Four Former Law Partners Sued for Theft of Trade Secrets and Unfair Competition

SANTA ANA, Calif., May 9, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new lawsuit filed on May 4, 2016, in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, Michael N. Misa, Martin W. Stefan, Matthew S. Koller, Teresa E. Ward, and their new law firm, Misa Stefen Koller and Ward LLP, engaged in a conspiracy to take confidential business information, client files, and raid employees from their former Westlake Village based law firm, Adelson Testan Brundo Novell & Jimenez ("ATB"). 

ATB is represented by Daniel J. Callahan of Santa Ana, California. According to Callahan, "Rather than resign and set up a new firm, the former partners laid in wait for almost 18 months while they collected confidential information, solicited clients and employees, all while collecting their salaries and benefits as partners of ATB."

The complaint states that the four partners occupied a position of trust within ATB and as a result had access to the highest confidential information about the firm and its clients, strategies and finances.  "The four partners intended to keep their scheme hidden, using their positions to continue gathering confidential information, for several more months until their conspiracy was discovered by other partners at ATB," Callahan noted. 

On April 4, 2016, the four partners were immediately terminated and escorted off the firm premises.  The lawsuit alleges claims for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, intentional interference and breach of contract against the former partners and their new law firm.  The damages are being calculated but preliminary estimates exceed $2 million.

The case is Adelson, Testan, Brundo, Novell & Jimenez v. Misa Stefen Koller Ward LLP, et al, (No. 30-2016-00850385-CU-BT-CJC), Superior Court of California, County of Orange.

CONTACT:
Daniel J. Callahan
714-241-4444 or (949) 584-4434
Email

SOURCE Callahan & Blaine