In a series of breakfast briefings, Seyfarth attorneys Robert Milligan, Joshua Salinas, and Scott Atkinson, joined by Jim Vaughn, one of California's leading computer forensic experts, discussed how to navigate the tricky waters and provided best practices for trade secret protection. The briefings covered how to best identify and protect trade secrets, what employers need to know about the DTSA, the impact of new California Labor Code Section 925, how to catch a trade secret thief, and more. Click here to see the slides from the briefings.
As a conclusion to this well-received Breakfast Briefing Series, we compiled a summary of three takeaways that were discussed during the briefings:
- Employers should continue to use caution when using non-California forum selection clauses and choice of law provisions in agreements that are "conditions of employment" with California employees. Attempting to enforce such provisions may not only result in litigation, but may also result in the employer being on the hook for the employee's attorney's fees under California Labor Code section 925.
- Employers should update nondisclosure agreements and company policies to include language reference to the Defend Trade Secrets Act whistleblower provisions.
- Employers should remember that mobile devices can be configured differently, and depending on how they allowed them to be configured, can be problematic post departure of the employee. Corporate partitions, company iTunes accounts, and mobile device management systems are all options to consider.
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