A&O Shearman
Firm overview:
A&O Shearman’s trade secrets practice, created by the May 2024 merger of US firm Shearman & Sterling and magic circle UK firm Allen & Overy, operates as a multi-disciplinary function across global practice groups, including IP litigation and transactions, employment advisory, litigation and investigations.
The team’s rapid response in critical trade secrets cases has successfully prevented the exposure of confidential information, saving clients millions of dollars and preventing the loss of critical competitive advantage. Notable representations include acting for plaintiff SS&C Technologies in trade secret litigation against a key competitor, resulting in a $44 million jury award plus fees.
The firm’s commercial IP team has acted on some of the biggest IP-rich transactions in recent years, spanning the technology, media, life sciences, consumer and financial services industries.
Team overview:
In keeping with A&O Shearman’s overall strategy of ‘global reach and depth’, the firm offers specialists in the critical trade secrets jurisdictions of the US and China, as well as the UK and the important European jurisdictions of France, Germany and Benelux.
Post-merger key personnel departures has affected the new firm, with the Bijal Vikal’s move to rival Skadden Arps a loss to the team.
Of the remaining US team, New York partners Stephen Fishbein and Chris LaVigne have been active over the years on trade secrets litigation for global hedge fund leader SS&C Technologies. In Boston, first chair trial life sciences and technology litigator John Bennett’s practice includes trade secrets, licensing and contract disputes.
Key matters:
- SS&C Technologies et al v DE Shaw & Co
Plaintiffs SS&C Technologies Holdings and Advent Software accused defendant DE Shaw & Co of violating the Defend Trade Secrets Act, common law misappropriation of trade secrets, and breach of contract. SS&C Technologies is the world’s largest independent hedge fund and private equity administrator, as well as the largest mutual fund transfer agency.
SS&C Advent is a leading provider of portfolio management and accounting solutions and services to the world's leading institutional asset and wealth management companies. The D. E. Shaw group is a global investment and technology development firm founded in 1988 with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Stephen Fishbein, John Nathanson, Christopher LaVigne, Benjamin Klebanoff and Sheyla Soriano, A&O Shearman, for plaintiffs SS&C Technologies and Advent Software.
Clients:
Advent Technologies, SS&C Technologies
