Mastering Trade Secret Disputes for Business Success

Founded in November 2006, The Knowledge Group has established itself as a premier eLearning hub for Continuing Legal Education (CLE), Continuing Professional Education (CPE), and technology-focused webcasts. We equip lawyers, accountants, and industry professionals with expert-driven insights, timely regulatory updates, and practical strategies to help them stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.

James A. (Jim) Gale is the co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Intellectual Property Litigation Department and focuses his practice in the area of intellectual property counseling and litigation. He is a registered patent attorney with over 42 years of experience and is Chambers Band 1 ranked in Florida, Martindale AV Preeminent© rated, Board Certified in Intellectual Property by the Florida Bar, an AAA Arbitrator and the former inaugural chair of the IP Board Certification Committee. Jim has handled hundreds of cases involving patents, theft of trade secrets, restrictive covenants, trademarks, unfair competition, and internet disputes. He has appeared in over 400 federal cases in more than 48 federal district and circuit courts, as well as handled hundreds of injunctions in over 35 different states around the nation.

Jeff is a litigator with a national practice focusing on business disputes, specifically trade secret, supply agreement, UCC Article 2 warranty, and agricultural litigation for clients ranging from start-ups to global market leaders. His approach to effective advocacy is rooted in decades of experience and keen knowledge of what factors are decisive with arbitrators, judges, and juries. He has resolved many disputes through arbitration or trial and has litigated in twenty-four states. Jeff frequently writes on trade secret and UCC Article 2 issues and has presented at numerous state bar events and national conferences.

An experienced litigator who handles patent, trade secret, copyright, and trademark cases in state and federal courts and before the International Trade Commission (ITC), Scott knows that sometimes the best business solution is found outside the courtroom. After almost 30 years in practice, Scott is keenly aware of the legal and business issues involved in intellectual property litigation—and that, whether plaintiff or defendant, the costs to clients aren’t merely monetary. As such, he seeks to understand their motivations, concerns, and risk tolerance, always involving clients in the decision-making process, then designs and implements strategies based on their unique business objectives.

Chris DeBaere is an expert in the valuation of intellectual properties and technology-related businesses. With extensive experience working for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, software and hardware developers, and consumer products companies, Mr. DeBaere specializes in analyzing complex transactions and determining damages in intellectual property and commercial disputes. Mr. DeBaere prepares business and intellectual property valuations for transactions and litigated matters, including shareholder freeze-outs and bankruptcy proceedings. He has particular experience valuing interests in privately-held entities with complex capital structures. Mr. DeBaere also assists patent holders in developing licensing and monetization strategies, and he is regularly engaged to value patents and other intellectual properties.