AlexMeier
Partner
Labor & Employment
ameier@seyfarth.com
Alex assists his clients with managing employment-related risks to their information, complex separations, and internal investigations.
More About Alex
Alex solves sticky employment issues for his clients—no matter where in the world they arise. He brings a unique and innovative approach to advancing his clients’ interest, derived from his extensive representing plaintiffs in trade secret/non-compete litigation, defending companies in employment litigation, and his time clerking for a federal district court judge. This mix of experience allows him to see disputes from the plaintiff’s, defendant’s, and court’s perspectives.
Alex has spearheaded multiple initiatives to promote conscious improvements to case management tools and client-facing resources, including document automation tools, operational summaries, and existing resource identification. Alex enjoys leveraging his fluency with forensic tools and complex data sources to obtain extraordinary results for his clients.
Since joining Seyfarth, some of his favorite cases and results for clients include the following:
Trade Secret/Non-compete
- Halfway through trial, obtained a $2 million settlement for a Fortune 500 company. Defendants' last offer before trial was $200,000. In a poll of the jurors post settlement, the jury told the Seyfarth team that they were ready to find in our client's favor after the first full day of testimony.
- Prevailed in arbitration against employees who started a competitive company during their employment and obtained disgorgement of the employees’ compensation and injunction ordering transfer of intellectual property.
- Obtained a very favorable settlement for his client, a large company with international operations. Alex conducted an extensive investigation that resulted in the identification of more than a half-dozen critical witnesses. The opposing party’s general counsel described Alex as “tenacious” and remarked that no other law firm had done such a comprehensive investigation in litigation against that company.
- In a misappropriation case, Alex pioneered a novel set of defenses that resulted in dramatic reductions to the scope of the opposing party’s claims and uncovered sufficient evidence to file counterclaims. Alex obtained nearly $100,000 in discovery sanctions during the proceedings. The matter was resolved on extremely favorable terms for his clients.
- In a restrictive covenants case, Seyfarth established that a former employee misappropriated information and submitted a false affidavit. Alex’s forensic investigation and analysis resulted in the former employee asserting their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 150 times. The former employee later consented to an injunction prohibiting the employee from working in any capacity for the former employer for more than the term of the non-compete provision in the employee’s agreement.
- In a restrictive covenants case, after obtaining a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a wide-ranging permanent injunction, Alex uncovered evidence that the employee violated the injunction through a sophisticated analysis comparing computer activity, phone records, emails, and calendar entries. The revelations resulted in a motion for contempt against the employee and the employee’s new employer, and the matter settled on favorable terms prior to a hearing on the motion for contempt.
- After a two-day hearing, obtained an order finding the opposing party in contempt and awarding our client, a Fortune 100 company, all fees incurred in connection with identifying and establishing the contemptuous conduct.
- Assisted our client, a major publicly traded company, in obtaining the pre-answer dismissal of a lawsuit against a top executive alleging breach of a confidentiality provision. The opposing party dismissed its lawsuit after receiving a vexatious litigation letter from Seyfarth.
- Secured a reversal in an appeal of a declaratory judgment invalidating our client's nonrecruitment restrictive covenant. The opinion, which was selected for publication, resolved two divergent lines of cases and fully adopted our position.
- In a hotly contested non-compete dispute, obtained an extremely favorable settlement shortly before the preliminary injunction hearing. Seyfarth's client won every motion it filed, and the opposing parties lost every motion they filed.
Class Actions and Single-Plaintiff Cases
- Through sophisticated analysis of GPS data, fuel card usage, and expense report submissions, convinced the court to deny stage one conditional certification for alleged off-the-clock work.
- Secured pre-answer dismissal of wage and hour and termination claims in California based on federal preemption and failure to meet federal pleading standards. The employee appealed, and Alex defended the order before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel affirmed the district court’s order in a published decision.
- Obtained complete dismissal of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) class action based on lack of standing by prevailing on motions to dismiss original and amended complaint.
- Obtained a complete walk-away involving alleged sexual harassment by a supervisor.
Alex is a former Fellow for Lawyers for Civil Justice, an organization devoted to improving the civil justice system through procedural reform. He was recognized as an outstanding contributor for his work on proposed revisions to district court local rules and remains active as a Member of LCJ. Alex is also a member of the Sedona Conference’s Working Group 12 on trade secrets and a member of the drafting committee on forensic issues in trade secrets litigation. Alex is a member of the ABA Committee on Non-Competes.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Alex served as a law clerk for the Honorable William C. O'Kelley, Senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. During his time as a clerk, he worked on a wide range of cases at the pre-trial, discovery, summary judgment, trial, and post-judgment stages of litigation. Alex also worked as an extern at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Reorganization. The division monitors the issuance of securities in bankruptcy and assists the Division of Enforcement in cases involving bankrupt or insolvent defendants.
When Alex is not in the office, he can be found on the golf course with his wife, Alina. She usually wins.
