Trade Secret & Non-Compete Specialty Team

Butzel Long's Trade Secret and Non-Compete Specialty Team includes attorneys with a wealth of knowledge and extensive courtroom experience in representing and counseling clients in trade secret, non-compete, and other competitively sensitive business disputes.

Butzel Long attorneys practicing in the areas of trade secret and non-compete law are regularly involved in obtaining and opposing injunctive relief and in negotiating the resolution of business competition disputes. Our attorneys have the knowledge and experience to successfully represent clients in this specialized area. Each attorney remains current with all legal developments and are often involved in the cases that define the boundaries of trade secret and non-compete law.

As a result of this leading edge involvement, Butzel Long attorneys are the key resource in this specialized area for not only litigation and trial expertise, but also for counseling clients on how to protect themselves and their competitively sensitive business information through the drafting of specially tailored restrictive covenants. Our attorneys frequently speak on business competition topics and share their experience-based knowledge and guidance with clients, other attorneys and industry groups.

Experience

Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete, copyright infringement, and unfair competition suit against former employees
Defended against claim for violation of a non-compete agreement
Superior Consultant Co., Inc. v. DeSimone. Represented employer in successfully obtaining injunction and then negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete suit against former employee and new employer.
Superior Consultant Co., Inc. v. Walling. Represented employer in successfully obtaining injunction enforcing covenant not to compete against former employee. 851 F. Supp. 839 (1994).
Sherwin Williams v. Nevada Color. Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete and unfair competition suit against former employees.
Defended fiberglass manufacturer in patent/trade secret infringement action
Represented a technology consulting company in negotiations and contemplated litigation against its former client regarding breach of the parties' non-disclosure agreement and related copyright infringement and theft of trade secrets claims.
Red Group v. Gattari. Successfully defended former employee in two lawsuits initiated by former employer alleging violations of a covenant not to compete and related claims.
Sherwin Williams v. Kuperschmidt. Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete and unfair competition suit against former employee.
Defended a major financial management company against numerous claims for violation of non-solicitation and confidentiality agreements over a ten year period.
Represented a former employee accused of stealing more than $100 million worth of trade secrets from his employers in violation of the federal economic espionage act.
Trade secret lawsuits
S & R Equipment Co., v. Stanley. Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete suit against former employee.
Achieved summary judgment in favor of employees who joined a competitor of former employee
Represented employer in successfully negotiating settlement of covenant not to compete and unfair competition suit against former employ.
Copyright, trademark and trade secret action.
Sherwin Williams v. Biggers. Represented employer in successfully obtaining injunction enforcing covenant not to compete against former employee. 851 F. Supp. 839 (1994).
Defended and won summary judgment in favor of former employees dismissing claims brought by employer alleging breaches of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, and tortious interference with business opportunities.