Munger, Tolles & Olson
Firm overview:
Munger, Tolles & Olson’s (MTO) members have been recognised as some of the top labour and employment attorneys in California and beyond, enlisted by companies for complex matters requiring litigation expertise, investigations, or sophisticated advice.
With a reputation for courtroom strength, MTO has drawn clients ranging from one of the world’s biggest semiconductor manufacturers, Applied Materials, to leading biotech company Amgen and Disney-owned TV and radio network ABC, looking for assistance with trade secrets matters.
As well as handling high-stakes litigation and arbitrations, the team counsels clients on risk management during onboarding and offboarding, product development, due diligence, joint ventures and acquisition discussions.
Team overview:
MTO has a dedicated Trade Secret and Employee Mobility Practice that represents IP-rich companies with a range of matters, from advising on protecting trade secrets and managing employee transitions, to obtaining temporary restraining orders and opposing preliminary injunctions.
Miriam Kim is one of the firm’s attorneys who has been singled out as an industry leader. Kim’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation and investigations with an emphasis on trade secrets and IP protection, false advertising and technology disputes.
Carolyn Hoecker Luedtke is recommended for trade secrets matters by a peer, who says she’s “handled some very important matters” and “is very good”. Clients that “can hire whatever trade secret lawyer they want and have the money to do it” choose Luedtke, the peer notes; another comments that she is “aggressive, very strong”. She has particular expertise in IP law, sports, media and entertainment matters and technology disputes.
Key matters:
- X.AI Corp et al v OpenAI, Inc
The team is representing OpenAI in a trade secrets dispute with Elon Musk’s xAI, which could have significant implications for the industry and be one of the highest-profile secrets battles over artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
In October 2025, MTO filed a motion to dismiss and answer on behalf of OpenAI in response to litigation brought by xAI. The complaint alleges misappropriation of xAI’s trade secrets and unfair competition.
OpenAI’s motion to dismiss argues that the complaint fails to allege that OpenAI received or used any alleged xAI trade secrets and is based on the inevitable disclosure doctrine, which is not recognised in California, and that the intentional interference and unfair competition claims are preempted by the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act.
xAI filed an amended complaint in November 2025, expanding its allegations about the nature of its alleged trade secrets, as well as claims about how OpenAI and its employees obtained them.
Carolyn Hoecker Luedtke, Dane Shikman and Gabriel Bronshteyn are on the team for OpenAI.
Clients:
OpenAI
