In March, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals released its decision in Oracle America, Inc. v. Google LLC, reversing a jury verdict and holding that Google’s unauthorized use of certain aspects of Oracle’s Java software did not qualify as “fair use” under copyright law. Lewis & Llewellyn filed and amicus brief on behalf of Ralph Oman, the former Register of Copyrights of the United States, analyzing the definition of “fair use” in support of Oracle’s appeal. The Federal Circuit’s decision will have a far-reaching impact and Lewis & Llewellyn is proud to have been involved in this case.
Category: Announcements
A Lewis & Llewellyn team led by Nick Saenz, and co-counsel at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, recently represented a group of defendants at trial in a hotly contested dispute over the composition of a board of directors. After the plaintiffs rested their case, we moved for nonsuit, arguing the plaintiffs had failed to present sufficient evidence to sustain their burden of proof. The Judge granted our motion and dismissed the plaintiffs’ case without our clients having to present any evidence.
Benchmark Litigation recently released its 2018 rankings, and it ranked Lewis & Llewellyn one of the few “recommended” law firms in California. In order to compile the list, Benchmark undertakes an exhaustive process which includes client, peer and partner interviews. As Benchmark notes, every firm that achieved the “recommended” status was deemed a leader in its respective market. It further commented that since its opening six years ago, the firm “has generated a significant level of buzz.” You can read Benchmark’s full analysis of the firm here.
Our attorneys are actively involved in the legal community, lecturing frequently on all aspects of civil litigation. Last month, partner Evan Burbidge spoke alongside Casey O’Connor, Associate General Counsel at Stitch Fix, and Neil Pai, General Counsel at Founders Fund, on”Things Start-Ups Should Know.” This well-attended CLE included a discussion of common legal mistakes start-ups make and guidance on how to avoid them. Also in February, partner Ryan Erickson served as a panelist at the BASF’s Annual Solo & Small Firm Conference, where he discussed “How to Level Up Your Law Practice.” And in March, Evan Burbidge served as part of the faculty presenting on “Mastering the Deposition” with Pincus Professional Education.
Marc Lewis and Paul Llewellyn recently traveled to Oxford University, England, to discuss the firm’s groundbreaking work bringing civil lawsuits on behalf of victims of childhood sexual abuse. The lecture was well-received by both the law faculty and students, and resulted in an impassioned and substantive discussion following the lecture.
At Lewis & Llewellyn, we routinely engage in all forms of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration. Paul Llewellyn and Nick Saenz recently secured an arbitration victory on behalf of the firm’s client, one of Silicon Valley’s leading technology companies. The claimant, a logistics supply company, alleged that the firm’s client was contractually obligated to use its services for a certain amount of time. Following discovery, we moved for summary disposition, arguing the claimant’s allegations failed as a matter of law. The arbitrator agreed, dismissing the claim entirely.
We recently filed a high-profile lawsuit against Auberge Resorts, LLC, operator of some of the world’s finest resorts. The lawsuit alleges that the firm’s client was raped by a room service waiter while staying at the luxury Esperanza Resort, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The complaint further asserts that the resort refused to call the police, claiming they did not work at night. The lawsuit also documents how a simple internet search of the attacker would have revealed highly graphic and disturbing sexual images on his public social media profile. We are proud to continue to fight on behalf of victims of sexual abuse.
You can read more about the lawsuit, which has already attracted the attention of the national and international media, here.
Lewis & Llewellyn is pleased to announce that Marc Lewis and Paul Llewellyn have been named to the National Law Journal’s (“NLJ”) 2017 list of “Elite Boutique Trailblazers.” According to the NLJ, the honorees were selected for “a deep passion and perseverance in pursuit of their mission, having achieved remarkable successes along the way.” The NLJ selected just 23 attorneys throughout the United States to receive this honor and other honorees included powerhouse litigators John Keker, Robert Van Nest, and Elliot Peters of Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP, Barry Levy of Horvitz & Levy LLP, and John Hueston of Hueston Hennigan LLP. A copy of the NLJ’s article about the firm can be found here.
As part of our employee mobility practice, we recently secured an important victory in the Northern District of California for a Fortune 500 financial services company. The litigation at issue concerns a financial consultant who left his employment to join a competitor. Our client sued, and alleged that the former employee stole trade secrets and breached his employment agreement. On this basis, we petitioned the Court for a TRO, and won. In ruling for our client, Chief Judge Hamilton enjoined the former employee and his new employer (another Fortune 500 financial services company) from “using, disclosing, transmitting, and continuing to possess” the information at issue, and ordered the defendants to file sworn statements that all information has been returned to our client. The Court further ordered the parties to proceed with an “expedited arbitration hearing on the merits” under FINRA.
Lewis & Llewellyn is proud to announce that Ryan Erickson has been appointed to the Board of Directors of CALICO. Founded in 1997, CALICO brings together law enforcement officers, child welfare workers, prosecutors and other professionals to respond sensitively and effectively to allegations of child abuse. CALICO is the only child advocacy center in Alameda County, California, and it serves approximately 700 abused children every year.
