Clay James is a litigator and trial lawyer who tackles high-stakes intellectual property (IP) disputes, class actions, privacy and data security cases, and complex commercial litigation, with a focus on technology-related matters. He serves as Office Managing Partner for our San Francisco office and is also a member of the firm's board.

Intellectual Asset Management ranks Clay as a top IP litigator, stating that "he has developed sophisticated expertise in e-commerce matters, although companies also prize his counsel on cases concerning computer hardware, software, and business methods."

Clay has acted as lead counsel in dozens of patent, copyright, and trade secret cases involving computer hardware and software. He regularly counsels in additional technology areas as well, including handsets, microprocessors, computer applications, database programs, computer and handset displays, power management devices, online advertising and electronic commerce, medical records technology, and business methods. He has also litigated patent and trade dress claims related to headphones and audiology products. He has also handled class actions and other complex disputes, with an emphasis on privacy, data security, and consumer fraud cases.

Clay is active in the IP legal community, including as a past Chairman of the Intellectual Property Section of the Colorado Bar Association. He has appeared as lead counsel in state and federal courts around the country, including leading IP and technology jurisdictions such as the Eastern District of Texas, the Northern District of California, the Northern District of Illinois, and the District of Delaware.

Having served as chief litigation counsel for Sun Microsystems, Inc. for seven years, Clay's in-house experience leads him to approach issues from a practical, problem-solving perspective. He is particularly focused on delivering outstanding results while meeting the client's budget needs and is a strong advocate of alternative fees.