Katherine E.Perrelli
Partner
Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud and Non-Competes
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Clients rely on Kate to help them navigate complex commercial disputes, protect their trade secrets, confidential and proprietary information—and to swoop in to litigate these issues with her team on a moment’s notice.
More About Kate
Clients turn to Kate when they are most concerned about losing their confidential proprietary information and trade secrets or when other companies have hit them with a shot across the bow alleging violations of common and statutory laws for hiring a new employee or group of employees. Kate is a nationally recognized authority in trade secret and unfair competition law and companies rely on her experience to counsel them in protecting their business assets both before and after a dispute arises. Not only is she a problem-solver, she is also a trusted business advisor and collaborative partner, learning her clients' business so that she can help formulate and mold their policies and practices for protecting trade secrets and confidential information, and recommend and employ winning strategies in litigation involving these issues.
Kate is her clients’ first call when they face challenges with unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and other intellectual property theft, restrictive covenant litigation, complex commercial disputes, wrongful termination, and internal workplace misconduct and compliance complaints. In addition to representing her clients across the country on such matters in federal and state courts, arbitrations and mediations, she is also frequently retained to conduct complex investigations concerning executives, internal workplace misconduct and other internal complaints. Her services also include preparation of individual and multistate employer noncompete, nonsolicit, nondisclosure and other restrictive covenant agreements; advice regarding onboarding of employees or groups of employees from a competitor, or departing employees joining a competitor; and preparation and implementation of trade secret protection programs, including trade secret audits.
Kate is currently a member of the firm's executive committee, the co-chair of the firm’s national Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes group, and she is the chair of the ABA Committee on Trade Secrets and Interference with Contracts. Kate is the immediate past national chair of Seyfarth’ s Litigation department, has led a variety of litigation and business counseling practice areas, and she has collaborated with other firm non-litigation departments on client and industry initiatives. These various Seyfarth and industry leadership roles enhance her client service by giving her up to the minute access to emerging legal trends, best-practices and benchmarking information, as well as a deep knowledge of firm and industry talent that can be tapped for specialized client needs.
Kate has also studied and employed the most innovative techniques in the legal industry, including value-based pricing, process improvement, and project management and service delivery that affect the business side of many in-house legal departments.
Kate also has considerable experience in devising and managing alternative, value-based fee structures. She is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and applies Lean Six Sigma and SeyfarthLean principles to her practice, counseling clients on process improvements, data analytics, and project management.
Kate is her clients’ first call when they face challenges with unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and other intellectual property theft, restrictive covenant litigation, complex commercial disputes, wrongful termination, and internal workplace misconduct and compliance complaints. In addition to representing her clients across the country on such matters in federal and state courts, arbitrations and mediations, she is also frequently retained to conduct complex investigations concerning executives, internal workplace misconduct and other internal complaints. Her services also include preparation of individual and multistate employer noncompete, nonsolicit, nondisclosure and other restrictive covenant agreements; advice regarding onboarding of employees or groups of employees from a competitor, or departing employees joining a competitor; and preparation and implementation of trade secret protection programs, including trade secret audits.
Kate is currently a member of the firm's executive committee, the co-chair of the firm’s national Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes group, and she is the chair of the ABA Committee on Trade Secrets and Interference with Contracts. Kate is the immediate past national chair of Seyfarth’ s Litigation department, has led a variety of litigation and business counseling practice areas, and she has collaborated with other firm non-litigation departments on client and industry initiatives. These various Seyfarth and industry leadership roles enhance her client service by giving her up to the minute access to emerging legal trends, best-practices and benchmarking information, as well as a deep knowledge of firm and industry talent that can be tapped for specialized client needs.
Kate has also studied and employed the most innovative techniques in the legal industry, including value-based pricing, process improvement, and project management and service delivery that affect the business side of many in-house legal departments.
Kate also has considerable experience in devising and managing alternative, value-based fee structures. She is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and applies Lean Six Sigma and SeyfarthLean principles to her practice, counseling clients on process improvements, data analytics, and project management.
- JD, Western New England University School of Law
Western New England Law Review
- BA, Skidmore College
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New York
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US District Court, District of Connecticut
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- Representing several national retail chains in consumer class actions regarding the legality of requesting zip code information at point-of-sale.
- Prosecuted multijurisdictional unfair competition claims against clinical toxicology laboratory which engaged in misinformation campaign against competitor laboratory implying violations of federal health care fraud statutes, and defended counterclaim alleging violations of same federal health care fraud statutes. Favorably settled litigation after obtaining dismissal of the counterclaim on the eve of trial.
- Defended and favorably settled claims of aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contract, and unfair competition against financial services firm brought by competitor concerning decision of several employees of competitor to leave and join client firm. Favorable settlement after mediation.
