To Track Latest Updates on Proposed Federal Trade Secrets Legislation," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2014)
- "Push for Federal Trade Secret Legislation Gaining Momentum," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 15, 2014)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2013," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 6, 2014)
- Co-Author, “Allegedly False Statements Posted on Internet Regarding Pending Litigation Can Support Defamation Claim,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 25, 2013)
- Co-Author, "Highlighting Significant Business Litigation Decisions from the Third Quarter of 2013," California Litigation Newsletter, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 11, 2013)
- Co-Author, “Keeping Trade Secrets in Social Media and Cloud Computing,” IP Litigator, Volume 19 Number 4 (July/August 2013)
- Co-Author, "Highlighting Significant California Business Decisions from the Second Quarter of 2013," California Litigation Newsletter, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 12, 2013)
- "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in the United States in 2012," ITech Law Journal (May 2013)
- Co-Author, “Federal Court Denies Class Certification in California Call Monitoring Case,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 19, 2013)
- Co-Author, “California Decision Expands Companies’ Ability to Bring UCL Claims Against Competitors,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2013)
- Co-Author, “Highlighting Significant Business Litigation Decisions from the First Quarter of 2013,” California Business Litigation Newsletter, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2013)
- Co-Author, “United States Announces Multifaceted Plan To Combat Trade Secret Theft At Home And Abroad,”Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 25, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New California Supreme Court Decision Will Make it More Difficult to Enforce Integrated Written Contracts,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2013)
- Co-Author, “Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2012,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 3, 2013)
- “2012 Trade Secrets Webinar Series - Year in Review,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 20, 2012)
- Co-Author, "One on One’ General Practice Section Publication," New York State Bar Association (Fall 2012)
- Co-Author, “New Law Protecting Personal Social Media Of California Employees and Students Adopted In California,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 1, 2012)
- Co-Author, “California Court Rules That Non-Competition Agreement Contained In Employment Agreement Is Unenforceable Against Former Seller Even Though It Was Executed In Connection With The Sales Of A Business,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 29, 2012)
- Co-Author, “New Hampshire Enacts New Law Requiring Disclosure of Non-Compete and Non-Piracy Agreements Prior to Job Offer And Change In Job Classification,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2012)
- "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law," Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal (Volume 24, Number 4) (April 2012)
- "Data Breach! What Next? Privacy Tips for IP Professionals," New Matter, Vol. 36 No. 2 (July 2011)
- "Combating Employee Data Theft With CFAA," Law360 (June 15, 2011)
- "Recent Court Decisions Further Limit Use of Competitive Contractual Restrictions With California Employees and Demonstrate Need For Employers To Develop Effective Trade Secret Protection Plans," California Employer (March 2011)
- Co-Editor, "Trade Secret Protection And Litigation In California Treatise," (2011)
- Courts Split on Proof Requirements for Unauthorized Access in Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Cases, Oxford Univ. Press's Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice (February 2010)
- "Keeping On The Right Side of The Line: A Trade Secret Law Perspective," SCIP (December 2009)
- "Unhealthy Competition," Daily Journal (April 2, 2009)
- "Noncompetition Agreements Invalidated," California Employment Law Special Report, published by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) (April 2009)
- "Is Your Company's Non-Competition Clause Enforceable?," California Lawyer (Vol. 29, No. 2) 36 (February 2009)
- "Your Company Cannot Afford Not to Adequately Protect Its Trade Secrets and Other Confidential Information," Bloomberg Law Reports, Vol. 2 No. 47 (November 2008)
- "Recent California Appellate Decision Highlights Additional Arrow in the Trade Secret Litigator’s Quiver: Attacking the Independent Economic Value Element of a Trade Secret Misappropriation Claim," New Matter, Vol. 33 No. 3 (November 2008)
- "California Supreme Court Rejects the Ninth Circuit’s Narrow Restraint Exception to California’s Prohibition on Employee Noncompetition Agreements," Bloomberg Law Reports, Vol. 2, No. 34 (August 25, 2008)
- "California Court of Appeal Strikes Down the State’s Latest Attempt to Divert Public Pension Funds to Address Fiscal Problems," The NAPPA Report (February 2008)
- "Recent California State Court Decision Strikes Down Broad No-Hire Provision," New Matter, Vol. 32 No. 3 (November 2007)
- "Ruling Nixes Broad 'No-Hire' Provisions," Employment Law360 (August 2007)
- "California’s SB 20 –The Latest Attempt to Divert Public Pension Funds to Address Fiscal Problems," The NAPPA Report (November 2006)
- "Protecting Your Company’s Trade Secrets," Sacramento Area Human Resource Association Newsletter (August 2006)
- "Putting an End to Judicial Lawmaking: Abolishing the Undue Hardship Exception for Student Loans in Bankruptcy," 34 University of California - Davis Law Review 221 (Fall 2000)
- Co-Presenter, “Deciphering the FTC's Non-Compete Ban: Navigating the New Regulatory Terrain and Adequately Protecting Employers' Interests,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 3, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "2023 Trade Secrets & Non-Competes Year in Review," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 30, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "What Employers Need to Know Regarding Non-Compete Changes in 2023," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 29, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "What Does the FTC’s Crackdown on Non-Competes Mean for Trade Secrets?," Webinar, California Lawyers Association (March 8, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Policy Matters Podcast - Episode 33: FTC’s Crackdown on Non-Competes Through Agency Rulemaking Part 2," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 10, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Policy Matters Podcast - Episode 33: FTC’s Crackdown on Non-Competes Through Agency Rulemaking Part 1," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 7, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "2022 Trade Secrets & Non-Competes Year in Review," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 24, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes. Now What?," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 12, 2023)
- "Negotiating Enforceable Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Agreements: Compliance with State Statutes and Case Law," Webinar, Strafford (November 30, 2022)
- "Latest Developments in Trade Secrets Litigation and Protection," California Lawyers Association 2022 IP Institute, Dana Point, CA (November 4, 2022)
- "Noncompetes Under New State Law Restrictions: Wage Requirements, Notice Time, Layoffs, Proposed Federal Legislation," Webinar, Strafford (June 29, 2022)
- "It’s 10:00 pm. Do You Know Where Your Company’s Crown Jewels Are? Does Someone Else? Trade Secrets as an Information Asset," MER Conference, Indianapolis, IN (May 11, 2022)
- “Leveraging Internal Assets in the Governance and Management of Trade Secrets,” The 2022 Sedona Conference on Trade Secrets, Denver, CO (May 10, 2022)
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"Closing Plenary - Mid-Year Updates and Ethics of Inventorship of AI Patenting," AIPLA Mid-Winter Institute, Rancho Mirage, CA (February 4, 2022)
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"2021 Trade Secrets & Non-Competes Year in Review," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2022)
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"Comprehensive Guide on Securing and Enforcing Trade Secrets: Demystifying Best Practices," The Knowledge Group (December 15, 2021)
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"Anatomy of an M&A Transaction: How to Issue Spot for Non-Compete, Trade Secrets/Confidential Information, and Intellectual Capital Concerns," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 8, 2021)