Since joining Seyfarth, some of his favorite cases and results for clients include the following:
Trade Secret/Non-compete
- Halfway through trial, obtained a $2 million settlement for a Fortune 500 company. Defendants' last offer before trial was $200,000. In a poll of the jurors post settlement, the jury told the Seyfarth team that they were ready to find in our client's favor after the first full day of testimony.
- Prevailed in arbitration against employees who started a competitive company during their employment and obtained disgorgement of the employees’ compensation and injunction ordering transfer of intellectual property.
- Obtained a very favorable settlement for his client, a large company with international operations. Alex conducted an extensive investigation that resulted in the identification of more than a half-dozen critical witnesses. The opposing party’s general counsel described Alex as “tenacious” and remarked that no other law firm had done such a comprehensive investigation in litigation against that company.
- In a misappropriation case, Alex pioneered a novel set of defenses that resulted in dramatic reductions to the scope of the opposing party’s claims and uncovered sufficient evidence to file counterclaims. Alex obtained nearly $100,000 in discovery sanctions during the proceedings. The matter was resolved on extremely favorable terms for his clients.
- In a restrictive covenants case, Seyfarth established that a former employee misappropriated information and submitted a false affidavit. Alex’s forensic investigation and analysis resulted in the former employee asserting their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 150 times. The former employee later consented to an injunction prohibiting the employee from working in any capacity for the former employer for more than the term of the non-compete provision in the employee’s agreement.
- In a restrictive covenants case, after obtaining a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a wide-ranging permanent injunction, Alex uncovered evidence that the employee violated the injunction through a sophisticated analysis comparing computer activity, phone records, emails, and calendar entries. The revelations resulted in a motion for contempt against the employee and the employee’s new employer, and the matter settled on favorable terms prior to a hearing on the motion for contempt.
- After a two-day hearing, obtained an order finding the opposing party in contempt and awarding our client, a Fortune 100 company, all fees incurred in connection with identifying and establishing the contemptuous conduct.
- Assisted our client, a major publicly traded company, in obtaining the pre-answer dismissal of a lawsuit against a top executive alleging breach of a confidentiality provision. The opposing party dismissed its lawsuit after receiving a vexatious litigation letter from Seyfarth.
- Secured a reversal in an appeal of a declaratory judgment invalidating our client's nonrecruitment restrictive covenant. The opinion, which was selected for publication, resolved two divergent lines of cases and fully adopted our position.
- In a hotly contested non-compete dispute, obtained an extremely favorable settlement shortly before the preliminary injunction hearing. Seyfarth's client won every motion it filed, and the opposing parties lost every motion they filed.
Class Actions and Single-Plaintiff Cases
- Through sophisticated analysis of GPS data, fuel card usage, and expense report submissions, convinced the court to deny stage one conditional certification for alleged off-the-clock work.
- Secured pre-answer dismissal of wage and hour and termination claims in California based on federal preemption and failure to meet federal pleading standards. The employee appealed, and Alex defended the order before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel affirmed the district court’s order in a published decision.
- Obtained complete dismissal of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) class action based on lack of standing by prevailing on motions to dismiss original and amended complaint.
- Obtained a complete walk-away involving alleged sexual harassment by a supervisor.
Alex is a former Fellow for Lawyers for Civil Justice, an organization devoted to improving the civil justice system through procedural reform. He was recognized as an outstanding contributor for his work on proposed revisions to district court local rules and remains active as a Member of LCJ. Alex is also a member of the Sedona Conference’s Working Group 12 on trade secrets and a member of the drafting committee on forensic issues in trade secrets litigation. Alex is a member of the ABA Committee on Non-Competes.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Alex served as a law clerk for the Honorable William C. O'Kelley, Senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. During his time as a clerk, he worked on a wide range of cases at the pre-trial, discovery, summary judgment, trial, and post-judgment stages of litigation. Alex also worked as an extern at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Reorganization. The division monitors the issuance of securities in bankruptcy and assists the Division of Enforcement in cases involving bankrupt or insolvent defendants.
When Alex is not in the office, he can be found on the golf course with his wife, Alina. She usually wins.
- JD, Emory University School of Law
With honors
Dean's list
Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, editor - BA, Furman University
- Florida
- Georgia
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- US District Court, Middle District of Florida
- US District Court, Northern District of Florida
- US District Court, Southern District of Florida
- US District Court, Middle District of Georgia
- US District Court, Northern District of Georgia
- US District Court, Southern District of Georgia
- Florida Supreme Court
- Florida District Court of Appeal
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Georgia Superior Courts
Related Services
Blogs
Trade Secret/Non-compete
- Halfway through trial, obtained a $2 million settlement for a Fortune 500 company. Defendants’ last offer before trial was $200,000. In a poll of the jurors post settlement, the jury told the Seyfarth team that they were ready to find in the client’s favor after the first full day of testimony.