- Prosecuted claim on behalf of insurance brokerage firm in suit against former owner and director, and competitor for breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, interference with contract, and unfair competition. Favorable settlement after TRO entered.
- Prosecuted and favorably settled claims after 4 week bench trial for breach of contract, unfair trade practices, and conversion on behalf of a commodities firm against a common carrier to recover value of “lost” or “stolen” fuel products.
- Prosecuted and favorably settled action brought by manufacturer of complex computer software against licensee for unfair trade practices and breach of contract.
- Defended and defeated a motion for preliminary injunction against a financial services company brought by a former executive for misappropriation of intellectual property.
- Prosecuted claims on behalf of the largest industrial plumbing supplier in North America in multiple jurisdictions against competitor and eight former senior-level employees for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duties and restrictive covenant agreements, unfair competition, and conspiracy, among others, arising out of competitor’s raiding of entire Ohio Valley industrial group and attempted poaching of major customers. Reached settlement on the eve of trial requiring multimillion dollar payment and extensive restrictions on hiring and solicitation of employees and customers, among other things.
- Prosecuted and favorably settled a complex non-compete action in federal court involving ten employees who joined a competitor, including claims of breach of contract, violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, unfair trade practices, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
- Defended and defeated motion for preliminary injunction to prohibit clinical toxicology laboratory from hiring a sales person from another company. Case voluntarily dismissed by adversary after denial of motion.
- Defended and favorably settled an action brought against a biotech company and one of its senior level employees against claims for trade secret misappropriation under the “inevitable disclosure” doctrine.
- Prosecuted claims on behalf of executive staffing agency in action against four former employees and competitor for breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of fiduciary duty. Obtained favorable settlement after motion for temporary restraining order filed.
- Defended and tried to verdict an action over alleged breach of asset purchase agreement and misrepresentation in connection with the purchase of assets of a
- US corporation by a Canadian public company, including matters of scope of preemption of noncontract claims by terms of contract and evidentiary issues related to admissibility of prior acts. Jury awarded five times less than damages sought by plaintiff.
- Secured a victory for a large pharmaceutical company in an arbitration involving a complex contract dispute with a pharmacy benefit manager involving a breach of a rebate agreement.
- Defended and obtained voluntary dismissal with prejudice claims of breach of fiduciary duty and negligence against banking institution after targeted discovery on factual basis of claims.
- Prosecuted motion for preliminary injunction against retail franchisee resulting in immediate eviction of franchisee and surrender of inventory and intellectual property.
- Defended and successfully tried breach of contact action resulting from a failed art transaction, involving complex issues of agent liability.
- Prosecuted claims on behalf of inventor, majority shareholder and founder of technology of telecommunications company in contract dispute over the transfer of intellectual property rights. Obtained a favorable settlement prior to commencing litigation.
- Prosecuted and favorably settled action brought by founder and minority shareholder of a closely held software company claiming breaches of fiduciary duties.
- Defended and favorably settled an action brought by national pharmaceutical distributor in multimillion dollar dispute over the sale and pricing of pharmaceutical goods to a Massachusetts home-based healthcare business.
- Defended manufacturing company against discrimination claims of a former employee before the MCAD. Obtained dismissal following appeal of Lack of Probable Cause decision.
- Defended and favorably settled two discrimination actions against a manufacturing company brought by two former employees before the MCAD.
- Defended manufacturing company against race discrimination claims of former employee before the MCAD. Obtained dismissal following Lack of Probable Cause decision.
- Defended and favorably settled sexual and pregnancy discrimination claims brought by former employee against global nonprofit organization.
- Defended and favorably settled sexual harassment claims brought by former independent contractor against financial services firm.
Related News & Insights
-
Speaking Engagement
Oct 14, 2020
Kate Perrelli to Speak at The Women in Legal & Corporate Leadership Virtual Summit
-
Firm News
Sep 29, 2020
Seyfarth Announces New Executive Committee Members
-
Blog Post
Jul 1, 2020
Katherine Perrelli Named Chair of the ABA Intellectual Property Section’s Trade Secrets and Interferences with Contracts Committee
-
Blog Post
Jun 18, 2020
Seyfarth’s Trade Secrets Group Earns Top Tier Ranking from Legal 500 for Fifth Consecutive Year
Recognitions
- Recognized Attorney for Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2011, 2017, 2020)
- Listed by Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation (Woodward/White Inc.) (2019-2021)
- Named as one of the Top Women of Law 2016 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (BridgeTower Media)
- Litigation Counsel of America (fellow, Diversity Law Institute, Trial Law Institute)
- American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law, Trade Secrets and Interferences with Contract Committee chair
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Boston Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce board of directors
Clients rely on Kate to help them navigate complex commercial disputes, protect their trade secrets, confidential and proprietary information—and to swoop in to litigate these issues with her team on a moment’s notice.
