Bradford Newman

Bradford Newman

Partner
Baker & McKenzie LLP

Biography

Bradford Newman is a litigation partner resident in Baker McKenzie's Palo Alto Office and Chair of the North America Trade Secrets Practice. According to Chambers USA, Brad is a "recognized authority on trade secrets cases" who "is valued for his tenacious, intelligent and thoughtful approach to trade secrets matters." Bradford regularly serves as lead trial counsel in cases with potential eight and nine-figure liability, and has successfully litigated (both prosecuting and defending) a broad spectrum of trade secrets cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. He routinely advises and represents the world's leading technology, banking, professional service, manufacturing and commerce companies in connection with their most significant data protection and trade secret matters.

Bradford is the author of Protecting Intellectual Property in the Age of Employee Mobility: Forms and Analysis, a comprehensive treatise originally published in 2014 by ALM that offers authoritative guidance on legal risks and practical steps companies can take to protect their IP and remedy IP theft. He is the co-author, along with the Honorable Leo Gordon, senior judge for the US Court of International Trade, of "Uncovering Digital Evidence: A Comprehensive Guide for Legal Professionals in the Digital Era." Published by Springer in 2024, it offers a comprehensive overview of best practices and methods for collecting, preserving and analyzing digital evidence. The guide equips judges, lawyers, investigators and other professionals involved in legal proceedings with the expertise to effectively navigate the digital aspects of cases.

Practice Focus

Bradford specializes in matters related to trade secrets, Artificial Intelligence, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Smart Contracts, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency. He is the Founder and Co-Chair of the AI and Blockchain Subcommittee of the ABA. Recognized by the Daily Journal in 2019 as one of the Top 20 AI attorneys in California, Bradford has been instrumental in proposing federal AI workplace and IP legislation that in 2018 was turned into a United States House of Representatives Discussion Draft bill. In 2023, he was invited to testify before the United States Senate as an expert on AI and the Future of Work. He has also developed AI oversight and corporate governance best practices designed to ensure algorithmic fairness. Brad also serves as outside general counsel to one of the world's leading DeFi projects.

Professional Honors

  • Chambers USA (multiple years)
  • Legal 500 (multiple years) 
  • Daily Journal Top 20 AI Attorney, 2019
  • Daily Journal Top 20 Trade Secrets Attorney, 2019

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • ABA AI and Blockchain Subcommittee - Founder and Co-Chair
  • ABA Employment Litigation Subcommittee - Past Chair
  • ABA Business Law Section's National Annual Review - Founder and Editor, Employee Mobility, Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets Chapter
  • GiveLocally.net - Founder

Corporate Responsibility

Bradford is Founder of GiveLocally.net, which raises money for pre-screened families in need and delivers the assistance in-kind.

Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit~United States (1999)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit~United States (1997)
  • California~United States (1995)

Education

  • University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly University of California, Hastings College of the Law) (JD) (1995)
  • University of Pennsylvania (BA) (1992)

Languages

  • English
  • Invited Panelist and Co-organizer, Georgetown Law Trade Secrets Symposium, Institute for Technology Law & Policy, Georgetown Law
  • Interview, “ACI Digital Assets Compliance: AML, Sanctions & Regulatory Oversight,” Interview with David Hirsch, SEC Chief, Crypto Asset and Cyber Unit, Division of Enforcement, New York Bar Association, October 2023
  • Invited Panelist, "Staying Ahead of the Curve: Crypto Regulation and Competitiveness," August 2023
  • Invited Panelist, " Artificial Intelligence: Technical and Ethical Considerations for the Business Lawyer," ABA Business Law Fall Meeting, August 2023
  • Instructor, "Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Smart Contracts and Blockchain for Lawyers," Thomson Reuters Institute, December 6, 2021

Publications 

Firm Committee Memberships

  • North America Trade Secrets Practice - Chair