- Prevailed in arbitration against employees who started a competitive company during their employment and obtained disgorgement of the employees’ compensation and injunction ordering transfer of intellectual property.
- In a misappropriation case, Alex pioneered a novel set of defenses that resulted in dramatic reductions to the scope of the opposing party’s claims and uncovered sufficient evidence to file counterclaims. Alex obtained nearly $100,000 in discovery sanctions during the proceedings. The matter was resolved on extremely favorable terms for his clients.
- Obtained a very favorable settlement for his client, a large company with international operations. Alex conducted an extensive investigation that resulted in the identification of more than a half-dozen critical witnesses. The opposing party’s general counsel described Alex as “tenacious” and remarked that no other law firm had done such a comprehensive investigation in litigation against that company.
- In a restrictive covenants case, Seyfarth established that a former employee misappropriated information and submitted a false affidavit. Alex’s forensic investigation and analysis resulted in the former employee asserting their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 150 times. The former employee later consented to an injunction prohibiting the employee from working in any capacity for the former employer for more than the term of the non-compete provision in the employee’s agreement.
- In a restrictive covenants case, after obtaining a TRO and a wide-ranging permanent injunction, Alex uncovered evidence that the employee violated the injunction through a sophisticated analysis comparing computer activity, phone records, emails, and calendar entries. The revelations resulted in a motion for contempt against the employee and the employee’s new employer, and the matter settled on favorable terms prior to a hearing on the motion for contempt.
- After a two-day hearing, obtained an order finding the opposing party in contempt and awarding our client, a Fortune 100 company, all fees incurred in connection with identifying and establishing the contemptuous conduct.
- Assisted our client, a major publicly traded company, in obtaining the pre-answer dismissal of a lawsuit against a top executive alleging breach of a confidentiality provision. The opposing party dismissed its lawsuit after receiving a vexatious litigation letter from Seyfarth.
- Secured a reversal in an appeal of a declaratory judgment invalidating the client’s nonrecruitment restrictive covenant. The opinion, which was selected for publication, resolved two divergent lines of cases and fully adopted the position.
- In a hotly contested non-compete dispute, obtained an extremely favorable settlement shortly before the preliminary injunction hearing. Seyfarth’s client won every motion it filed, and the opposing parties lost every motion they filed.
- Assisted Seyfarth team in obtaining nationwide preliminary injunction against former employees located in California.
Class Actions and Single-Plaintiff Cases
- Secured pre-answer dismissal of wage and hour and termination claims in California based on federal preemption and failure to meet federal pleading standards. The employee appealed, and Alex defended the order before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel affirmed the district court’s order in a published decision.
- Obtained a complete walk-away involving alleged sexual harassment by a supervisor.
- Through sophisticated analysis of GPS data, fuel card usage, and expense report submissions, convinced the court to deny stage one conditional certification for alleged off-the-clock work.
- Obtained complete dismissal of FCRA class action based on lack of standing by prevailing on motions to dismiss original and amended complaint.
- A plaintiff sought to introduce previously undisclosed, significant evidence on summary judgment. We successfully excluded the new evidence and obtained summary judgment on all claims.
- Secured pre-answer dismissal of wage and hour and termination claims in California based on federal preemption and failure to meet federal pleading standards.
- Obtained complete summary judgment on fact-intensive discrimination and retaliation claims.
- Assisted Seyfarth team in converting several class actions into individual settlements before discovery or early in discovery, avoiding substantial costs to our client.
- Defended settlement in principle from post-agreement challenge by former employee.
Related News & Insights
-
Blog Post
Feb 27, 2024
Is the NLRB’s New Stance on Restrictive Covenants Mostly Bark With a Little Bite?
