Benesch

Firm overview:

One of the country’s fastest-growing law firms, Benesch handles a high volume of trade secrets matters across the US. The firm’s Trade Secrets, Restrictive Covenants & Unfair Competition practice has strengths across both litigation and preventative counselling, and serves clients operating in industries including healthcare, technology, logistics, manufacturing, artificial intelligence and financial services.

Despite its relatively low profile, the firm has some major brands on its client roster and picks up some enviable business via word of mouth. To build up the right team to handle this work,

Benesch developed a trade secret protection and litigation programme for its associates and young partners, and now has expertise that extends across the US. Benesch’s attorneys move quickly and strategically for clients, often securing or defending against temporary restraining orders (TROs) and preliminary injunctions within days.

The team also provides guidance on compliance, risk management and employee mobility, helping clients avoid trade secrets breaches wherever possible.

Team overview:

With its roots in Ohio, the firm has expanded significantly in recent years and now has around 500 lawyers in offices based in Cleveland, Chicago, Columbus, New York, San Francisco and Wilmington. Benesch has trade secrets capabilities in all these locations, but particularly Chicago and Cleveland.

Highlighted by a peer as a name to know for US trade secrets work, Scott Humphrey, chair of the Trade Secrets, Restrictive Covenants and Unfair Competition Group, is credited with successfully litigating more trade secrets cases than any other attorney at a midsize firm in the last decade.

Humphrey’s expertise spans a wide range of complex commercial contract disputes and business torts that usually coincide with trade secrets. An industry peer notes his significant arbitration experience and role in growing Benesch’s trade secrets practice.

Senior managing associate Katie Burnett is also recognised for her highly active trade secret litigation practice, and is accomplished in managing and coordinating multi-jurisdictional disputes in both state and federal courts.

Other key members of the team include San Francisco partner James Thompson, with expertise across trade secrets and patents, and first-chair litigator Charles McMahon, based in Chicago, who is known for his strategic approach to litigation and settlement.