Kobre & Kim
Firm overview:
International firm Kobre & Kim shapes its business model around large-scale disputes and investigations. Avoiding repeat client relationships allows the firm to retain its aggressive, trial-ready focus for litigation that spans multiple jurisdictions and borders.
Kobre & Kim splits its work between trade secrets and patents. The firm’s ability to handle complex, high-stakes cases along with its approach to client relationships—with a focus on quality, not quantity—has earned it a strong reputation in the industry. Attorneys from other firms regularly appoint it as advocates for their clients in sensitive situations involving conflicts of interest.
When cross-border disputes arise, Kobre & Kim collaborates with local lawyers to provide a service deeply embedded in the business culture of the jurisdiction. It focuses its trade secrets work in the US and UK courts, and lists some big-name clients such as Chevron among its roster.
Team overview:
Kobre & Kim’s trade secret and patent practices include practitioners in the US, UK, China, Korea and Israel with support from teams in other global offices.
The team comprises former US federal and state prosecutors, English and offshore judges, and arbitrators.
Lead trial counsel Michael Ng has assisted clients with nine-figure recoveries in litigation and is recognised as a leading authority on trade secrets and patents. His technological expertise spans wireless communications, semiconductors, and networking infrastructure as well as life sciences fields.
Key matters:
- Propel Fuels v Phillips 66, Superior Court of California
Kobre & Kim acted for Propel Fuels in its trade secrets case against Phillips 66. In October 2024, a California jury found that Phillips 66’s renewable fuels business was developed from Propel’s trade secrets and awarded unjust enrichment damages of $604.9 million.
Lead counsel Michael Ng said that client Propel had “stood up to a much larger adversary and persevered through a long process to vindicate its rights”. Phillips 66 said it was disappointed with the verdict and would evaluate its legal options moving forward.
Daniel Zaheer also acted as lead counsel and other key team members were George Stamatopoulos, Adriana Riviere-Badell, Jeremy Bressman, Kim Kennedy, Zach Ritz and Paul Kanellopoulos.
Clients:
Chevron, Propel Fuels, Daewoong Pharmaceuticals, Hugel, WalkMe Ltd and WalkMe Inc, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