-
Blog Post
Jan 24, 2024
SEC Continues to Police Confidentiality Provisions for Theoretical Whistleblower Suppression
-
Legal Update
Dec 19, 2023
2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings
-
Blog Post
Dec 13, 2023
Georgia Signals Greater Leeway in Revising Overbroad Non-Competes
- Recognized as a "Ones to Watch" lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Labor and Employment Law - Management (2022-2024); Litigation - Intellectual Property (2024); Litigation - Labor and Employment (2024)
-
Lawyers for Civil Justice – fellow, outstanding contributor (2021)
-
Sedona Conference – Trade Secrets (Working Group 12)
- Federal Bar Association
- Atlanta Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Garmon Defense Finds New Relevance As NLRB Stays Active," Law360 (March 24, 2023)
- Co-Author, "President Biden Issues Executive Order Encouraging the FTC to Consider Curtailing the Use of “Unfair” Non-Competes, but Without Providing any Additional Guidance or Details," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 12, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Biden to Ban Non-Competes?" Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 8, 2021)
- Co-Author, "How the Consolidated Appropriations Act Impacts Unemployment Compensation Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 31, 2020)
- Author, "Where States Stand on Lost Wage Assistance One Month Later," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2020)
- Author, "DOL and FEMA Issue Guidance on Supplemental Unemployment Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 17, 2020)
- Co-Author, "What President Trump’s Executive Order Means for Unemployment Compensation Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 11, 2020)
- Co-Author, "How CARES Affects Unemployment Compensation Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 13, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Florida Update: Miami-Dade and Orange Counties Enter Stay-at-Home Orders, and Florida Modifies Travel Quarantine Order," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 26, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Florida Enters Air Quarantine Order, Miami Public Gathering Limitations, and Jacksonville Work Order," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 24, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Florida Enacts First Wide-Ranging Shutdown Measures," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 21, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Issues Decision Significantly Expanding the Scope of FOIA’s Confidentiality Exemption," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 16, 2019); Workplace Safety and Environmental Law Alert Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 10, 2019); Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Trade Secret Protection and Social Media: A 5-Year Update," Law360 (February 7, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Grants Cert. to Interpret Meaning of 'Confidential' or 'Trade Secret' Under FOIA," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 17, 2019); Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 17, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Report on Sedona Conference on Trade Secrets," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 6, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Are My Customer Lists a Trade Secret?" Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 17, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth Attorneys Published in Bloomberg’s White Collar Crime Report," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 23, 2017)
- Co-Author, "An Endangered Claim Reemerges: The Defend Trade Secrets Act Breathes New Life Into Trade-Secrets-Based RICO Claims," White Collar Crime Report, Bloomberg Law (March 17, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Georgia’s Restrictive Covenants Act Turns Five Years Old: Assessing the Impact of Georgia’s Law Five Years On," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 12, 2016)
- Author, "Care Facilities Beware: Don’t Let Employee Misconduct Cost You Millions," Lexology, Law Business Research (May 5, 2016)
- Author, "Un-Mixing The Mixed-Motive Standard," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 21, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Causation In Federal Remedial Rights And Alternative Pleading," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 20, 2015)
- Author, "Effective Carve-Outs to Seek Injunctive Relief from the Court in Arbitration Provisions," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 12, 2015)
- Co-Presenter, "2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "NLRB and Restrictive Covenants: Trends in Employment Confidentiality," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 19, 2023)
- Presenter, “Forensic Issues in Trade Secrets Litigation,” in-person, Sedona Conference (September 11, 2023)
- Presenter, “Employment Issues in Healthcare,” Webinar, ACC (May 1, 2023)
- Presenter, “Third Party Litigation Funding,” in-person, LCJ (May 2023)
- Presenter, “Recent Developments in Forensic Discovery,” in-person, AIPLA (December 8, 2022).
- Presenter, “Protecting Trade Secrets Abroad and Enforcing Rights Abroad and in the U.S.," CLE Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 24, 2018)
- Quoted, "These Alaskans on unemployment say they did what officials asked — but the state still wants them to pay back some benefits," Anchorage Daily News (December 13, 2020)
- Quoted, "After days of delays, officials are still unsure when Alaskans will receive a promised $300 unemployment boost," Anchorage Daily News (October 31, 2020)
- Quoted, "DOL Clarifies Executive Order Extending Unemployment Compensation," HR Daily Advisor (September 1, 2020)
- Quoted, "Supplemental Unemployment Benefits: How Much Can You Actually Expect And When?" Forbes (August 12, 2020)
- Quoted, "Businesses Can’t Reach Consensus on Extending Extra Jobless Aid," Bloomberg Tax Law (July 31, 2020)
- Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta
- We Love BuHi
An opposing party’s general counsel described Alex as "tenacious"—which he considers to be the nicest compliment he’s received.
A client praised Alex as an “amazingly creative” attorney who “dismantled” the opposing party’s case.
After Seyfarth took over a case from a prior firm, the client stated that Alex’s approach led to “a complete 180 with [the] case” and told Alex, “you really are a phenomenal lawyer!”
"[Alex] prepared the best briefing on a preliminary injunction I've ever seen." —Client feedback
A client expressed his appreciation for Seyfarth’s "work on this matter and especially Alex M for his work today and throughout this case. He was truly exceptional throughout with an impressive command of the facts." —Client feedback
"Alex Meier was superb throughout this entire process; I’m very impressed." —Client feedback
"I really appreciate the extent that you represented [client] on this matter. The defense statement/letter you presented on our behalf was extremely thorough and detailed—using the logic and precedents set in past OSHA cases was very compelling." —Client feedback
A client described Alex’s work on an appellate brief as "excellent" and "very impressive."
A client appreciated the Seyfarth team's "great result" by working over a holiday weekend and convincing the court to vacate a default judgment.
Alex assists his clients with managing employment-related risks to their information, complex separations, and internal investigations.
