Technology
In the dynamic, multifaceted sectors of technology and innovation, Downey Brand is at the forefront.
Our experienced teams of cross-disciplinary attorneys work closely with a wide array of industries and corporate practices that have unique technology needs: food and agriculture, health sciences, gaming, pharmaceuticals, automotive, aerospace, software and more. With a keen understanding of these nuanced enterprises, Downey Brand is uniquely positioned to help clients advance with the speed and technological acumen required by the innovation age.
Our attorneys oversee complex intellectual property issues involving hardware, software, mobile, and cloud-based applications. This includes registering and protecting domestic and international trademarks and copyrights, safeguarding clients through mergers and acquisitions to ensure patents are secure, and prosecuting and defending claims involving intellectual property assets. In our years of experience successfully navigating this changing landscape, we have also counseled clients in specialized matters such as domain name acquisition and enforcement, DMCA, HIPAA, and other related issues as they emerge.
Selected Experience
Selected Experience
- Represents one of California’s largest grocery chains in business and technology transactions, including several multimillion dollar transaction involving the redesign of the client’s IT infrastructure, websites, and customer programs.
- Represents some of California’s largest healthcare companies in drafting and negotiating contracts, including multimillion dollar information technology agreements and master services agreements.
- Represented AtPac, Inc. a leading supplier of computer software used by clerk-recorder offices throughout California in a suit against its direct competitor for copyright infringement and trade secret misappropriation, which resulted in monetary sanctions against the defendants and a $1.9 million settlement for AtPac, Inc.
- Represents one of California’s largest grocery chains in business and technology transactions, including several multimillion dollar transaction involving the redesign of the client’s IT infrastructure, websites, and customer programs.
- Represents some of California’s largest healthcare companies in drafting and negotiating contracts, including multimillion dollar information technology agreements and master services agreements.
- Represented AtPac, Inc. a leading supplier of computer software used by clerk-recorder offices throughout California in a suit against its direct competitor for copyright infringement and trade secret misappropriation, which resulted in monetary sanctions against the defendants and a $1.9 million settlement for AtPac, Inc.
- Represented a leading supplier of computer software used by clerk-recorder offices throughout California in a copyright infringement and trade secret misappropriation case that resulted in extraordinary sanctions against the competing software company and a seven figure recovery for our client.
Kelly M. Breen
Kelly M. Breen
Partner / Co-Chair, Diversity Committee
Kelly Breen has a proven track record of helping clients navigate complex business issues with a common sense approach that achieves optimal results. She applies the right balance of aggressive advocacy, robust understanding of the law, and creative problem-solving to every case she handles.
Sacramento 916.520.5485
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5485
Steven B. Hymas, II
Steven B. Hymas, II
Partner / Executive Committee Member
With over a decade of prior experience working in business and technology, Steve Hymas has a deep understanding of the legal issues clients face in relation to how their businesses work, the technical challenges they face, and how to handle those issues to best address their needs.
Sacramento 916.520.5538
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5538
Christopher Miles Kolkey
Christopher Miles Kolkey
Partner
Clients rely on Christopher Kolkey to navigate them through the complex channels of litigation and to be a passionate advocate for them. Christopher takes a client-tailored approach to litigation, assessing the needs and goals of each case as a key driver in litigation strategy.
Sacramento 916.520.5320
Partner
Sacramento 916.520.5320
John Oehmke
John Oehmke
Of Counsel
John Oehmke has been helping his clients buy and sell businesses for more than twenty years. He primarily helps them structure transactions, whether it is a merger, asset deal, or a stock deal, representing both the buyer as they add new businesses and the seller as they exit.
Sacramento 916.520.5480
Of Counsel
Sacramento 916.520.5480
Announcements
6 related items-
February 9, 2024Zachary A. Streiff Joins Downey Brand’s Litigation Practice
-
October 1, 2021Goodin MacBride’s Public Utility Regulation Practice Joins Downey Brand
Firm Furthers its Bay Area Presence with Strategic Expansion of Natural Resources Practice -
March 5, 2021Christopher Kolkey Selected to Leadership Sacramento Class of 2021
-
May 21, 2020Downey Brand Welcomes James Wigginton to its Growing Corporate Group in Sacramento
-
July 1, 2019Downey Brand Welcomes New Counsel Kelly Breen
-
September 17, 2018Downey Brand Welcomes Litigator Christopher Kolkey to its Sacramento Office
In the News
1 related items-
May 28, 2021Gaining Momentum: One homegrown company has gone public and two more are expected to this year
Sacramento Business Journal
Legal Alerts
4 related items-
April 8, 2020Sacramento County Health Officer Extends Stay at Home Order through May 1, 2020; Additional Clarifications for Essential Businesses
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and Updates Public Agency -
March 23, 2020UPDATED: Additional Guidance Provided on Critical Infrastructure Worker Designations in Wake of Statewide Order to Stay Home
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and Updates Public Agency -
March 20, 2020Statewide Order to Stay Home Prompts Questions Regarding Critical Infrastructure and Worker Classifications
Downey Brand COVID-19 News and Updates Public Agency -
February 18, 2020California Supreme Court Holds Apple Employees Must Be Compensated for Time Spent Undergoing Exit Searches
Employment Law
Publications
6 related items-
April 18, 2022 (Revised)Summary of California Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Opinions Reviewing Decisions of the California Public Utilities Commission
Provided by Downey Brand’s Public Utility Regulation Practice -
October 2017The “Wild West” of ADA Website Litigation
California Grocer, Issue 4 -
June 2017Protecting Intellectual Property Rights
California Grocer, Issue 3 -
April 24, 2017Patent Trial and Appeal Board Overturns an Examiner’s “Analogous Art” Rationale for an Obviousness Rejection
-
September 9, 2014Protect Your Bottom Line by Avoiding Data Theft
Northern Nevada Business Weekly, Business Law Guide -
May 2014Data Security: Is Your Company Protected?
Association of Corporate Counsel, Nevada Chapter