David J. Tsai is an associate in Perkins Coie LLP's Litigation practice and focuses on trade secret and patent litigation involving the Internet, software, semiconductors, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), pharmaceuticals, biotechnologies, and medical devices. His legal experience also includes successfully second chairing a trade secrets arbitration case involving silicon technology, litigating in the areas of copyrights and trademarks, preparing and prosecuting U.S. electrical engineering patent applications, drafting patentability, freedom-to-operate and non-infringement opinions, as well as patent interference in the area of biotechnology. David has written and lectured on Internet software applications, Hatch-Waxman/ ANDA litigation, and stem cell gene therapy.
Prior to his legal career, David worked in product management at Internet/software startups Zaplet, Inc., and TimeDance.com, funded by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and the Mayfield Fund, respectively. He focused on developing platforms for online collaborative communications. David also previously led the U.S. product management team for Corbett's Rotor-Gene (real-time PCR) product line.
David is committed to serving pro bono clients. He has represented pro bono clients at settlement conferences through the Northern District Court Assisted Settlement Conference Program. He has also worked on civil rights and immigration pro bono matters with the Asian Law Caucus and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, including successfully representing an HIV+ transgender Mexican client in immigration court.
David was named 2010 Barrister of the Year by the Santa Clara County Bar Association and a "Rising Star" in intellectual property litigation by Super Lawyers magazine in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He is the recipient of the Minority Bar Coalition’s Rising Star Award and the ABA Section of Litigation’s Outstanding Subcommittee Chair Award.
David is fluent in spoken Taiwanese and Chinese Mandarin and has successfully represented numerous Taiwan-based companies.
