Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton
Firm overview:
A popular choice for Fortune 100 companies, Sheppard Mullin makes use of its international reach across three continents to secure global trade secrets protection for clients where necessary, including the extraterritorial application of US trade secret laws.
The California-headquartered firm has a substantial trade secrets practice, with legal aptitude across both protection and enforcement aspects regarding misappropriation. Its trade secrets attorneys span multiple practice areas including IP, Litigation, Labour & Employment, and International Trade, and have technical expertise in a wide range of technologies.
Team overview:
Sheppard Mullin has a deep bench of experienced trade secrets lawyers on hand to serve clients. Dallas-based Jennifer Klein Ayers is an IP partner and co-chair of the firm’s Women Lawyers Group, and is a revered litigator. Her recent successes include a $57.5 million judgment in a trade secret and patent infringement competitor jury trial, and her clients include Qorvo, Snap and Peloton.
From the firm’s Shanghai office, associate Wenjun Luo handles IP matters for technology and life sciences clients. She also assists clients in resolving cross-border disputes, including litigating patent and trade secret cases before US federal courts and contractual disputes before the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC).
Key matters:
- Qorvo v Akoustis Technologies et al, 1:21-cv-01417, US District Court for the District of Delaware
In May 2024, Sheppard Mullin won a $38.6 million verdict for client Qorvo following a two-week jury trial over allegations of trade secret misappropriation and patent infringement by Akoustis. The jury found that Akoustis had misappropriated more than 36 of Qorvo’s trade secrets. In September 2024, a federal judge awarded the wireless company nearly $12 million in legal fees. Partner Robert Masters led the team for Qorvo.
Clients:
DeltaWing Technologies, Motivate, New York City Bike-Share, Qorvo, Custom Food Group, Fox Television Stations, Illinois Candy Company, Maryland Biotech Company, Northrop Grumman, OsteoMed, Procter & Gamble, Seattle Biotech Company, Texas Distance Learning Company