More About Kate
Clients turn to Kate when they are most concerned about losing their confidential proprietary information and trade secrets or when other companies have hit them with a shot across the bow alleging violations of common and statutory laws for hiring a new employee or group of employees. Kate is a nationally recognized authority in trade secret and unfair competition law and companies rely on her experience to counsel them in protecting their business assets both before and after a dispute arises. Not only is she a problem-solver, she is also a trusted business advisor and collaborative partner, learning her clients' business so that she can help formulate and mold their policies and practices for protecting trade secrets and confidential information, and recommend and employ winning strategies in litigation involving these issues.
Kate is her clients’ first call when they face challenges with unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and other intellectual property theft, restrictive covenant litigation, complex commercial disputes, wrongful termination, and internal workplace misconduct and compliance complaints. In addition to representing her clients across the country on such matters in federal and state courts, arbitrations and mediations, she is also frequently retained to conduct complex investigations concerning executives, internal workplace misconduct and other internal complaints. Her services also include preparation of individual and multistate employer noncompete, nonsolicit, nondisclosure and other restrictive covenant agreements; advice regarding onboarding of employees or groups of employees from a competitor, or departing employees joining a competitor; and preparation and implementation of trade secret protection programs, including trade secret audits.
Kate is currently a member of the firm's executive committee, the co-chair of the firm’s national Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes group, and she is the chair of the ABA Committee on Trade Secrets and Interference with Contracts. Kate is the immediate past national chair of Seyfarth’ s Litigation department, has led a variety of litigation and business counseling practice areas, and she has collaborated with other firm non-litigation departments on client and industry initiatives. These various Seyfarth and industry leadership roles enhance her client service by giving her up to the minute access to emerging legal trends, best-practices and benchmarking information, as well as a deep knowledge of firm and industry talent that can be tapped for specialized client needs.
Kate has also studied and employed the most innovative techniques in the legal industry, including value-based pricing, process improvement, and project management and service delivery that affect the business side of many in-house legal departments.
Kate also has considerable experience in devising and managing alternative, value-based fee structures. She is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and applies Lean Six Sigma and SeyfarthLean principles to her practice, counseling clients on process improvements, data analytics, and project management.
Kate is her clients’ first call when they face challenges with unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and other intellectual property theft, restrictive covenant litigation, complex commercial disputes, wrongful termination, and internal workplace misconduct and compliance complaints. In addition to representing her clients across the country on such matters in federal and state courts, arbitrations and mediations, she is also frequently retained to conduct complex investigations concerning executives, internal workplace misconduct and other internal complaints. Her services also include preparation of individual and multistate employer noncompete, nonsolicit, nondisclosure and other restrictive covenant agreements; advice regarding onboarding of employees or groups of employees from a competitor, or departing employees joining a competitor; and preparation and implementation of trade secret protection programs, including trade secret audits.
Kate is currently a member of the firm's executive committee, the co-chair of the firm’s national Trade Secrets, Computer Fraud & Non-Competes group, and she is the chair of the ABA Committee on Trade Secrets and Interference with Contracts. Kate is the immediate past national chair of Seyfarth’ s Litigation department, has led a variety of litigation and business counseling practice areas, and she has collaborated with other firm non-litigation departments on client and industry initiatives. These various Seyfarth and industry leadership roles enhance her client service by giving her up to the minute access to emerging legal trends, best-practices and benchmarking information, as well as a deep knowledge of firm and industry talent that can be tapped for specialized client needs.
Kate has also studied and employed the most innovative techniques in the legal industry, including value-based pricing, process improvement, and project management and service delivery that affect the business side of many in-house legal departments.
Kate also has considerable experience in devising and managing alternative, value-based fee structures. She is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt and applies Lean Six Sigma and SeyfarthLean principles to her practice, counseling clients on process improvements, data analytics, and project management.
- JD, Western New England University School of Law
Western New England Law Review
- BA, Skidmore College
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New York
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- US District Court, District of Connecticut
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- Representing several national retail chains in consumer class actions regarding the legality of requesting zip code information at point-of-sale.
- Prosecuted multijurisdictional unfair competition claims against clinical toxicology laboratory which engaged in misinformation campaign against competitor laboratory implying violations of federal health care fraud statutes, and defended counterclaim alleging violations of same federal health care fraud statutes. Favorably settled litigation after obtaining dismissal of the counterclaim on the eve of trial.
- Defended and favorably settled claims of aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference with contract, and unfair competition against financial services firm brought by competitor concerning decision of several employees of competitor to leave and join client firm. Favorable settlement after mediation.