- "Leveraging Internal Assets in the Governance and Management of Trade Secrets," The 2021 Sedona Conference on Developing Guidelines for Trade Secret Issues (June 22, 2021)
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"Remote Trials and ADR," The 2021 Sedona Conference on Remote Case Management of IP Proceedings (June 11, 2021)
- "Hot Topics and Trends in California Consumer Class Actions," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 15, 2021)
- "2020 Year in Review: What You Need to Know about the Recent Cases and Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Competes, and Computer Fraud Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 26, 2021)
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Moderator, "Latest Developments in Trade Secrets Law and Employee Mobility," Shelter in Place Institute, California Lawyers Association Intellectual Property Law Section (November 13, 2020)
- "Trade Secrets in Cannabis," Webinar, California Lawyers Association (October 21, 2020)
- "Structuring Termination Clauses in Commercial Contracts: Force Majeure, Impossibility, Frustration of Purpose, Damages," Webinar, Strafford CLE (October 15, 2020)
- "Higher Education: Navigating Back to School in the COVID Era," Virtual Panel Discussion, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 20, 2020)
- "How to Manage and Resolve Complex Commercial Disputes: A Practice Guide," Webinar, The Knowledge Group (August 20, 2020)
- "Handling a Remote Work Force and Return to Work Considerations in the Age of COVID-19: Best Practices for Protecting Trade Secrets and Confidential Information," Webinar, California Continuing Education of the Bar (July 21, 2020)
- "Desperately Seeking Post-COVID Sales? Don’t Forget About the TCPA and the CAN-SPAM Act When Designing Your Marketing Communications Strategy," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2020)
- "Non-Competes Under New State Law Restrictions: Wage Requirements, Notice, Time, Layoffs, Proposed Federal Legislation," Webinar, Strafford CLE (July 14, 2020)
- "COVID-19-Related Consumer Class Action Developments and Trends in California ," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 27, 2020)
- "Force Majeure Under California and COVID Law," Virtual Panel Discussion, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2020)
- "The California Consumer Privacy Act – What It Is and What Clients Need to Know, Particularly in Light of COVID-19," ITechLaw (April 7, 2020)
- "2019 Year in Review: What You Need to Know About the Recent Cases and Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Competes, and Computer Fraud for 2020," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2020)
- "Hot Topics and Trends in California Consumer Class Actions," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 7, 2019)
- "Latest Developments in Trade Secrets Law and Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements," Webinar, myLawCLE (February 26, 2019)
- "2018 Year in Review: What You Need to Know about the Recent Cases and Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Compete, and Computer Fraud," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 29, 2019)
- "Protecting Trade Secrets from Cyber and Other Threats," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 24, 2018)
- "LA hACCess: Hot Topics and Trends in Consumer Class Action Law for Companies Doing Business in California," Webinar, ACC (June 5, 2018)
- "2017 National Year In Review: What You Need to Know About the Recent Cases/Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Compete, and Computer Fraud Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 25, 2018)
- "Hot Topics and Trends in Consumer Class Action Law for Companies Conducting Business in California," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 8, 2017)
- "Trade Secret Protection: What Every Employer Needs to Know," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 18, 2017)
- 2017 World Technology Law Conference, Chicago, IL (May 3, 2017)
- "Trade Secret Protection: What Every California Employer Needs to Know," Client Event, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 2017)
- "Auditing Employers’ Trade Secret Protection Protocols After the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016," Webinar (February 9, 2017)
- "2016 National Year In Review: What You Need to Know About the Recent Cases/Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Compete, and Computer Fraud Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 2, 2017)
- Presenter and Co-Chair, "CLE International Conference on DTSA," CLE International 2017 Inaugural Conference Defend Trade Secrets Act: Navigating Risks & Opportunities Under Federal Law (January 20, 2017)
- Moderator, "Disruptive Technologies," ITechLaw European Conference, Madrid, Spain (November 2016)
- "Trade Secret Audits: You can’t protect what you don’t know you have," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 16, 2016)
- "The Defend Trade Secrets Act - The Lawyer and Forensic Technologist Perspective," Webcast, presented by The Knowledge Group (August 18, 2016)
- "New Year, New Progress: 2016 Update on Defend Trade Secrets Act & EU Directive," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 29, 2016)
- Program Chair, "Intellectual Property Theft in the Workplace," Intellectual Property Protection and Social Media Issues in the Workplace, San Francisco, CA (January 19, 2016)
- "Legal Project Management for Litigators," National Bar Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA (2015)
- "CELC’s Annual Meeting," California Employment Law Council’s Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (November 13, 2015)
- Moderator, "Trade Secret Protection Best Practices: Hiring Competitors’ Employees and Protecting the Company When Competitors Hire Yours," 2015 Advanced Labor & Employment Law Conference for In-House Counsel, Los Angeles, CA (October 29, 2015)
- "Social Media Privacy Legislation Update," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 27, 2015)
- "Important New Trade Secret Cases and Pending Federal Legislation," A Comprehensive Two-Day Conference on Recent Developments in Trade Secret Law and Strategies, presented by Law Seminars International, Seattle, WA (October 15, 2015)
- "IP: Trade Secrets," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 6, 2015)
- "Retailers: How to Reduce Your Risk of a Class Action Lawsuit," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2015)
- "Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Law Update," ABA Annual Meeting (July 30, 2015)
- "Hot Topics in Trade Secret Law," The State Bar of California Webinar (July 14, 2015)
- "How and Why California is Different When it Comes to Trade Secrets and Non-Competes," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 23, 2015)
- "Trade Secrets Protection Act & Defend Trade Secrets Act: 2015 Updates LIVE Webcast," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2015)
- "2014 National Year in Review: What You Need to Know About the Recent Cases/Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Compete and Computer Fraud Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2015)
- "Trade Secret Protection Best Practices: Hiring Competitors' Employees and Protecting the Company When Competitors Hire Yours," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 13, 2014)
- "How and Why California is Different When it Comes to Trade Secrets and Non-Competes," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 28, 2014)
- "Protecting Trade Secrets," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 7, 2014)
- "Latest Developments in Trade Secret and Non-Compete Law," ABA Annual Meeting, IP Central, Boston, MA (August 7, 2014)
- "Avoiding Liability and Limiting Exposure Under California’s Call Recording and Monitoring Privacy Laws," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 29, 2014)
- "Barbarians at the Gate: Class Action Avoidance and Mitigation for Data Breach," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2014)
- "How Businesses Can Effectively Protect Their Trade Secrets and Conduct Investigations," ABA Intellectual Property Law Conference, Arlington, VA (April 3, 2014)
- "Cybersecurity, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and Trade Secrets," State Bar of California IP Section Annual Institute (November 7-9, 2013)
- "The Dynamics of a Trade Secret Case - The Joys, Burdens & Frictions of the In-House & Outside Counsel Relationship?" AIPLA Trade Secret Law Summit, Washington, DC (October 22, 2013)
- "Hot Topics in Trade Secrets Across the Nation," ABA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (August 9, 2013)
- Moderator, "Patents vs. Trade Secrets: Best Practices for Protecting and Enforcing IP," State Bar of California Intellectual Property Section (August 7, 2013)
