Top Georgia Trade Secrets Attorney

At Cantrell Schuette, P.A., one of our core practice areas is representing clients in disputes involving claims of trade secret misappropriation. As reflected below, we have a long and proven track record of successfully representing clients in trade secret and related disputes throughout Georgia. We fully appreciate that, apart from personnel, a company’s trade secrets may be its most value asset. Conversely, we recognize that sometimes meritless trade secret claims are asserted as part of concerted efforts to hurt a competitor.

Below is additional information on: (i) trade secret related matters for which we are routinely hired; (ii) examples of recent successes; and (iii) a brief overview of Georgia trade secret law. If you need a Florida trade secrets law firm, contact us at (877) 858-6868 or attorneycoordinator@caklegal.com.

Our Trade Secret Experience

We have significant experience with trade secret disputes and other competition or employment-based disputes. While our industry experience is wide ranging, we have particularly deep experience in the insurance, healthcare, automotive, manufacturing, technology, financial, and staffing/recruiting industries. Specific examples of trade secret matters we handle include:

• Defending against claims of trade secret theft, including state-based claims and claims asserted under the federal Defend Trade Secret Act.
• Assessing and prosecuting claims of misappropriation of trade secrets.
• Counseling clients on how to mitigate the risks of trade secret misappropriation and disclosure of confidential business information.

Other competition and employment based claims that we successfully resolve include claims for tortious interference, breach of restrictive covenants (e.g., non-compete, non-solicits, and non-disclosures), breach of fiduciary duty, business defamation, false advertising, unfair competition under the Lanham Act, and alleged violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). We represent clients in state and federal courts, as well as arbitrations, throughout Georgia and Florida. We also seek and defend against temporary or preliminary injunctions.

Our clients range from individual business owners and executives to mid-sized companies and Fortune 500 companies. If you need a Georgia trade secret attorney, contact us at (877) 858-6868 or attorneycoordinator@caklegal.com.

Recent Successes

We have dozens of success stories involving disputes concerning trade secrets and related competition and employment matters. The below examples are intended only to provide a sense of the various contexts and industries in which we handle trade secret disputes:

• Pre-lawsuit convinced regional insurance company to abandon its trade secret and non-compete claims against former agent.

• Filed suit on behalf of a leading national electrical supply company seeking an injunction against a former sales executive and his new national employer in connection with the sales executive’s non-compete, non-solicit, and non-disclosure agreement. Obtained a favorable settlement shortly before injunction hearing.
• Obtained injunction and favorable settlement on behalf of national healthcare staffing company against team of sales executives who transitioned to competitor and misappropriated trade secrets and breached restrictive covenants.
• Filed suit on behalf of national healthcare staffing company seeking injunction. Defeated regional technology company’s attempt to obtain injunction against former executive who started an IT staffing company.
• Regularly represent individuals in Florida, Georgia, and nationally in successfully resolving and/or avoiding disputes with their former employers in connection with starting new business ventures or transitioning to new companies.

Overview of Georgia Trade Secret Law

Trade secret claims in Georgia are governed by Florida Statute 688.001-688.009, known as Florida’s Uniform Trade Secret Act. Under that statute, it is unlawful to misappropriate a trade secret. The first question in any trade secret dispute is whether the information at issue is technically a trade secret. Under the Florida Statute 668-002, a trade secret is defined as information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process that:

• Derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and
• Is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.

That broad definition can include many valuable company assets, such as client lists (with confidential information), confidential business plans, internal market research, sales forecasts, and internal operational policies and procedures.

The second question is whether a trade secret was misappropriated. Under Fla. Stat. 668.002, a misappropriation means:

• Acquisition of a trade secret of another by a person who knows or has reason to know that the trade secret was acquired by improper means; or
• Disclosure or use of a trade secret of another without express or implied consent by a person who:

Since its enactment in 1988, state and federal courts have issued hundreds of rulings that interpret and apply the provisions of Florida’s Uniform Trade Secret Act. At Cantrell Schuette, P.A., we are familiar with the most pertinent cases. As such, we can help guide clients to understand their rights and obligations, as well as effectively advocate during litigation.

In 2016, the federal government also expanded trade secret law when it enacted the Defend Trade Secret Act (DTSA). Now, in addition to suing under the Florida Uniform Trade Secret Act, companies who believe their trade secrets were misappropriated can also sue in federal court under the DTSA.

For additional information concerning trade secret law, see our Frequently Asked Questions on Georgia Trade Secret Law.

Other Practice Areas

Cantrell Schuette, P.A. is a litigation boutique with subject matter expertise in competition law and employment law. We are also able to assist if you need a Georgia attorney for disputes concerning non-competes, unpaid bonuses or commissions, unpaid overtime, sexual harassment, and partnership and shareholder disputes. Please visit the firm’s litigation practice areas for more details on the type of disputes we handle.

As a reminder, when looking for a Georgia trade secret lawyer, you are encouraged to compare the background of the Georgia trade secret lawyers you are considering. Apart from subject matter experience, consider the educational background, past results, and what references say about their own experiences. We handle trade secret disputes throughout Georgia, including the cities of Savannah, Columbus, Valdosta, Macon, Albany, Tifton, Warner Robins, Marietta, Roswell, Athens, Blue Ridge, Gainesville, and Augusta.

If you or your company need a Georgia trade secret attorney, contact us at (877) 858-6868 or attorneycoordinator@caklegal.com.