Mr. Goldsmith's practice focuses on intellectual property and complex commercial litigation. Over the last several years, he has tried and arbitrated cases in Northern and Southern California, London, England, Texas, Mississippi and Florida. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Goldsmith's practice also includes counseling, conducting internal investigations, and leading employee seminars.
Prior to joining Townsend, Mr. Goldsmith was a managing partner and founding shareholder at Legal Strategies Group, an Emeryville, California-based litigation boutique.
Representative Cases
Trade Secret Cases
- Lead counsel for defendant in successful two week arbitration involving high technology materials technology (2009).
- Lead counsel in successful breach of confidence/trade secret/patent ownership dispute before London Court of International Arbitration involving novel antibacterial agents (2006-2009).
- Raychem Corp. v. Bourns, Inc., et al. and related cases (C.D. Cal. 1995-2003). Co-lead counsel representing high technology materials development company in trade secret, patent, and antitrust dispute involving client’s defense of key intellectual property rights. Won a $43 million verdict.
Patent Cases
- Infineon v. Fairchild (D. Del. 2009). Co-lead counsel in patent dispute involving MOSFET technology.
- Won inventorship issues in breach of confidence/trade secret/patent ownership dispute. (2008)
- Informatica v. Business Objects (N.D. Cal. 2007). Trial counsel in software patent dispute.
- Wasinger v. Levi Strauss & Co. (W.D. Texas 2005). Successfully defended Levi Strauss & Co. in patent infringement litigation filed in the Western District of Texas. Favorable settlement reached prior to trial.
- JumpSport v. JumpKing, et al. (N.D. Cal. 2001-2004). Trial counsel for plaintiff inventor in successful patent/false advertising case.
Commercial Cases
- Neoris v. Ariba (N.D. Cal. 2006). Trial counsel for plaintiff in dispute over e-commerce software.
- In re Cosmetic Cases (Marin County Sup. Ct. 1999-2004). Represented Saks & Co. in price fixing case involving alleged horizontal conspiracy regarding the sale of department store cosmetics.
- AGF v. Levi Strauss & Co. (W.D. Texas 1998-2000). Lead counsel for defendant in contract dispute in which plaintiff sought damages in excess of $35 million. Case settled very favorably after nine days of trial and court had dismissed most of plaintiff’s damage claims.
- Tavani v. Levi Strauss & Co. (S.F. Superior Ct. 1999-2002). Lead counsel for defendant Levi Strauss & Co. in employment termination and right of privacy case. Won summary judgment.
- Hansen v. Levi Strauss & Co. (S.F. Superior Court 1999-2001). Lead counsel for defendant Levi Strauss & Co. in whistle-blower case. Settled very favorably.
Trademark Cases
- Skechers v. R. Griggs, et al. (C.D. Cal. 1999-2000). R. Griggs et al. v. Skechers, et al. (N.D. Cal. 1999-2000) Lead counsel for R. Griggs & Co., manufacturer of Dr. Martens© footwear, in several infringement cases and one false advertising case.
- Revatex v. Levi Strauss & Co. (C.D. Cal. 1998-1999). Lead counsel in trademark dispute over client’s alleged use of competitor’s trademark. Won on summary judgment.
- Coordinating Anti-Piracy - Trademark Counsel, Levi Strauss & Co. Outside counsel coordinating other counsel and trying cases in client’s sustained and successful effort to stop the counterfeiting and infringement of its products. Worked on and supervised litigation in this country and in Europe and Asia.
- Levi Strauss & Co. v. Serrato, et al. (C.D. Fla. 1994) Trial counsel: Won a $7 million jury verdict in anti-counterfeiting case.
Speaking Engagements
- Panelist, Trade Secrets: Cost Effective Protection for Valuable Business Information, American Corporate Counsel Association SF Bay Area Chapter (Palo Alto, California, June 2, 2009 and San Francisco, California, June 3, 2009)
- Panelist, “Trial of the IP Case.” IP Section of San Francisco Bar Association (2006)