Intellectual Property

In this era of hyperconnectivity and mass misinformation, few matters are as important to businesses as the protection of intellectual property (IP). A manuscript, a mock-up or a design can be copied or stolen in a matter of seconds. Theft of your property can expose you to significant financial loss while hurting your company’s ability to thrive and compete.

The attorneys at Thomas Whitelaw have served as IP litigators and patent lawyers for a broad range of businesses in diverse industries, including software, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and oil and gas.

Our deep experience in this legal area allows us to provide a dynamic approach for our clients. We excel at devising successful legal strategies and solutions in high-stakes technology disputes and, as a result, our lawyers have received recognition throughout California and on a national level.

Ironclad Protection Of Intellectual Property

You have exclusive rights to your inventions or designs. Just as the law protects your private property, so does it protect your intellectual property. General areas of intellectual property include:

Trademarks
Patents
Trade secrets
Copyrights

When we think of IP, we might think of a common commercial brand — the sort of advertising we see on television or on our browser. Fast-food company A is suing fast-food company B for using their name or image. But, compromised IP happens even to small businesses. The need for IP protection spans the entirety of our economic system.

IP infringement can take many forms, from violating a noncompete agreement to theft of customer lists and other proprietary information.

Whether your IP has been stolen or you have been accused of infringing upon another party’s IP rights, the need for experienced legal guidance is paramount. Our attorneys are skilled and experienced litigators with a proven record of success resolving IP disputes in and out of court. We are prepared to protect your rights and your most valuable intellectual property, and do so in a cost-effective manner.

Protect What Is Yours

Skilled IP Infringement Representation

COMPLEX LITIGATION

Having a seasoned litigation team on your side can make all the difference in your case. The attorneys at Thomas Whitelaw have decades of experience handling complex litigation throughout California and have been recognized on a national level for their results. Your chance at a successful lawsuit or defense hinges on the prowess of your attorney.

Our team has a track record of successful results with many high-stakes cases ranging in the millions.

We have served a broad range of clients, including VIZIO, Western Digital, Toshiba, CoreLogic and First American Financial. We are well-staffed and well-prepared thanks to excellent leadership and a network of firms and other resources we use to best suit the needs of our clients. Our lawyers will stand by your side during every step of the process, helping you see the big picture and understand the fine legal details.

A Legal Team Equipped For Complex Litigation

In a perfect world, companies would draft clear contracts and honor the agreements they make. Unfortunately, reality often strays far from the ideal.

When one of the sides does not carry out their side of an agreement, the other side can seek relief for the damages they have suffered by pursuing a breach of contract claim. Contract litigation includes disputes over:

Employment agreements: Claims can include breach of a noncompete agreement, a confidentiality agreement or a compensation agreement.
Contracts for the sale of goods: Claims typically involve nonconformity of goods delivered in terms of quality, quantity, timeliness or failure to deliver.
Contracts between principals in a company: Claims can include violation of an agreement between principals of a corporation, partners in a partnership or members in an LLC.
Contracts with vendors: Claims often involve failure to perform under a contract or billing fraud.
Contracts for the sale of a business: Claims often involve misrepresentation or violation of a covenant not to compete.

We represent plaintiffs and defendants in contract disputes as well as other types of business litigation. Our lawyers will help you determine which avenue is the best for your specific case.

Efficiently Resolving Contract Disputes

REAL ESTATE LITIGATION PROS

At Thomas Whitelaw, we have a broad practice that covers transactions and litigation of real property disputes. Our firm’s outstanding trial lawyers have accumulated some of the largest real estate damage judgments and settlements in California. Our past representations include the following:

A shopping center owner seeking compensation for damages after losing available parking to an extension. The $33,000,000 in damages was the largest judgment at the time in San Mateo County.
The city of Mountain View claiming a breach of a ground lease
Landowners in simultaneous quiet title and inverse condemnation actions. The county board approved a $102,000,000 payment to resolve claims.
A construction company seeking damages for a refused payment. This case was won in the county superior court.

Transaction Expertise

A successful litigation starts with a solid contract. Our transaction team is focused on corporate and real estate matters and supports our litigation practice with an eye towards the excellent and comprehensive service and support that our clients rely on.

Whether representing and counseling clients on property development or serving as defense counsel, our team has the experience necessary to bring success to your case.

SECURITIES LITIGATION AND COPORATE GOVERNANCE

Our securities litigation and corporate governance group is devoted to representing shareholders; public and privately held companies; as well as directors and officers.

Outside of the courtroom, the team has broad experience in advising companies, boards of directors, officers, board committees, and senior management on their fiduciary duties and managing risk through appropriate corporate governance practices. Thomas Whitelaw has the knowledge and experience to aid corporations at all stages of their existence

At Thomas Whitelaw, we can provide ongoing counsel in connection with:

Securities litigation
Start-up considerations
Federal and state disclosure requirements
Fiduciary duties
Shareholder relations
Independent director representations
Internal investigations
Crisis management
Governmental inquiries and investigations
Charter and bylaw amendments