Affiliations

• ITechLaw Association (IP Committee Vice Chair)
• State Bar of California (Business Law Section; Intellectual Property Section, Trade Secret Subsection; Employment Law 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

Representative Engagements

Complex Litigation

• Black Donuts v. Big O Tires (2009-present) (Multiple franchisee/franchisor dispute).
• Woodhouse v. Lincoln Benefit Life Company et al. (2010-2011)(Represent client in multiple party case on claims for breach of contract and elder abuse).
• Ohanesian v. Bosley, Inc. et al. (2010-2011)(Obtained dismissal with prejudice of suit brought against corporate entities and individual for alleged breach of fiduciary duty). 
• Aral v. Earthlink (2008-2009) (Consumer class action related to internet service).
• Roy v. Heald College (2008) (Class action related to alleged tuition overcharges).
• Louie v. Countrywide (2007-2008) (Represent tenant in ADA access case involving multiple parties and locations).
• CRTA v. Peace (2004-2008) (Action to restore $500 million in pension benefits to retired teachers trust fund).
• Guerra v. Allstate Life Insurance (2006-2007) (Represent client on claims for bad faith, breach of contract, and fraud).
• Davis v. CaliforniaCulinaryAcademy (2006-2007) (Obtained summary judgment in landlord-tenant dispute; decision affirmed by California Court of Appeal).
• Garcia v. Protective Life Insurance Company (2006) (Obtained favorable resolution for client on claims for bad faith and breach of contract).
• Roseville Plaza LLC v. Sizzler USA Real Property (2005-2006) (Represent tenant in dispute with commercial landlord relating to option rights).
• ANJ Construction v. Allstate Insurance Company (2005) (Obtained summary judgment for client on claims for professional negligence and fraud and request for punitive damages).
• Spencer v. Easterday/Amsan (2004-2005) (Represent tenant in dispute with commercial landlord relating to lease default issues, and pursue counterclaims for various claims including fraud, unfair business practices, and breach of agreement).
• Universal Underwriters Insurance Company v. M.F. Salta Co. (2003-2004) (Obtained summary judgment for client on claims for breach of contract and bad faith).

Trade Secrets, Non-Competes and Intellectual Property

• Kaplan Higher Education v. Mitchell et al. (Represent higher education company in employee raiding and theft of confidential information suit).
• eLoyalty v. Spanlink Communications (Represent telecommunications company in multi-state litigation involving non-competition and trade secret claims).
• Pacific Dental Benefits v. Liberty Dental et. al. (Represent health care provider in suit involving trade secret and breach of duty of loyalty claims).
• Staffmark v. Westaff (Represent staffing company in connection with multi-state litigation concerning non-compete and trade secret claims).
• Sara Lee v. Albrecht (Represent Sara Lee in connection with ex-employees violating confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements in Nevada and New Mexico).
• PKELLEY Enterprises v. Crate & Barrel, Inc. (Defend client in case involving alleged copyright infringement).
• US Tower et al. v. Wifieye, Inc. (Prosecute claims for trade secret theft involving security technology).
• Robert Half International Inc. v. Bateman  (Assisted client in obtaining permanent injunctive relief against former employee’s misappropriation of trade secrets).
• Vitek v. Countrywide (Defend client in case involving alleged misappropriation of trade secrets and employee raiding).
• Rewards Network v. Acacia Funding (Assisted client in obtaining injunctive relief against former employee’s misappropriation of trade secrets).
• Specialized Direct Response v. Customer Satisfaction Improvement Corp. (Assisted client in obtaining injunctive relief against use of trade secrets and unfair competition).
• Independent Ink Inc v. Illinois Tool Works (Assisted client in obtaining dismissal of suit for false advertising under Lanham Act).
• Advantage Partners v. Salton Inc. (Assist with defense of patent infringement suit).
• Save On Service Marketing v. Specialized Direct Response (Defend client in case involving alleged misappropriation of trade secrets and employee theft).
• Vans Inc v. GM Footwear Corp. (Assisted client in obtaining permanent injunction in trademark infringement matter).

Labor and Employment

• Santos v. CH Robinson (2010-2011) (Represent client in sexual harassment suit brought by former employee).
• Park v. Kaplan (2009-2010) (Represent client in arbitration involving claims for false imprisonment, battery, assault, breach of contract, and false promise).
• Doe v. McClatchy (2009) (Disability discrimination case brought by former employee).
• Doe v. Countrywide (2008-2009) (Race and age discrimination case brought by contractor).
• Wong v. Countrywide (2008-2010) (Obtained complete defense award in arbitration involving claims for race discrimination, false promise, and breach of contract).
• Doe v. Countrywide (2007-2009) (SOX whistleblower case brought by former employee).
• Hall v. CH Robinson (2009)(Represent client in suit involving claims of sexual harassment and violation of non-compete).
• Junkin v. Countrywide (2006-2007) (Wrongful termination case brought by former employee).
• Burkhardt v. Countrywide (2006-2007) (Age discrimination case brought by former employee).
• People of State of California v. Spherion (2006-2007) (Represent client in case involving alleged violations of Business and Professions Code for alleged wage and hour violations).
• In the Matter of the Appeal of Staff Resources, Inc. (2005-2007) (Represent client in appeal of alleged OSHA violations).
• Keifer v. Hamilton Engine Products (2005-2006) (Assisted client in obtaining summary judgment in harassment case in federal court).
• Hill v. QB Rebuilders (2004-2005) (Defend client in case involving alleged harassment and hostile work environment).

