Victor Chiu is a trial-tested commercial litigator who is frequently called on to help clients navigate novel legal issues at the intersection of intellectual property, software development, and advanced hardware systems. His practice centers on high-stakes copyright, contract, unfair competition, and technology-related litigation.
Victor has substantial experience litigating technology-driven cases through trial, arbitration, and appeal. He has played key roles in matters involving electronic design automation software, integrated-circuit design and verification, and generative AI training systems. He is adept at translating highly technical concepts into clear, persuasive arguments for judges, juries, and arbitrators.
Victor is part of a team representing OpenAI in a series of landmark copyright cases that will define the contours of fair use in the context of generative artificial intelligence. He defended electronic design automation company Real Intent in a San Jose federal jury trial against copyright and contract claims brought by Synopsys relating to integrated circuit design software, and secured a sweeping fair use victory on the copyright claims at summary judgment. He also represents game developer AviaGames in numerous civil actions involving copyright, unfair competition, and false advertising claims. Victor has also successfully represented technology clients in complex arbitrations arising out of sophisticated semiconductor licensing agreements.
Victor’s pro bono work includes obtaining the vacatur of a murder conviction and securing his client’s release following decades of incarceration.
Prior to joining Keker, Van Nest & Peters, Victor served as a judicial law clerk to Judge Patty Shwartz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and to Judge Wendy Beetlestone of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He formerly was a litigation associate for a large San Francisco firm where he litigated cases in both state and federal court. Victor earned his J.D. from Yale Law School and his B.A. summa cum laude in English and Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Cases of Note
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OpenAI Copyright Cases
OpenAI tapped Keker as lead trial counsel in a series of copyright lawsuits that will establish the boundaries of copyright fair use as applied to generative AI. The cases include…
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Synopsys, Inc. v. Real Intent, Inc.
We defended EDA company Real Intent at trial in San Jose federal court against Synopsys’s copyright infringement claims related to the design and verification of integrated circuits. Synopsys also alleged…
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AviaGames Cases
We are representing game developer AviaGames in numerous civil actions against competitors and consumers involving copyright, patents, unfair competition, and false advertising claims. We have served as lead counsel to…
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Semiconductor Company v. Supplier
Following multi-stage arbitration proceedings between our client, one of the world’s largest technology companies, and a company that had licensed certain technology to it through a complex licensing agreement, we…
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Mickelson et al. v. PGA TOUR
We represented the PGA TOUR in an antitrust lawsuit filed by 11 professional golfers who left the PGA TOUR and joined LIV Golf. We defeated plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary…
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People of the State of California v. Prisoner
Our client was sentenced to death at age 25 for his participation in a robbery in which his co-defendant unexpectedly shot and killed the victim. After a two-day trial in…
News & Events
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Best Lawyers Names 2027 Top Attorneys and Ones to Watch
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 20 Keker attorneys in its 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Fourteen Keker lawyers were selected as Best L…
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Keker, Van Nest & Peters Promotes New Partners and Of Counsel
Keker, Van Nest & Peters is pleased to announce the promotions of Victor Chiu, Deeva Shah, and Christine Zaleski to partner and Niall Frizzell and Candice Nguyen to of counsel, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
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Keker Joins ABA in Celebrating Pro Bono Work
At Keker, Van Nest & Peters, pro bono work is an integral part of our firm. From challenging illegal mass deportation tactics, to pushing for criminal justice reform, to fighting for the rights of individuals a…
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Best Lawyers Issues 2026 Edition of Top Attorneys; Elliot Peters Honored as Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers Issues 2026 Edition of Top Attorneys; Elliot Peters Honored as Lawyer of the Year
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Keker, Van Nest & Peters Win for Real Intent Included Among California’s Top Verdicts
The Daily Journal has named Keker, Van Nest & Peters’s trial win for Real Intent among the 2024 Top Verdicts in California.
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Law360 Trials Group Of The Year: Keker, Van Nest & Peters
Keker, Van Nest & Peters partners Bob Van Nest, Sharif Jacob, Sophie Hood and Ryan Wong reflect on the firm’s biggest trial wins which earned its place among Law360’s 2024 Trials Groups of the Year.
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Keker, Van Nest & Peters Secures Release of Client Demetrius Howard After 30 Years in Prison
Law firm Keker, Van Nest & Peters is delighted to announce that pro bono client Demetrius Howard is home for the holidays after being released last week from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabil…
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Keker, Van Nest & Peters Secures Defense Win for Real Intent
A Keker trial team, led by Bob Van Nest, successfully defended Real Intent, Inc. in a San Jose federal court, achieving a favorable outcome in a complex breach of contract case. After securing a decisive copyri…
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Pro Bono Showcase: Keker Pursues Justice with Felony Murder Resentencing Project
In celebration of National Pro Bono Week, we highlight the firm’s Felony Murder Resentencing Project, which has helped at least six incarcerated individuals overturn their life sentences.
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KVP Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
The 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America featured 25 KVP attorneys.
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