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Practice Areas

Investigations

and Litigation

Compliance and Risk Management

Audit and Assurance

Investigations and Litigation

     Investigation of potential exposures and claims does not need to break the budget.

 

     Steve’s broad experience and deep expertise positions him to efficiently deliver great outcomes and actionable analysis. His practice focuses on investigation and litigation, including:

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  • Theft of trade secrets by

    • Employees

    • Competitors

    • Supply chain partners  

  • Contract and commercial claims

  • Fraud, policy violations and employee misconduct

Practice Areas
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Biography

Stephen Adams navigates tough situations and has deep

expertise in guiding tech and manufacturing companies through

a range of challenges:  trade secret protection, intellectual property

theft, investigations and litigation, legal compliance, and enterprise

risk management.    

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During his seventeen-year tenure with a leading Silicon Valley

semiconductor company, Steve used the skills developed as a

criminal prosecutor and civil litigator to help his company excel in

a complex global marketplace.  Successfully conducting and

overseeing hundreds of investigations, he established a sterling track

record protecting the company and its intellectual property, with

significant litigation wins in China, Korea, Taiwan and the

European Union, as well as multiple victories in the United States. Steve also developed investigations and forensics capabilities that have been recognized by peer organizations for their operational efficiency and creativity. 
 

Steve has worked extensively in risk assessment and

risk mitigation, both on the program and enterprise level.

His teams developed structured processes to analyze and

address the root causes that gave rise to litigation and

investigation issues, and his award-winning compliance

team was able to expand its global reach and effectiveness

with innovative applications of new technology.

 

On the enterprise front, Steve led a multi-year corporate

program to assess and strengthen his company’s intellectual

property protection posture, which developed into significant

workstreams and improvements in many areas, including

IT infrastructure; engagement practices with business partners;

worker onboarding and exit processes; employee outreach;

and strengthened trade secret protections.  

Education

J.D., Yale University

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B.A., Washington University

Experience

Steve's experience and expertise at the intersection of litigation, investigations, and risk assessment puts him in a great position to help you develop practical and effective responses to your investigation and intellectual property protection issues:

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  • In-House Head of Litigation, Investigations, Ethics and Compliance

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  • Law Firm Intellectual Property and Criminal Litigator

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  • Criminal Prosecutor

Bio
Contact
Contact
Law Office of Stephen Adams
101 Cooper Street
Santa Cruz, CA   95060
Inquiries
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