Bankruptcy/Creditors’ Rights

• Big O Tires v. Park (2010-2011) (Obtained writ of possession and preliminary injunction in security interest action).
• Banco Popular v. Cardinal & Gold (2008-2009) (Represent lender in judicial foreclosure action).
• Kendall v. HSN Interactive LLC (2007) (Represent client in turnover action brought by Trustee).
• Gomes v. Staff Resources (2006-2007) (Obtained favorable resolution of wage claim in bankruptcy case).
• In re Precision Farming (2005-2007) (Obtained favorable resolution for client in case involving significant wage claims and preference exposure).
• Allstate Life Insurance Company v. McKee (2005-2006) (Obtained judgment against debtor for fraudulent conveyance).
• In re DrKoop.com (2002) (Assisted client in Chapter 7 filing).

Presentations

• "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)
• "Trade Secret Investigations - The Legal and Technical Perspective," LegalTech West (May 2011) 
•  “The Anatomy of a Trade Secret Audit: Is the Data that Drives Your Company Adequately Protected?, Seyfarth Shaw LLP Webinar ( 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,” Seyfarth Shaw LLP Webinar (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) 
•  “Litigation / Arbitration with Franchisees:  Cost Containment: How, When & Why,” International Franchise Association’s 50th Annual Convention (Feb. 2010) 
•  “Dowell v. Biosense Webster, Inc.,” Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of California, Trade Secret Subsection (Feb. 2010) 
•  “Protecting Trade Secrets in Times of Increased Staff Mobility,” National Business Institute, National Live Teleconference (July 2009) 
•  “Operating in a Challenging Economy - Creating Efficiencies, Process Improvements and Predictability in Commercial and Employment Litigation,” Association of Corporate Counsel (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) 
•  “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) 
•  “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, California) (February 17, 2009) 
•  “The Impact of Edwards v. Arthur Andersen, How it Will Affect Lawyers and Their Clients,” Reedlogic Video Seminars 
•  “Strategies for Handling Trade Secret Disputes,” California State Bar Annual Meeting (September 2008) 
•  “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) 
•  “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) 
•  “Protecting Trade Secrets,” Sacramento Area Human Resource Association 
•  “Sarbanes-Oxley for the Human Resources Function,” West Coast Labor and Employment Symposium

Publications

• “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)
• 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 02, 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)

Trading Secrets Blog Entries

• Private Information Stored On Electronic Devices Subject to Search By Law Enforcement If Arrested In California (March 16, 2011)
• Computer Fraud and Abuse Act Remains Viable for Employers To Assert Against Employees Who Steal Company Data (March 2, 2011)
• District Court Holds That Computer Forensic Investigation Costs Satisfy "Loss" Requirements of Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (February 9, 2011)
• Fitness Companies Spar Over Unauthorized Access of Departing Employee's Personal E-mail Accounts (January 25, 2011)
• The Ninth Circuit's Comedy Club, Inc. v. Improv West Associates Decision Is No Laughing Matter For Franchisors (February 25, 2009)
• California Appellate Court Affirms Sanctions Award Against Attorney and Her Clients Who Allegedly Violated The Protective Order in a Trade Secret Matter (December 3, 2008)
• New Ninth Circuit Case Acknowledges Trade Secrets Exception to Business and Professions Code Section 16600 (October 1, 2008)
• The California Supreme Court Rejects The Ninth Circuit's Narrow Restraint Exception To California's Prohibition On Employee Non-Competition Agreements In Edwards v. Arthur Andersen LLP (August 7, 2008)
• California Supreme Court To Announce Significant Trade Secret/Non-Compete Decision Tomorrow In Edwards v. Arthur Andersen (August 6, 2008)
• California Court Finds That Contract Provision Requiring Departing Police Officer To Reimburse City For Training Expenses Does Not Violate Business and Professions Code Section 16600. (July 30, 2008)
• New California State Court Appellate Decision On The Statute of Limitations For Trade Secret Misappropriation Claims (June 12, 2008)
• Arizona District Court Issues Decision Limiting Applicability Of Computer Fraud And Abuse Act Claims (April 8, 2008)
• Home Builder Alleges Trade Secret Theft Of Strategic Plan By Former Executive (April 7, 2008)
• Bubble Bursts On Plaintiff Who Failed To Demonstrate That Trade Secret And Confidential Information Related To His NASCAR-Themed “Pit Crew Chew” Was Protected By Non-Disclosure Agreement (February 21, 2008)
• Recent Developments in California Trade Secrets Law (December 19, 2007)
• Recent California Appellate Decision Finds That Company Failed To Demonstrate That Its Source Code Had Independent Economic Value (November 29, 2007)