- "Representation of Clients in Cross-Border Corporate and Transactional Matters, Including Protecting Valuable Assets," California State Bar International Law Section’s Taking Your Practice International Program, San Diego, CA (May 31, 2013)
- "Trade Secrets and Cybersecurity: What Every Attorney Should Know," Bridgeport Continuing Education, Los Angeles, CA (May 17, 2013)
- "Big Data and Privacy," 2013 ITechLaw World Technology Conference & Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ (May 2, 2013)
- "Threats to Trade Secrets and Cybersecurity and Mitigation Strategies," Bridgeport Trade Secret Conference (May 2013)
- "The Masters Conference on Trade Secrets and Cloud Computing," Masters Series, San Francisco, CA (April 17, 2013)
- "Keeping Trade Secrets Secret In Age of Social Media and Cloud Computing," 28th ABA-IP Law Conference, Arlington, VA (April 3, 2013)
- "The Latest Developments in Social Media in the US, Europe, and Latin America from an IP Rights Perspective," ITech Law Webinar (January 30, 2013)
- "Recent Amendments To Economic Espionage Act," ITechLaw and California State Bar Trade Secret Group (January 2013)
- "'Hiring Competitors' Employees and Protecting the Company When Competitors Hire Yours," Innovative Video Webinar on Trade Secret Protection Best Practices (December 6, 2012)
- "Protecting and Maintaining Trade Secrets and Confidential Information In The Age of Social Media and Cloud Computing," California State Bar IP Institute (November 9, 2012)
- "Trade Secrets Breakfast Briefing," Breakfast Briefing, Los Angeles and Orange County (October 25 & 27, 2012)
- "Legal Developments in Protecting IP from Infringement on the Internet: Failure of SOPA and PIPA," 2012 ITechLaw World Technology Conference & Annual Meeting, Washington DC (May 3, 2012)
- "Online Copyright Infringement, File Sharing and ISPs," ITech Law Webinar (February 29, 2012)
- "Global Dancing Among the Clouds - The Legal Impact of Social Media and Cloud Computing," Annual Meeting of Intellectual Property Law Section for the New York Bar Association (January 24, 2012)
- "Online Copyright Infringement, File Sharing and ISPs - Where Are We Now?" ITechLaw Webinar (July 26, 2011)
- "Hot Topics in California Trade Secret Law," State Bar of California Intellectual Property Section, Trade Secret Subcommittee (June 2011)
- "Hot Topics in California Trade Secret Law," California State Bar Intellectual Property Section Program Los Angeles, CA (May 4, 2011)
- "The Anatomy of a Trade Secret Audit: Is the Data that Drives Your Company Adequately Protected?" Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 2011)
- "Managing and Protecting Information (Including Trade Secrets) in the Cloud," 2011 ITechLaw World Technology Law Conference & Annual Meeting (May 2011)
- "Corporate Website Hazards: What In-House Counsel Needs to Know," Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Corporate Law Department Section Business Roundtable (February 2011)
- "Trade Secret Protection in a Mobile Employment Environment," State Bar of California Annual Meeting (September 2010)
- "Trade Secret Litigation and Protection in California," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 2010)
- "Employees Run Amok: A Roundtable Program on Recent Developments in California Trade Secrets Law and Covenants Not to Compete," Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Corporate Law Department Section (April 2010)
- "Keeping on The Right Side of the Line: Best Practices for Acquiring Competitive Intelligence from A Legal Perspective," Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) 2010 International Conference and Exhibition (March 2010)
- "Dowell v. Biosense Webster, Inc.," Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of California, Trade Secret Subsection (February 2010)
- "Litigation / Arbitration with Franchisees: Cost Containment: How, When & Why," International Franchise Association’s 50th Annual Convention (February 2010)
- "Brescia v. Angelin: Trade Secret Identification Under C.C.P. § 2019.210," California State Bar’s Trade Secret Standing Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Section (July 2009)
- "Operating in a Challenging Economy - Creating Efficiencies, Process Improvements and Predictability in Commercial and Employment Litigation," Association of Corporate Counsel (July 2009)
- "Protecting Trade Secrets in Times of Increased Staff Mobility," National Business Institute, National Live Teleconference (July 2009)
- "Psst! Can You Keep a Secret? Making Sure that Trade Secrets Stay Secret Under the UTSA," Beverly Hills Bar Association Intellectual Property, Internet & New Media Section (July 2009)
- "Best Practices for Gathering Intelligence and Sealing Leaks Without Exposing Yourself and Your Company to Liability," Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois (April 23, 2009)
- "Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation Issues in the Franchise Context," International Franchise Association Annual Convention, San Diego, CA (February 17, 2009)
- "Asset Marketing Systems, Inc. v. Gagnon: Ninth Circuit Recognizes Trade Secret Exception to Business and Professions Code Section 16600?" California State Bar’s Trade Secret Standing Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Section (September 2008)
- "Strategies for Handling Trade Secret Disputes," California State Bar Annual Meeting (September 2008)
- "How Not to Inadvertently Waive the Attorney Client Privilege," Association of Corporate Counsel (July 2008)
- "Anti-Slapp Motions & Cease and Desist Letters," California State Bar's Trade Secret Standing Committee of the Intellectual Property Section (May 2008)
- "How to Make the Most of Mediation," Association of Corporate Counsel (Summer 2007)
- "The Impact of Edwards v. Arthur Andersen, How it Will Affect Lawyers and Their Clients," Reedlogic Video Seminars
- "Protecting Trade Secrets," Sacramento Area Human Resource Association
- "Sarbanes-Oxley for the Human Resources Function," West Coast Labor and Employment Symposium
- Quoted, "What HR Should Know as FTC Bans Most Noncompete Clauses," HRO Today (April 25, 2024)
- Quoted, "Most Noncompete Agreements Could be Banned After FTC Vote but Lawsuits are Likely," Forbes (April 23, 2024)
- Quoted, "FTC bans noncompete agreements in split vote," TechTarget (April 23, 2024)
- Quoted, "Pegasystems’ $2 Billion Appian Loss Harder to Cut Than Epic Case," Bloomberg Law (May 17, 2022)
- Referenced, "Your Questions About Non-Solicitation Agreements, Answered," The Muse (December 13, 2021)
- Quoted, "Defend Trade Secrets Act: 5 Years Later, Here's What We Know," Law360 (May 10, 2021)
- Referenced, "Higher Law: Reefer Madness at Main Justice | Meet the Lawyers in MedMen Investor Settlement | TCPA Class Actions | All the Calendar Things," Law.com (June 25, 2020)
- Quoted, "Is Noncompete Legislation A Bridge Too Far?," Human Resource Executive (November 14, 2019)
- Quoted, "Employers Should Carefully Craft Noncompetes," SHRM (April 4, 2018)
- Quoted, "Worker Mobility & Trade Secrets Still at Odds After Waymo-Uber War," Courthouse News Service (March 9, 2018)
- Quoted, "Uber-Waymo Settlement May Encourage More Caution When Pursuing Employees," Daily Journal (February 12, 2018)
- Quoted, "After Big Waymo Settlement, Uber Criminal Probe Still Looms," Law360 (February 13, 2018)
- Quoted, "3 Takeaways From the Swift End to Waymo v. Uber," The Recorder (February 9, 2018)
- Quoted, "Noncompete Roundup: Developments You Might Have Missed," Law360 (December 1, 2017)
- Quoted, "Trade Secrets Confidentiality During E-discovery an Increasing Focus for Attorneys," ALM LegalTech News (September 8, 2017)
- Quoted, "5 New Noncompete Developments Attorneys Should Know About," Law360 (August 11, 2017)
- Quoted, "Now This Forbids Staff From Taking Jobs At Other News Outlets," BuzzFeed (June 9, 2017)
- Quoted, "Avoiding Landmines When Interviewing with Rivals," Dice (May 17, 2017)
- Quoted, "As Uber and Waymo duke it out in court, the ugly battle over driverless cars is underway," Los Angeles Times (May 16, 2017)
- Quoted, "Defend Trade Secrets Act turns one year old," World Intellectual Property Review (May 11, 2017)
- Quoted, "Defend Trade Secrets Act: Lessons From Year 1," Law360 (May 10, 2017)
- Quoted, "Understanding the Defend Trade Secrets Act," Financier Worldwide (April 18, 2017)
- Quoted, "WikiLeaks' release of CIA trove a wake-up call for cyber security," Business Insurance (March 14, 2017)
- Quoted, "Alphabet Adds Trade Secret Law to Self-Driving Car Wars," Bloomberg BNA (February 28, 2017)
- Interviewed, "Trade Secret Disputes and Employment Risks: A Top Lawyer and Forensic Technologist Weigh In On the Key Issues," Metropolitan Corporate Counsel (July/August 2016)
Robert represents clients in state and federal courts in complex commercial litigation and employment litigation.
