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 May 9, 2025

Propel Fuels Trade Secrets Verdict One of ALM Top 10 Verdicts of 2024

Kobre & Kim’s team led by Michael Ng and Daniel Zaheer has been recognized in ALM’s “Top 100 Verdicts of 2024” for a recent US $604.9 million jury verdict in California on behalf of client Propel Fuels. The annual list recognizes the United States’ highest-ranking verdicts.

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Accolades April 24, 2025

Michael Ng Named IP Lawyer of the Year Finalist for 2025 California Legal Awards

Kobre & Kim’s Michael Ng has been named an “Intellectual Property Lawyer of the Year” finalist for the 2025 California Legal Awards.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”  

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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.”

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