More About Alex
Alex solves sticky employment issues for his clients—no matter where in the world they arise. He brings a unique and innovative approach to advancing his clients’ interest, derived from his extensive representing plaintiffs in trade secret/non-compete litigation, defending companies in employment litigation, and his time clerking for a federal district court judge. This mix of experience allows him to see disputes from the plaintiff’s, defendant’s, and court’s perspectives.
Alex has spearheaded multiple initiatives to promote conscious improvements to case management tools and client-facing resources, including document automation tools, operational summaries, and existing resource identification. Alex enjoys leveraging his fluency with forensic tools and complex data sources to obtain extraordinary results for his clients.
Since joining Seyfarth, some of his favorite cases and results for clients include the following:
Trade Secret/Non-compete
- Halfway through trial, obtained a $2 million settlement for a Fortune 500 company. Defendants' last offer before trial was $200,000. In a poll of the jurors post settlement, the jury told the Seyfarth team that they were ready to find in our client's favor after the first full day of testimony.
- Prevailed in arbitration against employees who started a competitive company during their employment and obtained disgorgement of the employees’ compensation and injunction ordering transfer of intellectual property.
- Obtained a very favorable settlement for his client, a large company with international operations. Alex conducted an extensive investigation that resulted in the identification of more than a half-dozen critical witnesses. The opposing party’s general counsel described Alex as “tenacious” and remarked that no other law firm had done such a comprehensive investigation in litigation against that company.
- In a misappropriation case, Alex pioneered a novel set of defenses that resulted in dramatic reductions to the scope of the opposing party’s claims and uncovered sufficient evidence to file counterclaims. Alex obtained nearly $100,000 in discovery sanctions during the proceedings. The matter was resolved on extremely favorable terms for his clients.
- In a restrictive covenants case, Seyfarth established that a former employee misappropriated information and submitted a false affidavit. Alex’s forensic investigation and analysis resulted in the former employee asserting their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 150 times. The former employee later consented to an injunction prohibiting the employee from working in any capacity for the former employer for more than the term of the non-compete provision in the employee’s agreement.
- In a restrictive covenants case, after obtaining a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a wide-ranging permanent injunction, Alex uncovered evidence that the employee violated the injunction through a sophisticated analysis comparing computer activity, phone records, emails, and calendar entries. The revelations resulted in a motion for contempt against the employee and the employee’s new employer, and the matter settled on favorable terms prior to a hearing on the motion for contempt.
- After a two-day hearing, obtained an order finding the opposing party in contempt and awarding our client, a Fortune 100 company, all fees incurred in connection with identifying and establishing the contemptuous conduct.
- Assisted our client, a major publicly traded company, in obtaining the pre-answer dismissal of a lawsuit against a top executive alleging breach of a confidentiality provision. The opposing party dismissed its lawsuit after receiving a vexatious litigation letter from Seyfarth.
- Secured a reversal in an appeal of a declaratory judgment invalidating our client's nonrecruitment restrictive covenant. The opinion, which was selected for publication, resolved two divergent lines of cases and fully adopted our position.
- In a hotly contested non-compete dispute, obtained an extremely favorable settlement shortly before the preliminary injunction hearing. Seyfarth's client won every motion it filed, and the opposing parties lost every motion they filed.
Class Actions and Single-Plaintiff Cases
- Through sophisticated analysis of GPS data, fuel card usage, and expense report submissions, convinced the court to deny stage one conditional certification for alleged off-the-clock work.
- Secured pre-answer dismissal of wage and hour and termination claims in California based on federal preemption and failure to meet federal pleading standards. The employee appealed, and Alex defended the order before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel affirmed the district court’s order in a published decision.
- Obtained complete dismissal of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) class action based on lack of standing by prevailing on motions to dismiss original and amended complaint.
- Obtained a complete walk-away involving alleged sexual harassment by a supervisor.
Alex is a former Fellow for Lawyers for Civil Justice, an organization devoted to improving the civil justice system through procedural reform. He was recognized as an outstanding contributor for his work on proposed revisions to district court local rules and remains active as a Member of LCJ. Alex is also a member of the Sedona Conference’s Working Group 12 on trade secrets and a member of the drafting committee on forensic issues in trade secrets litigation. Alex is a member of the ABA Committee on Non-Competes.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Alex served as a law clerk for the Honorable William C. O'Kelley, Senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. During his time as a clerk, he worked on a wide range of cases at the pre-trial, discovery, summary judgment, trial, and post-judgment stages of litigation. Alex also worked as an extern at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Reorganization. The division monitors the issuance of securities in bankruptcy and assists the Division of Enforcement in cases involving bankrupt or insolvent defendants.
When Alex is not in the office, he can be found on the golf course with his wife, Alina. She usually wins.
Since joining Seyfarth, some of his favorite cases and results for clients include the following:
Trade Secret/Non-compete
- Halfway through trial, obtained a $2 million settlement for a Fortune 500 company. Defendants' last offer before trial was $200,000. In a poll of the jurors post settlement, the jury told the Seyfarth team that they were ready to find in our client's favor after the first full day of testimony.
