Alexander K. Brehnan

Alex represents technology, life sciences and investment companies in their trade secrets and other complex business disputes. A member of several winning trial and arbitration teams, he resolves disputes at all litigation stages, frequently before a case is filed. He also defends companies and individuals against government investigations, including by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and state agencies.

Alex’s representative matters include:

• Defending a startup cybersecurity company against claims it misappropriated data related to inbound email threats through hiring employees from a legacy industry player
• Defending a biopharmaceutical company against claims it misappropriated a confidential drink formula after a busted deal*
• Defending a startup medical device company against claims it misappropriated proprietary techniques and technology through hiring employees from a rival company*
• Representing an investment firm in an investigation into allegations of misappropriated customer information stemming from hiring employees from a rival firm*
• Advising on various trade secrets investigations and litigations as counsel for the plaintiff or defendant, involving issues including trade secret ownership, public versus nonpublic information, and lost profits damages
• Representing an owner of horse racing tracks from claims of defamation and breach of contract by a banned thoroughbred trainer through victory at trial*
• Defending employees of an oil field operator after an oil spill from government investigators and a private class action leading to no action taken by the government*
• Defending numerous technology and life sciences companies in investigations brought by the DOJ and SEC
• Advising companies regarding practices related to protection of their trade secrets and other valuable information

Alex also maintains a robust pro bono practice. Highlights include victory at trial and through appeal for the largest class of Medicare patients in a matter concerning their right to reimbursement for necessary medical expenses and winning summary judgment for unhoused individuals against the city of Seattle in a matter concerning enforcement of camping regulations.* He also has handled various immigration matters and tenant-landlord disputes.

Alex is active in the San Francisco Bay Area legal community. He is a member of the Northern California chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers and serves on its Leadership Development Committee for developing attorneys. He also is a member of various other organizations in San Francisco, serving in legal leadership roles.

* Matters handled before joining Cooley