Maselli, Samuel J.

Samuel J. Maselli is a counsel in the Litigation/Controversy Department, and a member of the Business Trial Group and the Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group. He joined the firm in 2008. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Maselli was an associate with an international law firm.

Practice

Mr. Maselli’s practice focuses on intellectual property litigation and complex commercial disputes. He has represented publicly-traded and privately-held clients in a broad range of federal, state, and International Trade Commission proceedings, with an emphasis on patent litigation and other intellectual property matters. Mr. Maselli also has represented Silicon Valley and foreign technology companies in cases involving antitrust violations, fraud, professional negligence, unfair business practices, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract claims. Additionally, Mr. Maselli has extensive experience in representing Silicon Valley and other California clients in connection with federal investigations for alleged stock option backdating, insider trading and political corruption. He has tried cases by jury and before the United States International Trade Commission.

Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Maselli served as a congressional aide in Washington, D.C. and as an advocate for the rural telecommunications industry, focusing on federal legislative and regulatory issues confronting that industry. He has testified before the United States Congress on rural development and finance issues.

Recent Highlights

Intellectual Property Litigation

• Representation of prominent Silicon Valley consumer products client in multi-venue patent and antitrust litigation against European competitor.
• Defense of semiconductor company in litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, involving asserted patent for micromechanical component and related fabrication process used in accelerometer technology.
• Successfully represented Silicon Valley client in patent litigation involving manifold technology for the flow and metering of chemicals in processing equipment used by semiconductor manufacturers.
• Successfully defended semiconductor company in International Trade Commission investigation related to metallization method patent used in manufacture of integrated circuits.

Corporate and Commercial Litigation

• Successfully represented advertising agency and owners in litigation involving claims of breach of contract, defamation, breach of fiduciary, misrepresentation, and violations of California's unfair competition law (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq.).
• Successfully represented DRAM manufacturer in complex federal litigation involving allegations of price fixing, including service as lead associate in managing litigation.
• Successfully represented distribution company in shareholder and corporate governance dispute.

Securities and Governmental Investigations

• Successfully represented multiple Silicon Valley technology companies in SEC and US Department of Justice investigations for alleged stock option backdating and insider trading.
• Successfully represented large defense contractor in federal grand jury investigation involving allegations of political corruption and bribery.

Professional Activities

Mr. Maselli is a member of the American Bar Association.

Honors and Awards

• Recognized as a "Rising Star" in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of Northern California Super Lawyers.