- Prevailed in arbitration against employees who started a competitive company during their employment and obtained disgorgement of the employees’ compensation and injunction ordering transfer of intellectual property.
- Obtained a very favorable settlement for his client, a large company with international operations. Alex conducted an extensive investigation that resulted in the identification of more than a half-dozen critical witnesses. The opposing party’s general counsel described Alex as “tenacious” and remarked that no other law firm had done such a comprehensive investigation in litigation against that company.
- In a misappropriation case, Alex pioneered a novel set of defenses that resulted in dramatic reductions to the scope of the opposing party’s claims and uncovered sufficient evidence to file counterclaims. Alex obtained nearly $100,000 in discovery sanctions during the proceedings. The matter was resolved on extremely favorable terms for his clients.
- In a restrictive covenants case, Seyfarth established that a former employee misappropriated information and submitted a false affidavit. Alex’s forensic investigation and analysis resulted in the former employee asserting their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 150 times. The former employee later consented to an injunction prohibiting the employee from working in any capacity for the former employer for more than the term of the non-compete provision in the employee’s agreement.
- In a restrictive covenants case, after obtaining a temporary restraining order (TRO) and a wide-ranging permanent injunction, Alex uncovered evidence that the employee violated the injunction through a sophisticated analysis comparing computer activity, phone records, emails, and calendar entries. The revelations resulted in a motion for contempt against the employee and the employee’s new employer, and the matter settled on favorable terms prior to a hearing on the motion for contempt.
- After a two-day hearing, obtained an order finding the opposing party in contempt and awarding our client, a Fortune 100 company, all fees incurred in connection with identifying and establishing the contemptuous conduct.
- Assisted our client, a major publicly traded company, in obtaining the pre-answer dismissal of a lawsuit against a top executive alleging breach of a confidentiality provision. The opposing party dismissed its lawsuit after receiving a vexatious litigation letter from Seyfarth.
- Secured a reversal in an appeal of a declaratory judgment invalidating our client's nonrecruitment restrictive covenant. The opinion, which was selected for publication, resolved two divergent lines of cases and fully adopted our position.
- In a hotly contested non-compete dispute, obtained an extremely favorable settlement shortly before the preliminary injunction hearing. Seyfarth's client won every motion it filed, and the opposing parties lost every motion they filed.
Class Actions and Single-Plaintiff Cases
- Through sophisticated analysis of GPS data, fuel card usage, and expense report submissions, convinced the court to deny stage one conditional certification for alleged off-the-clock work.
- Secured pre-answer dismissal of wage and hour and termination claims in California based on federal preemption and failure to meet federal pleading standards. The employee appealed, and Alex defended the order before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel affirmed the district court’s order in a published decision.
- Obtained complete dismissal of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) class action based on lack of standing by prevailing on motions to dismiss original and amended complaint.
- Obtained a complete walk-away involving alleged sexual harassment by a supervisor.
Alex is a former Fellow for Lawyers for Civil Justice, an organization devoted to improving the civil justice system through procedural reform. He was recognized as an outstanding contributor for his work on proposed revisions to district court local rules and remains active as a Member of LCJ. Alex is also a member of the Sedona Conference’s Working Group 12 on trade secrets and a member of the drafting committee on forensic issues in trade secrets litigation. Alex is a member of the ABA Committee on Non-Competes.
Prior to joining Seyfarth, Alex served as a law clerk for the Honorable William C. O'Kelley, Senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia. During his time as a clerk, he worked on a wide range of cases at the pre-trial, discovery, summary judgment, trial, and post-judgment stages of litigation. Alex also worked as an extern at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Reorganization. The division monitors the issuance of securities in bankruptcy and assists the Division of Enforcement in cases involving bankrupt or insolvent defendants.
When Alex is not in the office, he can be found on the golf course with his wife, Alina. She usually wins.
- JD, Emory University School of Law
With honors
Dean's list
Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, editor - BA, Furman University
- Florida
- Georgia
- US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- US District Court, Middle District of Florida
- US District Court, Northern District of Florida
- US District Court, Southern District of Florida
- US District Court, Middle District of Georgia
- US District Court, Northern District of Georgia
- US District Court, Southern District of Georgia
- Florida Supreme Court
- Florida District Court of Appeal
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- Georgia Superior Courts
Related Services
Blogs
Trade Secret/Non-compete
- Halfway through trial, obtained a $2 million settlement for a Fortune 500 company. Defendants’ last offer before trial was $200,000. In a poll of the jurors post settlement, the jury told the Seyfarth team that they were ready to find in the client’s favor after the first full day of testimony.
- Prevailed in arbitration against employees who started a competitive company during their employment and obtained disgorgement of the employees’ compensation and injunction ordering transfer of intellectual property.