More About Robert
Robert's practice encompasses a wide variety of commercial litigation and employment matters, including general business and contract disputes, unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and other intellectual property theft, franchise litigation, real estate litigation, insurance bad faith, invasion of privacy, consumer and employee class actions, wrongful termination, discrimination and harassment claims, wage and hour disputes, ADA and OSHA compliance, whistleblower and SOX cases, bankruptcy, and other business torts. His practice focuses on trade secret, noncompete, and data protection litigation and transactional work on a state, national, and international platform.
His experience includes trials, binding arbitrations and administrative hearings, mediations, as well as appellate proceedings. Robert also provides advice to clients concerning a variety of business and employment matters, including nondisclosure, noncompete, and invention assignment agreements, corporate investigations, trade secret and intellectual property audits, commercial landlord/tenant disputes, ADA and OSHA compliance, and an assortment of franchise and bankruptcy issues.
He is a recognized national leader in trade secrets law serving on the prestigious Sedona Conference for Trade Secrets Working Group and serving as a Chair of the California Lawyer Association’s Trade Secrets Interest Group. He previously served in similar intellectual property leadership positions for the ABA and ITechLaw. Clients frequently turn to Robert for his practical and effective advice to address their trade secret and non-compete issues, including conducting internal investigations, trade secret audits, and drafting relevant agreements and policies. In the past few years alone, he has obtained numerous injunctions in several high-profile “bet the company” matters involving high-level executives and has also defeated numerous requests for injunctive relief in similar type matters.
Robert is a an industry leader on trade secret and non-compete matters and is often interviewed by the media concerning high-profile and significant trade secret matters. He played a leading role on the ABA Intellectual Property Section, and he was instrumental in drafting an ABA resolution in support of the passage of Defend Trade Secrets Act, which was credited by Congress in its ultimate passage. He is the Editor in Chief of the firm’s award-winning trade secrets blog, http://www.tradesecretslaw.com/, and he coordinates the firm’s popular trade secrets webinar series, which produces regular timely content on significant trade secret issues. He also played a leading role as a founding member of the Sedona Group’s Trade Secret Working Group and recently served as Senior Editor of the Sedona Group’s paper Protecting Trade Secrets throughout the Employment Life Cycle. He is also the co-editor and an author of a leading Trade Secrets treatise titled Trade Secret Litigation and Protection: A Practice Guide to the DTSA and the CUTSA. He has been recognized as recommended individual or leading lawyer by Chambers USA, the Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.), IAM Patent 1000, and as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star (Thomson Reuters) (2009, 2013-2016).
He served as a judicial extern for the Superior Court of Yolo County, Civil Law Division and the Honorable Christopher M. Klein of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California.
His experience includes trials, binding arbitrations and administrative hearings, mediations, as well as appellate proceedings. Robert also provides advice to clients concerning a variety of business and employment matters, including nondisclosure, noncompete, and invention assignment agreements, corporate investigations, trade secret and intellectual property audits, commercial landlord/tenant disputes, ADA and OSHA compliance, and an assortment of franchise and bankruptcy issues.
He is a recognized national leader in trade secrets law serving on the prestigious Sedona Conference for Trade Secrets Working Group and serving as a Chair of the California Lawyer Association’s Trade Secrets Interest Group. He previously served in similar intellectual property leadership positions for the ABA and ITechLaw. Clients frequently turn to Robert for his practical and effective advice to address their trade secret and non-compete issues, including conducting internal investigations, trade secret audits, and drafting relevant agreements and policies. In the past few years alone, he has obtained numerous injunctions in several high-profile “bet the company” matters involving high-level executives and has also defeated numerous requests for injunctive relief in similar type matters.
Robert is a an industry leader on trade secret and non-compete matters and is often interviewed by the media concerning high-profile and significant trade secret matters. He played a leading role on the ABA Intellectual Property Section, and he was instrumental in drafting an ABA resolution in support of the passage of Defend Trade Secrets Act, which was credited by Congress in its ultimate passage. He is the Editor in Chief of the firm’s award-winning trade secrets blog, http://www.tradesecretslaw.com/, and he coordinates the firm’s popular trade secrets webinar series, which produces regular timely content on significant trade secret issues. He also played a leading role as a founding member of the Sedona Group’s Trade Secret Working Group and recently served as Senior Editor of the Sedona Group’s paper Protecting Trade Secrets throughout the Employment Life Cycle. He is also the co-editor and an author of a leading Trade Secrets treatise titled Trade Secret Litigation and Protection: A Practice Guide to the DTSA and the CUTSA. He has been recognized as recommended individual or leading lawyer by Chambers USA, the Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.), IAM Patent 1000, and as a Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Star (Thomson Reuters) (2009, 2013-2016).
He served as a judicial extern for the Superior Court of Yolo County, Civil Law Division and the Honorable Christopher M. Klein of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California.
- Certificate of Achievement in Lean Six Sigma, Villanova University
- JD, University of California Davis School of Law
Moot Court Participant, Duberstein National Bankruptcy
University of California, Davis Law Review, executive editor
Public Interest Scholar - BA, Gonzaga University
Summa cum laude
Alpha Sigma Nu
Phi Alpha Theta
- California
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US District Court, Central District of California
- US District Court, Eastern District of California
- US District Court, Northern District of California
- US District Court, Southern District of California
- California Supreme Court
Related Services
- Blockchain Technologies
- Class & Collective Actions
- Consumer Class Actions
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment
- Employment Agreements & Covenants
- Employment Litigation
- Financial Products & Technology
- Intellectual Property Counseling & Prosecution
- International Dispute Resolution
- Patent Litigation
- Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Real Estate Litigation
- Remote Workforces
- Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes
- Trial
- Wage Hour Class & Collective Actions
- White Collar Defense & Investigations
- Workplace Privacy & Biometrics
Related Key Industries
Related Trends
Related News & Insights
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Blog Post
Oct 4, 2024
Seyfarth Recognized in WIPR’s 2024 Global Trade Secrets Rankings
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Recognition
10/03/2024
Seyfarth Cited in World Intellectual Property Review’s 2024 Global Trade Secrets Rankings
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Blog Post
Aug 21, 2024
Federal Texas Court Sets Aside with “Nationwide Effect” FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes
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Legal Update
Aug 21, 2024
Federal Texas Court Sets Aside with “Nationwide Effect” the FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes
- Recognized in Who's Who Legal (Lexology) for Intellectual Property (2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Individual (US nationally) by IAM Patent 1000 (2024)
- Recognized for Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Trade Secrets (California) by Chambers USA (2023-2024)
- Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Litigation - Intellectual Property - Trade secrets by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2021-2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Litigation - Intellectual Property - Trade secrets by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2011, 2013-2014, 2016-2024)
- Recognized as a 2022 Top Trade Secrets Attorney by The Daily Journal (2022)
- Intellectual Property Owners Association, member
- ITechLaw Association, IP Committee chair
- California Lawyer Association (Business Law Section; Intellectual Property Section, Trade Secret Interest Group; Employment Law Section; Litigation Section)
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Inn of Court
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- International Franchise Association
- Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers
- American Bar Association, Trade Secrets and Tortious Interference Committee chair
- The Sedona Conference’s Working Group 12 on Trade Secrets, Inaugural Steering Committee
- Co-Author, “Federal Texas Court Sets Aside with “Nationwide Effect” the FTC Rule Banning Non-Competes,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 21, 2024)
- Co-Author, “FTC Non-Compete Ban: What You Need to Know,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 25, 2024)
- Co-Author, "Guarding Secrets: Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Restrictive Covenants in 2024," 2024 Commercial Litigation Outlook, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 2024)
- Co-Author, "FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes with Employees and Workers and Limiting Employer Protections Against Unfair Competition," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 5, 2023)
- Co-Author, "50 State Desktop Reference What Businesses Need to Know about Non-Competes and Trade Secrets Law," Seyfarth Shaw LLP (2022)
- Co-Author, "2022 Trade Secrets Webinar Series: Takeaways & Recordings," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 29, 2022)
- Co-Author, Trade Secret Litigation and Protection: A Practical Guide to the DTSA and CUTSA (April 15, 2022)
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Senior Editor, "Commentary on Protecting Trade Secrets throughout the Employment Life Cycle," The Sedona Conference (April 2022)
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Co-Editor and chapter Author, "Trade Secret Litigation and Protection: A Practice Guide to the DTSA and the CUTSA," The Intellectual Property Section California Lawyers Association (April 2022)
- Co-Author, "Virtual arbitrations provide litigants solutions," Daily Journal (May 28, 2021)
- Author, "Remote Workforces Increase Pressure on Keeping Trade Secrets Protected," Top Trade Secrets Lawyers 2020, Daily Journal (October 7, 2020)
- Co-Author, "California Supreme Court Clarifies Pleading Requirements for Claims of Tortious Interference with At-Will Contracts," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Self-Driving to Federal Prison: The Trade Secret Theft Saga of Anthony Levandowski Continues," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 13, 2020)
- Co-Author, "It’s Time for the Main Event: How the Reinforced TCPA May Play a Pivotal Role in the 2020 Elections," Consumer Class Defense Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Mass Texts: How the Cannabis Industry Must Deal with the Surge of TCPA Class Actions During COVID-19," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 22, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Can’t We Just Be Like California?," Daily Journal (June 23, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Mass Texts: How the Cannabis Industry Must Deal with the Surge of TCPA Class Actions During Covid-19," Blunt Truth Law Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Avoiding California’s Consumer Law Pitfalls Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic," The Recorder (June 15, 2020); Consumer Class Defense Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "‘Can’t we just be like California?' Another solution in search of a problem," Daily Journal (June 9, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Membership Fee Refund Class Actions Hitting the Office, the Gym, the Club, and the Park," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2020)
- Co-Author, "No Rest For The Plaintiffs’ Bar: Companies Using Automatic Renewal Business Model With California Consumers Face Increased Risk of Class Actions During The Pandemic," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 19, 2020)
- Co-Author, "The Sedona Conference Seeks Public Comment on the Identification of Asserted Trade Secrets in Misappropriation Cases," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 19, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Cal/OSHA and Health Department Publish COVID-19 Guidance for Dine-In Restaurants," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 15, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Avoiding California’s Consumer Law Pitfalls Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 14, 2020)
- Co-Author, "COVID-19 Refund Policies for Season Tickets, Season Passes, and Annual Festivals," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 6, 2020)
- Co-Author, "CA Judicial Council Adopts Rules Concerning Statute of Limitations, Evictions and Judicial Foreclosures, and Remote Accessibility in State Court Proceedings in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 8, 2020)
- Co-Author, "The Impact of COVID-19 on the California Consumer Privacy Act," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 6, 2020); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 7, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Issues Decision Significantly Expanding the Scope of FOIA’s Confidentiality Exemption," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019); Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 16, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Recap! ITechLaw 2019 World Technology Conference in Boston," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 10, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Oregon Adds Employee-Friendly Requirement to Existing Non-Compete Law… But Also Produces Company-Friendly Trade Secrets Law in Recent Court of Appeals Case," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 24, 2019); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019)
- Co-Contributor, "Protecting Trade Secrets—Recent EU and US Reforms," International Chamber of Commerce Report (ICC) (April 23, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Developments and Headlines in Trade Secret, Non-Compete, and Computer Fraud Law in 2018/2019," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2019); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 6, 2019)
- Co-Author, The 2018 Trading Secrets Year in Review, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 4, 2019)
- Authored a chapter in the 2019 update of Data Security and Privacy Law book (2019)
- Co-Author, "That’s The Last Straw: California Places New Restrictions on Restaurants," Consumer Class Defense Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 31, 2018); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 31, 2018)
- Co-Author, "California Federal District Court Grants TRO and Preliminary Injunction to Protect Trade Secret Customer Lists," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 13, 2018)
- Co-Author, "2018 Trade Secrets and Non-Competes Webinar Series Year in Review," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 7, 2018)
- Co-Author, "California Appellate Panel Affirms Injunction Blocking Use of Employee Non-Solicitation Provision in Dispute Between Travel Nurse Providers," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 16, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Subscription Services, Beware," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 25, 2018)
- Co-Author, “How The Cloud and Mobile Devices Have Changed Discovery,” Corporate Counsel Business Journal (July 2018)
- Co-Author, "FDA Menu Labeling Rules to Unfreeze," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 7, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Top Developments and Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2017 and What We Expect in 2018," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 2, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Nevada Adds Requirements for Valid Non-Competition Agreements and Allows Blue-Penciling," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 7, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Non-Compete Agreements," California Lawyer (May 17, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Hold That Order! FDA Freezes Menu Labeling Rules Until 2018,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 5, 2017)
- Co-Author, "The Key to Protecting Trade Secrets," Intellectual Property Magazine (May 4, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Last Minute Challenge to FDA Menu Labeling Rules,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 17, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Top Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2016,” Global Banking & Finance Review (February 24, 2017)
- Co-Author, “Top Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2016,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2017)
- Co-Author, “2016 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Year in Review,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 5, 2017)
- Co-Author, "What Does the Passage of the Defend Trade Secrets Act Mean for Your Business?," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 27, 2016)
- "Five Easy Tips for Improving Your Company’s Non-Compete and Confidentiality Agreements and Related Practices Now," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 10, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2015," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 19, 2016)
