Kobre & Kim
Firm overview:
Kobre & Kim focuses exclusively on complex litigation, arbitration, and cross‑border dispute resolution. Founded on a model that prioritises aggressive advocacy and independence from repeat client relationships, the firm’s practitioners are known for their readiness to litigate high‑stakes matters wherever clients require representation.
The firm handles trade secrets and related technology disputes that often involve significant commercial risk. Kobre & Kim’s lawyers are routinely engaged in matters where misappropriation of confidential information intersects with patent infringement, commercial litigation, and cross‑border enforcement. The firm’s approach emphasises early strategic assessment, careful management of technical evidence, and trial readiness in forums across the US and abroad.
Kobre & Kim’s trade secrets work is integrated with its IP and technology disputes practice, which serves clients in sectors such as energy, wireless communications, life sciences, and engineering. The firm’s litigators combine commercial insight with deep legal expertise, helping clients protect confidential assets, pursue damages, and enforce rights in courts throughout the country.
Team overview:
Michael Ng leads Kobre & Kim’s Intellectual Property and Technology Disputes practice and is frequently retained in high‑stakes trade secrets and IP litigation. Based in San Francisco, he serves as lead trial counsel in matters that involve significant commercial risk and complex technical issues. Ng has led litigation teams in cases resulting in substantial jury awards on behalf of clients and is sought out for his courtroom skills, strategic judgment, and ability to manage multi‑faceted disputes. He combines deep litigation experience with an understanding of clients’ business objectives to shape effective dispute strategies.
Daniel Zaheer practises at the intersection of trade secrets and broader IP disputes, advising and representing clients in complex litigation with national implications. Also based in San Francisco, Zaheer handles cases involving patent infringement and misappropriation of confidential information, drawing on experience in federal court trial practice and appellate work. He has secured nine‑figure results and reversed major decisions for clients, demonstrating both offensive and defensive litigation capability. Zaheer’s work spans industries including wireless communications and biotechnology, underlining his adaptability across technical sectors.
Key matters:
- Propel Fuels v Phillips 66
In 2025, Kobre & Kim client Propel Fuels was awarded an additional $195 million in exemplary damages for trade secret misappropriation by larger rival Phillips 66, bringing the total sum awarded to the renewable fuels company to more than $883 million—one of the largest trade secrets judgments in US history. Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer led the trial team.
Towards the end of the year, a California judge rejected Phillips 66’s bid to knock out the judgment.
Clients:
Propel Fuels