- In a misappropriation case, Alex pioneered a novel set of defenses that resulted in dramatic reductions to the scope of the opposing party’s claims and uncovered sufficient evidence to file counterclaims. Alex obtained nearly $100,000 in discovery sanctions during the proceedings. The matter was resolved on extremely favorable terms for his clients.
- Obtained a very favorable settlement for his client, a large company with international operations. Alex conducted an extensive investigation that resulted in the identification of more than a half-dozen critical witnesses. The opposing party’s general counsel described Alex as “tenacious” and remarked that no other law firm had done such a comprehensive investigation in litigation against that company.
- In a restrictive covenants case, Seyfarth established that a former employee misappropriated information and submitted a false affidavit. Alex’s forensic investigation and analysis resulted in the former employee asserting their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 150 times. The former employee later consented to an injunction prohibiting the employee from working in any capacity for the former employer for more than the term of the non-compete provision in the employee’s agreement.
- In a restrictive covenants case, after obtaining a TRO and a wide-ranging permanent injunction, Alex uncovered evidence that the employee violated the injunction through a sophisticated analysis comparing computer activity, phone records, emails, and calendar entries. The revelations resulted in a motion for contempt against the employee and the employee’s new employer, and the matter settled on favorable terms prior to a hearing on the motion for contempt.
- After a two-day hearing, obtained an order finding the opposing party in contempt and awarding our client, a Fortune 100 company, all fees incurred in connection with identifying and establishing the contemptuous conduct.
- Assisted our client, a major publicly traded company, in obtaining the pre-answer dismissal of a lawsuit against a top executive alleging breach of a confidentiality provision. The opposing party dismissed its lawsuit after receiving a vexatious litigation letter from Seyfarth.
- Secured a reversal in an appeal of a declaratory judgment invalidating the client’s nonrecruitment restrictive covenant. The opinion, which was selected for publication, resolved two divergent lines of cases and fully adopted the position.
- In a hotly contested non-compete dispute, obtained an extremely favorable settlement shortly before the preliminary injunction hearing. Seyfarth’s client won every motion it filed, and the opposing parties lost every motion they filed.
- Assisted Seyfarth team in obtaining nationwide preliminary injunction against former employees located in California.
Class Actions and Single-Plaintiff Cases
- Secured pre-answer dismissal of wage and hour and termination claims in California based on federal preemption and failure to meet federal pleading standards. The employee appealed, and Alex defended the order before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel affirmed the district court’s order in a published decision.
- Obtained a complete walk-away involving alleged sexual harassment by a supervisor.
- Through sophisticated analysis of GPS data, fuel card usage, and expense report submissions, convinced the court to deny stage one conditional certification for alleged off-the-clock work.
- Obtained complete dismissal of FCRA class action based on lack of standing by prevailing on motions to dismiss original and amended complaint.
- A plaintiff sought to introduce previously undisclosed, significant evidence on summary judgment. We successfully excluded the new evidence and obtained summary judgment on all claims.
- Secured pre-answer dismissal of wage and hour and termination claims in California based on federal preemption and failure to meet federal pleading standards.
- Obtained complete summary judgment on fact-intensive discrimination and retaliation claims.
- Assisted Seyfarth team in converting several class actions into individual settlements before discovery or early in discovery, avoiding substantial costs to our client.
- Defended settlement in principle from post-agreement challenge by former employee.
Related News & Insights
-
Blog Post
Feb 27, 2024
Is the NLRB’s New Stance on Restrictive Covenants Mostly Bark With a Little Bite?