- Co-Author, "California’s Auto Subscription Law Leads to Wave of California Consumer Class Actions,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 3, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Pennsylvania’s Highest Court Rules Continuing Employment Insufficient Consideration for Non-Compete," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 24, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Latest Updates on Federal Trade Secrets Legislation," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 8, 2015)
- Co-Author, "FDA Delays Calorie Disclosure and Menu Labeling Compliance for One Year," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 6, 2015)
- "Hawaii Bans Non-Compete and Non-Solicit Agreements with Technology Workers," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 7, 2015)
- Co-Author, "New Sweeping Calorie and Nutrition Labeling Requirements for Restaurants," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 24, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Ninth Circuit Jeopardizes Broad “No Re-Hire” Clauses," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 14, 2015)
- Co-Author, "SEC Cracks Down On Agreement Requiring In-House Reporting of Fraud Complaint," One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 1, 2015)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2014," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 15, 2015)
- Co-Author, "2014 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Year in Review," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 17, 2014)
- Co-Author, "Trade Secret Disputes and Employment Risks," Corporate Disputes (October 2014)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s Trade Secrets Group Creates Resource To Track Latest Updates on Proposed Federal Trade Secrets Legislation," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2014)
- "Push for Federal Trade Secret Legislation Gaining Momentum," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 15, 2014)
- Co-Author, "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2013," Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 6, 2014)
- Co-Author, “Allegedly False Statements Posted on Internet Regarding Pending Litigation Can Support Defamation Claim,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 25, 2013)
- Co-Author, "Highlighting Significant Business Litigation Decisions from the Third Quarter of 2013," California Litigation Newsletter, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 11, 2013)
- Co-Author, “Keeping Trade Secrets in Social Media and Cloud Computing,” IP Litigator, Volume 19 Number 4 (July/August 2013)
- Co-Author, "Highlighting Significant California Business Decisions from the Second Quarter of 2013," California Litigation Newsletter, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 12, 2013)
- "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in the United States in 2012," ITech Law Journal (May 2013)
- Co-Author, “Federal Court Denies Class Certification in California Call Monitoring Case,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 19, 2013)
- Co-Author, “California Decision Expands Companies’ Ability to Bring UCL Claims Against Competitors,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 12, 2013)
- Co-Author, “Highlighting Significant Business Litigation Decisions from the First Quarter of 2013,” California Business Litigation Newsletter, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 5, 2013)
- Co-Author, “United States Announces Multifaceted Plan To Combat Trade Secret Theft At Home And Abroad,”Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 25, 2013)
- Co-Author, “New California Supreme Court Decision Will Make it More Difficult to Enforce Integrated Written Contracts,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2013)
- Co-Author, “Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law in 2012,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 3, 2013)
- “2012 Trade Secrets Webinar Series - Year in Review,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 20, 2012)
- Co-Author, "One on One’ General Practice Section Publication," New York State Bar Association (Fall 2012)
- Co-Author, “New Law Protecting Personal Social Media Of California Employees and Students Adopted In California,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 1, 2012)
- Co-Author, “California Court Rules That Non-Competition Agreement Contained In Employment Agreement Is Unenforceable Against Former Seller Even Though It Was Executed In Connection With The Sales Of A Business,” Management Alert, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 29, 2012)
- Co-Author, “New Hampshire Enacts New Law Requiring Disclosure of Non-Compete and Non-Piracy Agreements Prior to Job Offer And Change In Job Classification,” One Minute Memo, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 20, 2012)
- "Top 10 Developments/Headlines in Trade Secret, Computer Fraud, and Non-Compete Law," Intellectual Property & Technology Law Journal (Volume 24, Number 4) (April 2012)
- "Data Breach! What Next? Privacy Tips for IP Professionals," New Matter, Vol. 36 No. 2 (July 2011)
- "Combating Employee Data Theft With CFAA," Law360 (June 15, 2011)
- "Recent Court Decisions Further Limit Use of Competitive Contractual Restrictions With California Employees and Demonstrate Need For Employers To Develop Effective Trade Secret Protection Plans," California Employer (March 2011)
- Co-Editor, "Trade Secret Protection And Litigation In California Treatise," (2011)
- Courts Split on Proof Requirements for Unauthorized Access in Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Cases, Oxford Univ. Press's Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice (February 2010)
- "Keeping On The Right Side of The Line: A Trade Secret Law Perspective," SCIP (December 2009)
- "Unhealthy Competition," Daily Journal (April 2, 2009)
- "Noncompetition Agreements Invalidated," California Employment Law Special Report, published by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) (April 2009)
- "Is Your Company's Non-Competition Clause Enforceable?," California Lawyer (Vol. 29, No. 2) 36 (February 2009)
- "Your Company Cannot Afford Not to Adequately Protect Its Trade Secrets and Other Confidential Information," Bloomberg Law Reports, Vol. 2 No. 47 (November 2008)
- "Recent California Appellate Decision Highlights Additional Arrow in the Trade Secret Litigator’s Quiver: Attacking the Independent Economic Value Element of a Trade Secret Misappropriation Claim," New Matter, Vol. 33 No. 3 (November 2008)
- "California Supreme Court Rejects the Ninth Circuit’s Narrow Restraint Exception to California’s Prohibition on Employee Noncompetition Agreements," Bloomberg Law Reports, Vol. 2, No. 34 (August 25, 2008)
- "California Court of Appeal Strikes Down the State’s Latest Attempt to Divert Public Pension Funds to Address Fiscal Problems," The NAPPA Report (February 2008)
- "Recent California State Court Decision Strikes Down Broad No-Hire Provision," New Matter, Vol. 32 No. 3 (November 2007)
- "Ruling Nixes Broad 'No-Hire' Provisions," Employment Law360 (August 2007)
- "California’s SB 20 –The Latest Attempt to Divert Public Pension Funds to Address Fiscal Problems," The NAPPA Report (November 2006)
- "Protecting Your Company’s Trade Secrets," Sacramento Area Human Resource Association Newsletter (August 2006)
- "Putting an End to Judicial Lawmaking: Abolishing the Undue Hardship Exception for Student Loans in Bankruptcy," 34 University of California - Davis Law Review 221 (Fall 2000)
- Co-Presenter, “Deciphering the FTC's Non-Compete Ban: Navigating the New Regulatory Terrain and Adequately Protecting Employers' Interests,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 3, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "2023 Trade Secrets & Non-Competes Year in Review," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 30, 2024)
- Co-Presenter, "2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "What Employers Need to Know Regarding Non-Compete Changes in 2023," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 29, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "What Does the FTC’s Crackdown on Non-Competes Mean for Trade Secrets?," Webinar, California Lawyers Association (March 8, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Policy Matters Podcast - Episode 33: FTC’s Crackdown on Non-Competes Through Agency Rulemaking Part 2," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 10, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "Policy Matters Podcast - Episode 33: FTC’s Crackdown on Non-Competes Through Agency Rulemaking Part 1," Podcast, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 7, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "2022 Trade Secrets & Non-Competes Year in Review," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 24, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "FTC Proposes Rule Banning Use of Non-Competes. Now What?," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 12, 2023)
- "Negotiating Enforceable Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation Agreements: Compliance with State Statutes and Case Law," Webinar, Strafford (November 30, 2022)
- "Latest Developments in Trade Secrets Litigation and Protection," California Lawyers Association 2022 IP Institute, Dana Point, CA (November 4, 2022)
- "Noncompetes Under New State Law Restrictions: Wage Requirements, Notice Time, Layoffs, Proposed Federal Legislation," Webinar, Strafford (June 29, 2022)