- Prosecuted claim on behalf of insurance brokerage firm in suit against former owner and director, and competitor for breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract, interference with contract, and unfair competition. Favorable settlement after TRO entered.
- Prosecuted and favorably settled claims after 4 week bench trial for breach of contract, unfair trade practices, and conversion on behalf of a commodities firm against a common carrier to recover value of “lost” or “stolen” fuel products.
- Prosecuted and favorably settled action brought by manufacturer of complex computer software against licensee for unfair trade practices and breach of contract.
- Defended and defeated a motion for preliminary injunction against a financial services company brought by a former executive for misappropriation of intellectual property.
- Prosecuted claims on behalf of the largest industrial plumbing supplier in North America in multiple jurisdictions against competitor and eight former senior-level employees for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duties and restrictive covenant agreements, unfair competition, and conspiracy, among others, arising out of competitor’s raiding of entire Ohio Valley industrial group and attempted poaching of major customers. Reached settlement on the eve of trial requiring multimillion dollar payment and extensive restrictions on hiring and solicitation of employees and customers, among other things.
- Prosecuted and favorably settled a complex non-compete action in federal court involving ten employees who joined a competitor, including claims of breach of contract, violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, unfair trade practices, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
- Defended and defeated motion for preliminary injunction to prohibit clinical toxicology laboratory from hiring a sales person from another company. Case voluntarily dismissed by adversary after denial of motion.
- Defended and favorably settled an action brought against a biotech company and one of its senior level employees against claims for trade secret misappropriation under the “inevitable disclosure” doctrine.
- Prosecuted claims on behalf of executive staffing agency in action against four former employees and competitor for breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of fiduciary duty. Obtained favorable settlement after motion for temporary restraining order filed.
- Defended and tried to verdict an action over alleged breach of asset purchase agreement and misrepresentation in connection with the purchase of assets of a
- US corporation by a Canadian public company, including matters of scope of preemption of noncontract claims by terms of contract and evidentiary issues related to admissibility of prior acts. Jury awarded five times less than damages sought by plaintiff.
- Secured a victory for a large pharmaceutical company in an arbitration involving a complex contract dispute with a pharmacy benefit manager involving a breach of a rebate agreement.
- Defended and obtained voluntary dismissal with prejudice claims of breach of fiduciary duty and negligence against banking institution after targeted discovery on factual basis of claims.
- Prosecuted motion for preliminary injunction against retail franchisee resulting in immediate eviction of franchisee and surrender of inventory and intellectual property.
- Defended and successfully tried breach of contact action resulting from a failed art transaction, involving complex issues of agent liability.
- Prosecuted claims on behalf of inventor, majority shareholder and founder of technology of telecommunications company in contract dispute over the transfer of intellectual property rights. Obtained a favorable settlement prior to commencing litigation.
- Prosecuted and favorably settled action brought by founder and minority shareholder of a closely held software company claiming breaches of fiduciary duties.
- Defended and favorably settled an action brought by national pharmaceutical distributor in multimillion dollar dispute over the sale and pricing of pharmaceutical goods to a Massachusetts home-based healthcare business.
- Defended manufacturing company against discrimination claims of a former employee before the MCAD. Obtained dismissal following appeal of Lack of Probable Cause decision.
- Defended and favorably settled two discrimination actions against a manufacturing company brought by two former employees before the MCAD.
- Defended manufacturing company against race discrimination claims of former employee before the MCAD. Obtained dismissal following Lack of Probable Cause decision.
- Defended and favorably settled sexual and pregnancy discrimination claims brought by former employee against global nonprofit organization.
- Defended and favorably settled sexual harassment claims brought by former independent contractor against financial services firm.
Related News & Insights
-
Speaking Engagement
Oct 14, 2020
Kate Perrelli to Speak at The Women in Legal & Corporate Leadership Virtual Summit
-
Firm News
Sep 29, 2020
Seyfarth Announces New Executive Committee Members
-
Blog Post
Jul 1, 2020
Katherine Perrelli Named Chair of the ABA Intellectual Property Section’s Trade Secrets and Interferences with Contracts Committee
-
Blog Post
Jun 18, 2020
Seyfarth’s Trade Secrets Group Earns Top Tier Ranking from Legal 500 for Fifth Consecutive Year
Recognitions
- Recognized Attorney for Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) by The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2011, 2017, 2020)
- Listed by Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation (Woodward/White Inc.) (2019-2021)
- Named as one of the Top Women of Law 2016 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (BridgeTower Media)
- Litigation Counsel of America (fellow, Diversity Law Institute, Trial Law Institute)
- American Bar Association, Section of Intellectual Property Law, Trade Secrets and Interferences with Contract Committee chair
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Boston Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce board of directors