-
Blog Post
Jan 24, 2024
SEC Continues to Police Confidentiality Provisions for Theoretical Whistleblower Suppression
-
Legal Update
Dec 19, 2023
2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings
-
Blog Post
Dec 13, 2023
Georgia Signals Greater Leeway in Revising Overbroad Non-Competes
- Recognized as a "Ones to Watch" lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Labor and Employment Law - Management (2022-2024); Litigation - Intellectual Property (2024); Litigation - Labor and Employment (2024)
-
Lawyers for Civil Justice – fellow, outstanding contributor (2021)
-
Sedona Conference – Trade Secrets (Working Group 12)
- Federal Bar Association
- Atlanta Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Garmon Defense Finds New Relevance As NLRB Stays Active," Law360 (March 24, 2023)
- Co-Author, "President Biden Issues Executive Order Encouraging the FTC to Consider Curtailing the Use of “Unfair” Non-Competes, but Without Providing any Additional Guidance or Details," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 12, 2021)
- Co-Author, "Biden to Ban Non-Competes?" Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 8, 2021)
- Co-Author, "How the Consolidated Appropriations Act Impacts Unemployment Compensation Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 31, 2020)
- Author, "Where States Stand on Lost Wage Assistance One Month Later," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 10, 2020)
- Author, "DOL and FEMA Issue Guidance on Supplemental Unemployment Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 17, 2020)
- Co-Author, "What President Trump’s Executive Order Means for Unemployment Compensation Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 11, 2020)
- Co-Author, "How CARES Affects Unemployment Compensation Benefits," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 13, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Florida Update: Miami-Dade and Orange Counties Enter Stay-at-Home Orders, and Florida Modifies Travel Quarantine Order," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 26, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Florida Enters Air Quarantine Order, Miami Public Gathering Limitations, and Jacksonville Work Order," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 24, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Florida Enacts First Wide-Ranging Shutdown Measures," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 21, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Issues Decision Significantly Expanding the Scope of FOIA’s Confidentiality Exemption," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 16, 2019); Workplace Safety and Environmental Law Alert Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 10, 2019); Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019); Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 2, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Trade Secret Protection and Social Media: A 5-Year Update," Law360 (February 7, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Supreme Court Grants Cert. to Interpret Meaning of 'Confidential' or 'Trade Secret' Under FOIA," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 17, 2019); Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 17, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Report on Sedona Conference on Trade Secrets," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 6, 2018)
- Co-Author, "Are My Customer Lists a Trade Secret?" Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 17, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Seyfarth Attorneys Published in Bloomberg’s White Collar Crime Report," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 23, 2017)
- Co-Author, "An Endangered Claim Reemerges: The Defend Trade Secrets Act Breathes New Life Into Trade-Secrets-Based RICO Claims," White Collar Crime Report, Bloomberg Law (March 17, 2017)
- Co-Author, "Georgia’s Restrictive Covenants Act Turns Five Years Old: Assessing the Impact of Georgia’s Law Five Years On," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 12, 2016)
- Author, "Care Facilities Beware: Don’t Let Employee Misconduct Cost You Millions," Lexology, Law Business Research (May 5, 2016)
- Author, "Un-Mixing The Mixed-Motive Standard," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 21, 2016)
- Co-Author, "Causation In Federal Remedial Rights And Alternative Pleading," Employment Law Lookout Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 20, 2015)
- Author, "Effective Carve-Outs to Seek Injunctive Relief from the Court in Arbitration Provisions," Trading Secrets Blog, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 12, 2015)
- Co-Presenter, "2023 Trade Secrets Webinar Series Recap: Key Takeaways and Access to Recordings," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 19, 2023)
- Co-Presenter, "NLRB and Restrictive Covenants: Trends in Employment Confidentiality," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 19, 2023)
- Presenter, “Forensic Issues in Trade Secrets Litigation,” in-person, Sedona Conference (September 11, 2023)
- Presenter, “Employment Issues in Healthcare,” Webinar, ACC (May 1, 2023)
- Presenter, “Third Party Litigation Funding,” in-person, LCJ (May 2023)
- Presenter, “Recent Developments in Forensic Discovery,” in-person, AIPLA (December 8, 2022).
- Presenter, “Protecting Trade Secrets Abroad and Enforcing Rights Abroad and in the U.S.," CLE Webinar, presented by Seyfarth Shaw LLP (September 24, 2018)
- Quoted, "These Alaskans on unemployment say they did what officials asked — but the state still wants them to pay back some benefits," Anchorage Daily News (December 13, 2020)
- Quoted, "After days of delays, officials are still unsure when Alaskans will receive a promised $300 unemployment boost," Anchorage Daily News (October 31, 2020)
- Quoted, "DOL Clarifies Executive Order Extending Unemployment Compensation," HR Daily Advisor (September 1, 2020)
- Quoted, "Supplemental Unemployment Benefits: How Much Can You Actually Expect And When?" Forbes (August 12, 2020)
- Quoted, "Businesses Can’t Reach Consensus on Extending Extra Jobless Aid," Bloomberg Tax Law (July 31, 2020)
- Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta
- We Love BuHi
An opposing party’s general counsel described Alex as "tenacious"—which he considers to be the nicest compliment he’s received.
A client praised Alex as an “amazingly creative” attorney who “dismantled” the opposing party’s case.
After Seyfarth took over a case from a prior firm, the client stated that Alex’s approach led to “a complete 180 with [the] case” and told Alex, “you really are a phenomenal lawyer!”
"[Alex] prepared the best briefing on a preliminary injunction I've ever seen." —Client feedback
A client expressed his appreciation for Seyfarth’s "work on this matter and especially Alex M for his work today and throughout this case. He was truly exceptional throughout with an impressive command of the facts." —Client feedback
"Alex Meier was superb throughout this entire process; I’m very impressed." —Client feedback
"I really appreciate the extent that you represented [client] on this matter. The defense statement/letter you presented on our behalf was extremely thorough and detailed—using the logic and precedents set in past OSHA cases was very compelling." —Client feedback
A client described Alex’s work on an appellate brief as "excellent" and "very impressive."
A client appreciated the Seyfarth team's "great result" by working over a holiday weekend and convincing the court to vacate a default judgment.