- "It’s 10:00 pm. Do You Know Where Your Company’s Crown Jewels Are? Does Someone Else? Trade Secrets as an Information Asset," MER Conference, Indianapolis, IN (May 11, 2022)
- “Leveraging Internal Assets in the Governance and Management of Trade Secrets,” The 2022 Sedona Conference on Trade Secrets, Denver, CO (May 10, 2022)
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"Closing Plenary - Mid-Year Updates and Ethics of Inventorship of AI Patenting," AIPLA Mid-Winter Institute, Rancho Mirage, CA (February 4, 2022)
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"2021 Trade Secrets & Non-Competes Year in Review," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2022)
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"Comprehensive Guide on Securing and Enforcing Trade Secrets: Demystifying Best Practices," The Knowledge Group (December 15, 2021)
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"Anatomy of an M&A Transaction: How to Issue Spot for Non-Compete, Trade Secrets/Confidential Information, and Intellectual Capital Concerns," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 8, 2021)
- "Leveraging Internal Assets in the Governance and Management of Trade Secrets," The 2021 Sedona Conference on Developing Guidelines for Trade Secret Issues (June 22, 2021)
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"Remote Trials and ADR," The 2021 Sedona Conference on Remote Case Management of IP Proceedings (June 11, 2021)
- "Hot Topics and Trends in California Consumer Class Actions," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 15, 2021)
- "2020 Year in Review: What You Need to Know about the Recent Cases and Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Competes, and Computer Fraud Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 26, 2021)
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Moderator, "Latest Developments in Trade Secrets Law and Employee Mobility," Shelter in Place Institute, California Lawyers Association Intellectual Property Law Section (November 13, 2020)
- "Trade Secrets in Cannabis," Webinar, California Lawyers Association (October 21, 2020)
- "Structuring Termination Clauses in Commercial Contracts: Force Majeure, Impossibility, Frustration of Purpose, Damages," Webinar, Strafford CLE (October 15, 2020)
- "Higher Education: Navigating Back to School in the COVID Era," Virtual Panel Discussion, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 20, 2020)
- "How to Manage and Resolve Complex Commercial Disputes: A Practice Guide," Webinar, The Knowledge Group (August 20, 2020)
- "Handling a Remote Work Force and Return to Work Considerations in the Age of COVID-19: Best Practices for Protecting Trade Secrets and Confidential Information," Webinar, California Continuing Education of the Bar (July 21, 2020)
- "Desperately Seeking Post-COVID Sales? Don’t Forget About the TCPA and the CAN-SPAM Act When Designing Your Marketing Communications Strategy," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 15, 2020)
- "Non-Competes Under New State Law Restrictions: Wage Requirements, Notice, Time, Layoffs, Proposed Federal Legislation," Webinar, Strafford CLE (July 14, 2020)
- "COVID-19-Related Consumer Class Action Developments and Trends in California ," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 27, 2020)
- "Force Majeure Under California and COVID Law," Virtual Panel Discussion, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2020)
- "The California Consumer Privacy Act – What It Is and What Clients Need to Know, Particularly in Light of COVID-19," ITechLaw (April 7, 2020)
- "2019 Year in Review: What You Need to Know About the Recent Cases and Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Competes, and Computer Fraud for 2020," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 28, 2020)
- "Hot Topics and Trends in California Consumer Class Actions," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 7, 2019)
- "Latest Developments in Trade Secrets Law and Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements," Webinar, myLawCLE (February 26, 2019)
- "2018 Year in Review: What You Need to Know about the Recent Cases and Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Compete, and Computer Fraud," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 29, 2019)
- "Protecting Trade Secrets from Cyber and Other Threats," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 24, 2018)
- "LA hACCess: Hot Topics and Trends in Consumer Class Action Law for Companies Doing Business in California," Webinar, ACC (June 5, 2018)
- "2017 National Year In Review: What You Need to Know About the Recent Cases/Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Compete, and Computer Fraud Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 25, 2018)
- "Hot Topics and Trends in Consumer Class Action Law for Companies Conducting Business in California," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 8, 2017)
- "Trade Secret Protection: What Every Employer Needs to Know," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 18, 2017)
- 2017 World Technology Law Conference, Chicago, IL (May 3, 2017)
- "Trade Secret Protection: What Every California Employer Needs to Know," Client Event, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 2017)
- "Auditing Employers’ Trade Secret Protection Protocols After the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016," Webinar (February 9, 2017)
- "2016 National Year In Review: What You Need to Know About the Recent Cases/Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Compete, and Computer Fraud Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 2, 2017)
- Presenter and Co-Chair, "CLE International Conference on DTSA," CLE International 2017 Inaugural Conference Defend Trade Secrets Act: Navigating Risks & Opportunities Under Federal Law (January 20, 2017)
- Moderator, "Disruptive Technologies," ITechLaw European Conference, Madrid, Spain (November 2016)
- "Trade Secret Audits: You can’t protect what you don’t know you have," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 16, 2016)
- "The Defend Trade Secrets Act - The Lawyer and Forensic Technologist Perspective," Webcast, presented by The Knowledge Group (August 18, 2016)
- "New Year, New Progress: 2016 Update on Defend Trade Secrets Act & EU Directive," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 29, 2016)
- Program Chair, "Intellectual Property Theft in the Workplace," Intellectual Property Protection and Social Media Issues in the Workplace, San Francisco, CA (January 19, 2016)
- "Legal Project Management for Litigators," National Bar Association Annual Convention, Los Angeles, CA (2015)
- "CELC’s Annual Meeting," California Employment Law Council’s Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (November 13, 2015)
- Moderator, "Trade Secret Protection Best Practices: Hiring Competitors’ Employees and Protecting the Company When Competitors Hire Yours," 2015 Advanced Labor & Employment Law Conference for In-House Counsel, Los Angeles, CA (October 29, 2015)
- "Social Media Privacy Legislation Update," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 27, 2015)
- "Important New Trade Secret Cases and Pending Federal Legislation," A Comprehensive Two-Day Conference on Recent Developments in Trade Secret Law and Strategies, presented by Law Seminars International, Seattle, WA (October 15, 2015)
- "IP: Trade Secrets," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 6, 2015)
- "Retailers: How to Reduce Your Risk of a Class Action Lawsuit," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2015)
- "Trade Secrets and Non-Compete Law Update," ABA Annual Meeting (July 30, 2015)
- "Hot Topics in Trade Secret Law," The State Bar of California Webinar (July 14, 2015)
- "How and Why California is Different When it Comes to Trade Secrets and Non-Competes," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (June 23, 2015)
- "Trade Secrets Protection Act & Defend Trade Secrets Act: 2015 Updates LIVE Webcast," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2015)
- "2014 National Year in Review: What You Need to Know About the Recent Cases/Developments in Trade Secrets, Non-Compete and Computer Fraud Law," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 27, 2015)
- "Trade Secret Protection Best Practices: Hiring Competitors' Employees and Protecting the Company When Competitors Hire Yours," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 13, 2014)
- "How and Why California is Different When it Comes to Trade Secrets and Non-Competes," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 28, 2014)
- "Protecting Trade Secrets," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 7, 2014)
- "Latest Developments in Trade Secret and Non-Compete Law," ABA Annual Meeting, IP Central, Boston, MA (August 7, 2014)
- "Avoiding Liability and Limiting Exposure Under California’s Call Recording and Monitoring Privacy Laws," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 29, 2014)
- "Barbarians at the Gate: Class Action Avoidance and Mitigation for Data Breach," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2014)
- "How Businesses Can Effectively Protect Their Trade Secrets and Conduct Investigations," ABA Intellectual Property Law Conference, Arlington, VA (April 3, 2014)
