

Jennifer S. Maybee is counsel in the Litigation Department. She has substantial experience in a wide range of complex commercial disputes including trade secrets and other intellectual property, unfair business practices, breach of contract, fiduciary obligations, fraud and other business torts, cybercrime statutes, partnership and corporate governance, real estate, accounting, consumer protection, employment law, and professional liability. She has represented plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts at the trial and appellate level, as well as in arbitration and in international disputes. Jennifer is also a certified mediator and has experience advising individuals and businesses on compliance, liability, and confidentiality issues as well as creating training programs on legal issues.
Jennifer has worked within a variety of industries, including software, gaming, and internet applications, biotech, banking, accounting, investment funds, real estate, aviation, fitness, wine and spirits, non-profits, education, and the arts.
In addition to representing clients in disputes, Jennifer has frequently advised clients on ways to minimize litigation risk and exposure while navigating business departures and other challenging scenarios. Her creative approach to problem-solving assists clients so they can put their focus back on their business opportunities. Jennifer has a talent for quickly understanding the client’s business and technology, effectively communicating her clients’ stories, and helping witnesses prepare effectively so that they can confidently and best represent their interests.
Experience
Prior to joining Willkie, Jennifer was previously counsel at another major law firm.
Jennifer is active in the arts and is a voting member of The Recording Academy (GRAMMYs).
Jennifer has advised on the following significant matters:*
- Neutron Depot, LLC v. Bankrate, Inc. (5th Cir.). Represented Bankrate in securing a victory on issues relating to Lanham Act statutory standing and damages.
- SunPower v. Standard Industries, et al. (Santa Clara Sup. Ct.). Represented former SunPower executive in litigation asserting, inter alia, trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, and breach of the duty of loyalty.
- Incyte Corp. v. Flexus Biosciences, Inc., et al. (Del. Super.). Represented founders of Flexus Biosciences in a successful defense of trade secret misappropriation claim in which the plaintiff claimed up to $2.5 billion in damages.
- Shum v. Intel Corporation, et al. (N.D. Cal.). Represented a Fortune 100 technology company and an inventor in litigation centering on claims of patent inventorship, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty in which the plaintiff sought $400 million in damages. Judgment as a matter of law granted in the trial court and affirmed by the Federal Circuit.
- AMC Technology, LLC v. Cisco Systems, Inc. (N.D. Cal.). Represented the plaintiff in breach of contract dispute; matter satisfactorily resolved following multi-day pretrial conference and motion hearing.
- Knowles Electronics, LLC v. Getz, et al. (Ill. 18th Jud. Cir.). Represented the defendant in trade secret misappropriation matters; matter resolved to parties’ satisfaction.
- Wailea Partners, LP v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (Cal. Super.). Represented the defendant in action seeking rescission of synthetic investment in Madoff feeder fund; case dismissed following filing of demurrer to complaint.
- Bondi v. Grant Thornton Intl, et al. (S.D.N.Y.). Represented Dr. Enrico Bondi, Extraordinary Commissioner of Parmalat S.p.A. in a lawsuit arising out of the largest bankruptcy in European history, resulting in a $149 million settlement with Deloitte & Touche.
- Provided advice on a wide variety of matters to Maddie’s Fund, a foundation that has awarded more than $187.8 million in grants toward increased community lifesaving, shelter medicine, education, and pet adoptions across the United States.
- Represented founder and internet advertising technology company in federal court against the founder’s former employer in a trade secrets dispute which also involved interference claims under the Lanham Act, unfair and deceptive trade practices statues, the CFAA (Computer Fraud & Abuse Act), federal and state wiretap statues, and common business tort law.
- Represented private aviation company in breach of contract dispute regarding aircraft management and maintenance services.
- Represented group of EB-5 investors to investigate the performance of the project and advise them on litigation potential and risks as well as strategies for moving forward to maximize their investment.
- Represented San Francisco homeowners in Presidio Heights HOA dispute in arbitration involving multiple construction and HOA experts.
- Represented construction company in a petition for writ of mandate in California appellate court involving a question of the trial court’s interpretation of the contractors’ state license law.
- Represented biotech company in FINRA arbitration seeking to recover for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty for investment management services.
- Represented corporate law firm in professional malpractice claim associated with a highly public international technology transaction.
- Represented law firm in complex, multi-party malpractice litigation centering around a real estate development involved in several lawsuits with issues of real estate disclosures, local land use ordinance compliance and zoning, and HOA disputes.
- Represented trust in estate proceedings in asserting breach of fiduciary duty, professional negligence, elder financial abuse, and breach of contract arising out of real estate and financial investment vehicles.
- Represented consumer plaintiffs in a class action involving violation of the California Education Code and Consumers Legal Remedies Act.
- Represented party in San Francisco residential real estate dispute involving claims of disclosure misrepresentations, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, and indemnification.
- Represented international gaming company in responding to claims of copyright and trademark infringement.
- Represented spirits company in an intellectual property and ownership dispute including patent, copyright, trademark, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
- Represented multiple executives, partners, and employees exiting their companies in navigating contractual obligations, including non-solicitation, non-compete, and confidential/proprietary information clauses, and issues with maximizing their ability to capture economic potential in the course of transitioning to a new opportunity.
- Represented multiple companies and individuals advising on internal crisis management, including whistleblowing scenarios and investigations into discrimination and harassment allegations.
- Advised multiple clients and attorneys in trans-national disputes on best practices for cross-border discovery.
- Advised multiple attorneys on ethics and professional responsibility issues.
- Advised multiple clients and attorneys on pre-litigation dispute mitigation, including responding to government investigation and subpoenas and procedural and strategic alternatives to litigation.
- Handled family law and conservatorship matter as a mediator and litigator.
- Authored and designed interactive online trainings on employment law, child abuse reporting law, and school safety issues, including bullying, internet safety, sexual predators and teen safety. Has also advised corporate human resources clients on employment law compliance questions.
*Jennifer advised on these matters prior to joining Willkie.
Credentials
Education
University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, J.D., 2005 California State University, Bakersfield, B.A. (summa cum laude), 2001
Court Admissions
United States District Court, Northern District of California United States District Court, Eastern District of California