Sidley Austin

Firm overview:

Spread across 21 offices worldwide, Sidley Austin is a formidable opponent in trade secret litigation. Described as a “fantastic firm” by a peer, Sidley has been called upon by some of the world’s largest companies to represent them when departing employees take valuable know-how with them, and as other trade secrets matters arise.

Sidley possesses significant experience in trade secret law, including ever-evolving federal and state legislation. The firm’s IP lawyers have expertise in analysing, enforcing, and defending claims based on software, data, and algorithms. Sidley can draw upon a multitude of heavyweight litigators to respond swiftly and effectively when a client’s trade secrets have been compromised. With a robust International Trade Commission (ITC) practice, the team is experienced in litigating trade secrets disputes under Section 337 of the Tariff Act.

Team overview:

Ching-Lee Fukuda is co-leader of Sidley’s global IP Litigation practice and widely respected for her patent and trade secret litigation victories. These include a six-year set of litigations defending Nevro against Boston Scientific’s assertion of 20 patents and more than 60 trade secrets, which ended with Boston paying Nevro $85 million.

First-chair trial lawyer Aimee Fagan has been involved in numerous high-stakes cases to defend or enforce patents, trademarks, trade secrets and more. Her recent experience includes obtaining a complete defence verdict in a trade secrets case involving a Big Four accounting firm.

A notable departure from the team in recent years was that of trade secrets litigator Justin Becker, who left the firm in 2024 to join Baker McKenzie. Becker has extensive experience of trade remedy proceedings as well as investigations before the US Department of Commerce and ITC.

Key matters:

• United States of America v Huawei Technologies

In November 2024, Huawei asked a New York judge to dismiss a multitude of charges levelled at it by the US government, including trade secrets-related allegations the company said were “impermissibly duplicitous”. Huawei is represented by a team from Sidley Austin and Jenner & Block.

The case is now progressing towards a trial, scheduled for May 2026.

Clients:

Huawei