In a pivotal trade secrets case, Sideman & Bancroft’s Ronald Fisher represented biotech startup Trilobio, helping secure a critical injunction against a former executive accused of misappropriating the company’s proprietary information. The case, covered by The Recorder, highlights the strength of trade secret protections and the significant consequences for those who attempt to exploit them.
Trilobio, a San Francisco-based company known for its AI-driven robots used in biological research, alleged that its former CFO, Keoni Gandall, accessed and transferred confidential company data minutes after learning of his termination. The court found these actions in clear violation of California’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act (CUTSA), leading to the October 17 order issued by U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar.
In his statement to The Recorder, Fisher underscored the blatant nature of the misappropriation. “Mr. Gandall…really had no choice but to admit that he took Trilobio’s source code because he hosted it on his own website,” Fisher stated. This, along with evidence of backdoor programs installed to access the company’s data, illustrated an audacious breach of the confidentiality agreement Gandall had signed.
Fisher further commented on the importance of the court’s order as a warning to the industry. “People, including the [tech startup] founders, really don’t understand how robust the trade secret laws are,” he explained. “And it’s orders like these that put an industry on notice that you can’t do that.”
With tech innovation accelerating, cases like Trilobio’s serve as critical reminders of the legal protections available for proprietary information and the repercussions for breaches. Fisher’s representation in this case reinforces Sideman & Bancroft’s commitment to safeguarding clients’ intellectual property in an increasingly competitive landscape.
For more on this case, see The Recorder‘s detailed article featuring Ronald Fisher’s insights.
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Ronald Fisher is a seasoned civil and probate litigator known for his extensive trial and appellate experience and dedication to achieving client goals. Representing a wide range of clients—from Fortune 100 companies to high-net-worth individuals—Ron has secured over $90 million in trial judgments for plaintiffs and has successfully defended clients in federal and state court jury trials.