- "Cybersecurity, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and Trade Secrets," State Bar of California IP Section Annual Institute (November 7-9, 2013)
- "The Dynamics of a Trade Secret Case - The Joys, Burdens & Frictions of the In-House & Outside Counsel Relationship?" AIPLA Trade Secret Law Summit, Washington, DC (October 22, 2013)
- "Hot Topics in Trade Secrets Across the Nation," ABA Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (August 9, 2013)
- Moderator, "Patents vs. Trade Secrets: Best Practices for Protecting and Enforcing IP," State Bar of California Intellectual Property Section (August 7, 2013)
- "Representation of Clients in Cross-Border Corporate and Transactional Matters, Including Protecting Valuable Assets," California State Bar International Law Section’s Taking Your Practice International Program, San Diego, CA (May 31, 2013)
- "Trade Secrets and Cybersecurity: What Every Attorney Should Know," Bridgeport Continuing Education, Los Angeles, CA (May 17, 2013)
- "Big Data and Privacy," 2013 ITechLaw World Technology Conference & Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ (May 2, 2013)
- "Threats to Trade Secrets and Cybersecurity and Mitigation Strategies," Bridgeport Trade Secret Conference (May 2013)
- "The Masters Conference on Trade Secrets and Cloud Computing," Masters Series, San Francisco, CA (April 17, 2013)
- "Keeping Trade Secrets Secret In Age of Social Media and Cloud Computing," 28th ABA-IP Law Conference, Arlington, VA (April 3, 2013)
- "The Latest Developments in Social Media in the US, Europe, and Latin America from an IP Rights Perspective," ITech Law Webinar (January 30, 2013)
- "Recent Amendments To Economic Espionage Act," ITechLaw and California State Bar Trade Secret Group (January 2013)
- "'Hiring Competitors' Employees and Protecting the Company When Competitors Hire Yours," Innovative Video Webinar on Trade Secret Protection Best Practices (December 6, 2012)
- "Protecting and Maintaining Trade Secrets and Confidential Information In The Age of Social Media and Cloud Computing," California State Bar IP Institute (November 9, 2012)
- "Trade Secrets Breakfast Briefing," Breakfast Briefing, Los Angeles and Orange County (October 25 & 27, 2012)
- "Legal Developments in Protecting IP from Infringement on the Internet: Failure of SOPA and PIPA," 2012 ITechLaw World Technology Conference & Annual Meeting, Washington DC (May 3, 2012)
- "Online Copyright Infringement, File Sharing and ISPs," ITech Law Webinar (February 29, 2012)
- "Global Dancing Among the Clouds - The Legal Impact of Social Media and Cloud Computing," Annual Meeting of Intellectual Property Law Section for the New York Bar Association (January 24, 2012)
- "Online Copyright Infringement, File Sharing and ISPs - Where Are We Now?" ITechLaw Webinar (July 26, 2011)
- "Hot Topics in California Trade Secret Law," State Bar of California Intellectual Property Section, Trade Secret Subcommittee (June 2011)
- "Hot Topics in California Trade Secret Law," California State Bar Intellectual Property Section Program Los Angeles, CA (May 4, 2011)
- "The Anatomy of a Trade Secret Audit: Is the Data that Drives Your Company Adequately Protected?" Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 2011)
- "Managing and Protecting Information (Including Trade Secrets) in the Cloud," 2011 ITechLaw World Technology Law Conference & Annual Meeting (May 2011)
- "Corporate Website Hazards: What In-House Counsel Needs to Know," Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Corporate Law Department Section Business Roundtable (February 2011)
- "Trade Secret Protection in a Mobile Employment Environment," State Bar of California Annual Meeting (September 2010)
- "Trade Secret Litigation and Protection in California," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 2010)
- "Employees Run Amok: A Roundtable Program on Recent Developments in California Trade Secrets Law and Covenants Not to Compete," Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Corporate Law Department Section (April 2010)
- "Keeping on The Right Side of the Line: Best Practices for Acquiring Competitive Intelligence from A Legal Perspective," Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) 2010 International Conference and Exhibition (March 2010)
- "Dowell v. Biosense Webster, Inc.," Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of California, Trade Secret Subsection (February 2010)
- "Litigation / Arbitration with Franchisees: Cost Containment: How, When & Why," International Franchise Association’s 50th Annual Convention (February 2010)
- "Brescia v. Angelin: Trade Secret Identification Under C.C.P. § 2019.210," California State Bar’s Trade Secret Standing Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Section (July 2009)
- "Operating in a Challenging Economy - Creating Efficiencies, Process Improvements and Predictability in Commercial and Employment Litigation," Association of Corporate Counsel (July 2009)
- "Protecting Trade Secrets in Times of Increased Staff Mobility," National Business Institute, National Live Teleconference (July 2009)
- "Psst! Can You Keep a Secret? Making Sure that Trade Secrets Stay Secret Under the UTSA," Beverly Hills Bar Association Intellectual Property, Internet & New Media Section (July 2009)
- "Best Practices for Gathering Intelligence and Sealing Leaks Without Exposing Yourself and Your Company to Liability," Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals Annual Convention, Chicago, Illinois (April 23, 2009)
- "Non-Compete/Non-Solicitation Issues in the Franchise Context," International Franchise Association Annual Convention, San Diego, CA (February 17, 2009)
- "Asset Marketing Systems, Inc. v. Gagnon: Ninth Circuit Recognizes Trade Secret Exception to Business and Professions Code Section 16600?" California State Bar’s Trade Secret Standing Committee of the Intellectual Property Law Section (September 2008)
- "Strategies for Handling Trade Secret Disputes," California State Bar Annual Meeting (September 2008)
- "How Not to Inadvertently Waive the Attorney Client Privilege," Association of Corporate Counsel (July 2008)
- "Anti-Slapp Motions & Cease and Desist Letters," California State Bar's Trade Secret Standing Committee of the Intellectual Property Section (May 2008)
- "How to Make the Most of Mediation," Association of Corporate Counsel (Summer 2007)
- "The Impact of Edwards v. Arthur Andersen, How it Will Affect Lawyers and Their Clients," Reedlogic Video Seminars
- "Protecting Trade Secrets," Sacramento Area Human Resource Association
- "Sarbanes-Oxley for the Human Resources Function," West Coast Labor and Employment Symposium
- Quoted, "What HR Should Know as FTC Bans Most Noncompete Clauses," HRO Today (April 25, 2024)
- Quoted, "Most Noncompete Agreements Could be Banned After FTC Vote but Lawsuits are Likely," Forbes (April 23, 2024)
- Quoted, "FTC bans noncompete agreements in split vote," TechTarget (April 23, 2024)
- Quoted, "Pegasystems’ $2 Billion Appian Loss Harder to Cut Than Epic Case," Bloomberg Law (May 17, 2022)
- Referenced, "Your Questions About Non-Solicitation Agreements, Answered," The Muse (December 13, 2021)
- Quoted, "Defend Trade Secrets Act: 5 Years Later, Here's What We Know," Law360 (May 10, 2021)
- Referenced, "Higher Law: Reefer Madness at Main Justice | Meet the Lawyers in MedMen Investor Settlement | TCPA Class Actions | All the Calendar Things," Law.com (June 25, 2020)
- Quoted, "Is Noncompete Legislation A Bridge Too Far?," Human Resource Executive (November 14, 2019)
- Quoted, "Employers Should Carefully Craft Noncompetes," SHRM (April 4, 2018)
- Quoted, "Worker Mobility & Trade Secrets Still at Odds After Waymo-Uber War," Courthouse News Service (March 9, 2018)
- Quoted, "Uber-Waymo Settlement May Encourage More Caution When Pursuing Employees," Daily Journal (February 12, 2018)
- Quoted, "After Big Waymo Settlement, Uber Criminal Probe Still Looms," Law360 (February 13, 2018)
- Quoted, "3 Takeaways From the Swift End to Waymo v. Uber," The Recorder (February 9, 2018)
- Quoted, "Noncompete Roundup: Developments You Might Have Missed," Law360 (December 1, 2017)
- Quoted, "Trade Secrets Confidentiality During E-discovery an Increasing Focus for Attorneys," ALM LegalTech News (September 8, 2017)
- Quoted, "5 New Noncompete Developments Attorneys Should Know About," Law360 (August 11, 2017)
- Quoted, "Now This Forbids Staff From Taking Jobs At Other News Outlets," BuzzFeed (June 9, 2017)
- Quoted, "Avoiding Landmines When Interviewing with Rivals," Dice (May 17, 2017)
- Quoted, "As Uber and Waymo duke it out in court, the ugly battle over driverless cars is underway," Los Angeles Times (May 16, 2017)
- Quoted, "Defend Trade Secrets Act turns one year old," World Intellectual Property Review (May 11, 2017)
- Quoted, "Defend Trade Secrets Act: Lessons From Year 1," Law360 (May 10, 2017)
- Quoted, "Understanding the Defend Trade Secrets Act," Financier Worldwide (April 18, 2017)
- Quoted, "WikiLeaks' release of CIA trove a wake-up call for cyber security," Business Insurance (March 14, 2017)
- Quoted, "Alphabet Adds Trade Secret Law to Self-Driving Car Wars," Bloomberg BNA (February 28, 2017)
- Interviewed, "Trade Secret Disputes and Employment Risks: A Top Lawyer and Forensic Technologist Weigh In On the Key Issues," Metropolitan Corporate Counsel (July/August 2016)