Event Details

Have you seen the movie “Paranoia”?  Trade secret misappropriation can cause hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars in damages.  Companies should develop effective trade secret protection programs aimed at preventing the misappropriation of trade secrets and increasing the likelihood of success in litigation in the event that misappropriation occurs.  HR plays a critical role in this regard, from the hiring process and throughout the employment (or business) relationship, including at termination and even after the relationship ends.

Learning objectives of session: After attending this session, participants should be able to (1) identify potential trade secrets, (2) develop a strategic plan for protecting trade secrets that includes asking appropriate questions during the hiring and exit interview processes, using appropriate non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements, and utilizing appropriate tools to monitor and segregate trade secrets, and (3) understand how social media may affect a company’s ability to protect trade secrets, and (4) help position their companies to prevail in litigation in the event a trade secret is misappropriated and court action is necessary. 

About the speakers:

Mr. Stern devotes a substantial portion of his practice to representing companies in complex commercial/business disputes in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration, across the country.  His cases have involved a wide variety of contract, tort, and statutory claims. For example, he has litigated cases involving commercial contracts, real estate disputes, civil RICO, common law fraud, the False Claims Act (“FCA”), fiduciary duties, ownership interests in privately held companies, unfair competition, bank loans, consumer protection claims, unfair lending practices, insurance coverage disputes, enforcement of arbitration provisions, representations and warranties, privacy rights, mass torts, and other claims.

Mr. Stern’s substantial experience litigating complex business disputes has led many clients to seek his advice on avoiding litigation.  Mr. Stern has successfully “reverse engineered” his litigation experience to become an effective advisor and advocate negotiating various business contracts, such as vendor agreements, leases, sales agreements, service agreements, teaming agreements, and subcontracts, as well as various other risk management issues. ice agreements, teaming agreements, and subcontracts, as well as various other risk management issues.

Mr. Stern also devotes a significant portion of his practice to representing businesses in employment related matters, both as an advisor and litigator.  For example, he regularly advises companies on strategic matters involving employment policies, procedures, and practices, such as trade secret protection programs, wage/hour practices, bonus and other compensation programs, social media risks, and independent contractor relationships.  He also regularly helps businesses manage individual circumstances that arise on a day-to-day basis, such as employment terminations, separation agreements, employment agreements, leave requests, employee discipline, requests for reasonable accommodations, wage/hour issues, investigations, and the like.  Mr. Stern has defended employers against claims involving numerous discrimination and retaliation statutes, as well as various torts.  Mr. Stern has appeared before the EEOC, DOL, and comparable state and local government agencies, as well as the DOJ.  In addition, Mr. Stern has litigated employment claims in federal and state courts, as well as arbitration, in multiple jurisdictions.