In 2012, tech reigned supreme.
From blockbuster trials over mobile devices to record-setting deals for Internet companies, lawyers' work in tech made national headlines, enriched their clients and helped secure their places as The Recorder's 2012 Attorneys of the Year. Recorder editors reviewed nearly 200 nominations for its fourth annual contest and is recognizing 20 for work on 16 matters.
We considered only California lawyers litigating cases in California courts or handling deals for California-based clients.
Our winners did battle in courtrooms in high-stakes, high-stress matters, making new law and going up against formidable opponents. For many of the honorees, one blockbuster matter was hardly the only thing on their plates. They juggled a number of challenging matters at once, testing their skills in new ways.
"Many of our honorees had to master complex technical issues to best represent their clients at trial, or in a transaction," said Greg Mitchell, The Recorder's editor-in-chief. "And all of our honorees overcame significant obstacles to deliver the desired results."
Included in the list was Robert Van Nest of Keker & Van Nest, who led a team defending Google against Oracle's $6 billion copyright and patent claims over technology in the Android operating system. After a six-week trial against formidable opponents, Van Nest's client was on the hook for precisely $0.
Image: Jason Doiy/The Recorder