The current issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly features Russell Beck in an article about a recent decision in a trade secret case. The case is titled Lightlab Imaging, Inc. v. Axsun Technologies, Inc.
Although the the plaintiff established that its trade secrets were misappropriated, the 
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that it was appropriate to exclude certain expert testimony regarding the plaintiff’s damages. The key problem for the plaintiff was that it was a startup company without a track record to support the expert’s analysis of lost future profits.
The SJC’s decision appeared to invite alternate theories of damages in trade secret cases.
In the article, Russell Beck is quoted as follows:
“The court did not provide a lot of guidance on the issue of alternative theories, but the takeaway seems to be that companies will no longer be relegated to traditional trade secrets damages theories,” said Russell Beck of Boston’s Beck, Reed, Riden. “The decision opens the door to creative methods of compensating a victim of trade secrets misappropriation, when traditional relief is inadequate.”
The article is by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s reporter, Brandon Gee.
is among the leading authorities in trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition law, and our experience handling these matters is backed by our extensive employment law and business litigation experience. Our hand-picked team combines attorneys with complementary expertise and practical experience. The Wall Street Journal recently featured Beck Reed Riden LLP’s noncompete agreement experience.
Russell Beck’s work in this area is well recognized; it includes:
- Over sixteen years of working on trade secret, noncompete, and unfair competition matters
- Authoring the book Negotiating, Drafting, and Enforcing Noncompetition Agreements and Related Restrictive Covenants (4th ed., MCLE, Inc. 2010), used by other lawyers to help them with their noncompete cases
- Drafting and advising on the current bill pending before the Massachusetts Legislature to define, codify, and improve noncompetition law
- Teaching Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants at Boston University School of Law
- Founding and administrating the award-winning blog, Fair Competition Law
- Establishing and administrating the Noncompete Lawyers and Trade Secret Protection groups on LinkedIn, with over 750 members around the world
- Founded and chaired the Trade Secret / Noncompete Practice for an AmLaw 100 firm
In addition, Russell was honored for his work in this area of law in the 2014 Chambers USA Guide, which explained that “Russell Beck of Beck Reed Riden LLP specializes in noncompete litigation and is a trade secrets expert. He comes highly recommended by his peers for his nationwide practice in this niche. ‘He’s fantastic,’ sources say.”
Beck Reed Riden LLP is Boston’s innovative litigation boutique. Our lawyers have years of experience at large law firms, working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups and individuals. We focus on business litigation and labor and employment. We are experienced litigators and counselors, helping our clients as business partners to resolve issues and develop strategies that best meet our clients’ legal and business needs – before, during, and after litigation. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and help you. Read more about us, the types of matters we handle, and what we can do for you here.