Intellectual Property & Technology Disputes

We focus on serving as special litigation counsel, avoiding conflicts that often prevent other firms from taking on the large-scale litigation common in patent infringement actions. As a result, we are able to aggressively represent our clients even when facing industrywide opposition.


Accolades April 2, 2025

Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer Named Top Intellectual Property Lawyers by Daily Journal

Kobre & Kim’s Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer have been named in Daily Journal’s 2025 list of Top Intellectual Property Lawyers. The annual list recognizes California’s top lawyers specializing in patent litigation, trademark and copyright.

Read More

Publications March 12, 2025

‘It’s an Extraordinary Amount, but the Law Is Clear’: Daniel Zaheer with WIPR on Propel’s Damages Quest

In a US $604.9 million verdict in October 2024, the Alameda County Superior Court in California ruled that Phillips 66 willfully and maliciously misappropriated trade secrets from Kobre & Kim client Propel Fuels. On March 4, 2025, Propel and Phillips 66 met again to address how much in damages Propel should ultimately receive. Kobre & Kim’s Daniel Zaheer sat down with World IP Review to discuss the exemplary damages hearing.

Read More

Client Alert February 13, 2025

U.S. Grows as Forum for Redress of Global Trade Secret Disputes

  • Claimants in trade secret disputes around the world increasingly bring their claims to U.S. courts and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).
  • Kobre & Kim partner Michael Ng recently discussed the trend in his interview with IAM Magazine. 
  • Kobre & Kim recently won a California case for firm client Propel Fuels, winning a US $604.9 million jury verdict in October—the most significant trade secret verdict of 2024.

Read More

Publications January 24, 2025

Michael Ng Discusses $604.9 Million Propel Victory on Law, disrupted with John B. Quinn

Kobre & Kim’s Michael Ng joined John B. Quinn on his Law, disrupted podcast to discuss a recent US $604.9 million jury verdict Kobre & Kim obtained on behalf of Propel Fuels in its trade secrets misappropriation case against Phillips 66.

Read More

Publications January 7, 2025

Michael Ng with IAM: U.S. Status as Trade Secret Litigation Forum Expected to Strengthen in 2025

Kobre & Kim’s Michael Ng sat down with IAM to discuss emerging trade secrets trends and global competition of litigation forums in 2025, a process he expects to speed up in 2025.

Read More

Publications November 1, 2024

‘An M&A Cautionary Tale’: Daniel Zaheer and Michael Ng Discuss the Propel Victory with IAM Magazine

As reported by IAM, the $604.9 million jury verdict Kobre & Kim obtained on behalf of Propel Fuels in its trade secrets misappropriation case against Phillips 66 is a mergers and acquisitions cautionary tale.

Read More

Accolades October 25, 2024

Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer Named “Litigators of the Week” by The American Lawyer

Kobre & Kim’s Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer were named “Litigators of the Week” by The American Lawyer.

Read More

Client Alert October 21, 2024

Jury Awards Kobre & Kim Client US $604.9 Million in Trade Secret Case

  • Propel Fuels, Inc. (“Propel”), a low-carbon fuel provider, was awarded victory by a jury in its trade secrets misappropriation case against Phillips 66 Company (“Phillips 66”). 
  • On October 16, 2024, the jury found that Phillips 66’s renewable fuels business was developed using Propel’s trade secrets in violation of California’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act and awarded unjust enrichment damages totaling US $604.9 million.
  • The jury also found Phillips 66’s misappropriation willful and malicious, meaning the Court may triple the total damages award.

Read More

Accolades August 15, 2024

Michael Ng Lauded Among Top Global IP Strategists in IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders Guide

The most recent IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders Guide has once again recognized Kobre & Kim’s Michael Ng among the very top intellectual property (IP) practitioners and strategists in the world.

Read More

Client Alert June 14, 2024

Cross-border strategies coordinated by PRC-based global counsel can enhance Chinese companies' abilities to monetize IP claims

  • Chinese companies with significant intellectual property (“IP”) assets continue to see their bottom lines threatened amid increased competition with the U.S. and other Western companies.
  • Kobre & Kim's ongoing commitment to its mainland China presence (recently featured in Law360) is critical to its ability to effectively manage cross-border IP disputes initiated outside China by Chinese companies in industries such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and consumer goods.

Read More

Accolades June 7, 2024

Kobre & Kim’s “Powerhouse” IP Team, Partners Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer Ranked as Top Global Patent Litigators

Calling Kobre & Kim a “top-tier patent litigation outfit that has a stellar reputation for getting results,” leading industry publication IAM has again recognized the firm’s intellectual property (IP) team in its 2024 edition of the IAM Patent 1000.

Read More

Accolades October 5, 2023

Michael Ng Recognized as Top IP Strategist by IAM Strategy 300

Kobre & Kim’s Michael Ng was again named to the IAM Strategy 300, which recognizes the “pioneers” in the IP industry who “innovatively create and action strategies which realize and amplify the worth of IP portfolios.”  

Read More

Accolades July 18, 2023

Kobre & Kim’s “Powerhouse” IP Team, Partners Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer Ranked as Top Global Patent Litigators

Calling Kobre & Kim a “top-tier patent litigation outfit that has a stellar reputation for getting results,” leading industry publication IAM has again recognized the firm’s intellectual property (IP) team in its 2023 edition of the IAM Patent 1000IAM said that both sides—patent holders and accused infringers—look to the firm for “aggressive and creative strategies that will swiftly put any dispute to bed.”

Read More

Accolades December 22, 2022

Michael Ng Among Top IP Practitioners in 2023 IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders

The latest IAM Strategy 300 Global Leaders has recognized Kobre & Kim’s Michael Ng among its top intellectual property practitioners from around the world.

Read More

Events November 7, 2022

Jason Masimore, John Han, Michael Ng on Asset-Focused Strategies to Fight Illicit Trade in Hong Kong ACC Webinar

Illicit trade is a low-risk, high-reward venture for criminals at the expense of companies whose goods are being trafficked. Fighting the traffickers to protect the company’s business has always been a drain on resources – but as Kobre & Kim’s Jason Masimore, John Han and Michael Ng explained during a webinar hosted by the Hong Kong Association of Corporate Counsel on November 2, in-house counsel can deploy new strategies that increase effectiveness and generate possible returns.

Read More