Tag Archives: legal

Whistleblowers Receive Whopper Payouts as SEC Proposes New Rules to Limit Future Awards

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Joe Ahmad

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced two large whistleblower payouts last week, bringing the total paid-out bounty for the program to more than $320 million since it was created as part of the 2011 Dodd-Frank Act. The $39 million … Continue reading →

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Trump-Daniels Affair Exposes Inherent Legal Challenges with Hush Agreements

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Joe Ahmad

There are plenty of clues that the so-called “hush agreement” between Donald Trump and porn actress Stormy Daniels (née Stephanie Clifford) was hastily crafted and poorly thought out. Executed just days before the 2016, the non-disparagement agreement has a wealth … Continue reading →

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As Date Nears for Google v. Uber Trade Secret Trial, Uber Insiders Describe Culture of Espionage and Secrecy

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Joe Ahmad

In the year since Google’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary Waymo first leveled allegations that Uber had poached star engineer Anthony Levandowski knowing that he was bringing a raft of stolen trade secrets with him, the contentious litigation has consistently revealed new … Continue reading →

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U-Turn Ahead: Uber hits brakes over new hire’s refusal to help in trade secret defense

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Joe Ahmad

In a move that surprised no one watching the drama between Uber and Google’s Waymo self-driving vehicle division, Uber fired engineering whiz Anthony Levandowski on Tuesday. The company thought it scored a real coup last year in hiring Levandowski to … Continue reading →

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UPDATED: Trade Secret Proposal Has Won Over Congress & The President, But Not Me

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Joe Ahmad

Who says Congress can’t agree on anything these days? By an overwhelming vote of 410-2, the House recently approved the Defend Trade Secret Act (DTSA). The Senate already has passed the proposal and President Obama is expected to sign it … Continue reading →

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Crass Executive Spending Puts Leading Veterans Charity under a Cloud

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Joe Ahmad

As obvious as it seems, abusing an expense account with lavish personal spending is one of the most common ways a CEO can get into trouble. Being an executive comes with reasonable perks that are necessary and helpful to doing the job. But some people get carried away and forget that these funds are not for their personal use and enjoyment. Continue reading →

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What’s the Best Way to Take People With You to a New Company?

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Joe Ahmad

I’ve devoted a couple of blogs (here and here) to what things executives should and should not take with them when they change employers. Simply playing that part right can help avoid litigation with former employers. Where it gets really … Continue reading →

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Changing Jobs? Here’s What Not to Take With You

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Joe Ahmad

In my last blog, I discussed what executives should take with them when they’re leaving their company. In this blog, we’ll go over something just as important: what they shouldn’t take with them. The short answer is, besides the employment … Continue reading →

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Executives Should Proceed With Caution When Changing Jobs

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Joe Ahmad

One of the biggest, and most likely, legal headaches highly placed executives can give themselves involves their actions just before and just after leaving one company and joining another. An executive’s actions during this time are critical to avoid getting … Continue reading →

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Executive Deposition Tips, Part 7: Practice Makes Perfect

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Joe Ahmad

The most important step in preparing for a deposition is a full-blown cross examination dress rehearsal—minus opposing counsel, of course. After I’ve coached my client on all the do’s and don’ts of depositions (click here to see previous Executive Deposition … Continue reading →

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