Clients turn to Adam Powell to handle their most technically complex issues in the medical device, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries. He is the co-chair of Knobbe Martens’ Antitrust group and was recently recognized by the Daily Journal as one of only 25 lawyers in its “Top Trade Secrets Lawyers” publication.
In one of his most successful cases, Adam represented Masimo Corporation in a three-week patent trial against Philips. The jury awarded $466 million to Masimo and rejected Philips’ infringement claims seeking $169 million. That verdict was featured in The National Law Journal as the Number one IP and Number five overall verdict of the year. Post trial, Adam was responsible for defending against Philips’ antitrust counterclaims alleging patent misuse, monopolization, and tying. The litigation eventually settled with Philips paying Masimo $300 million and agreeing to a multi-year joint marketing and sales program in which Philips would integrate Masimo technologies in its patient monitors.
Adam also has a proven record of successfully resolving complex trade secret cases. In connection with those cases, Adam has managed dozens of computer forensic investigations of former employees alleged to have stolen trade secrets from their employer. In one trial, he and the Knobbe team proved two former employees downloaded and took thousands of computer files to their new employer. The Court found the employees engaged in “despicable conduct,” justifying an award of punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and a permanent injunction. In another case, he proved the defendant engaged in extensive spoliation of evidence, resulting in a terminating sanction, compensatory damages, attorney’s fees, and a permanent injunction.
Adam is an active member of the legal community. He serves as the Treasurer of the San Diego Intellectual Property Law Association. He is also an active member of the J. Clifford Wallace Inn of Court and regularly speaks at events for the Association of Corporate Counsel. Previously, Adam served on the Board of Governors for the San Diego Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers for several years.
University of California – Hastings – School of Law, J.D., Thurston Society, Hastings Law Journal, Hastings Moot Court
University of California – Santa Barbara (UCSB), B.S., Chemical Engineering
State Bar of California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court – Central District of California
U.S. District Court – Northern District of California
U.S. District Court – Southern District of California
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Biotech
Aesthetic & Cosmetic Biotechnology
Diagnostic Tools
Personalized Medicine
Chemical, Industrial & Materials
Building Construction
Building Products & Materials
Chemical Engineering
Communications Technology
Cellular Networking & Communications
Radio
Wireless Local Area Networks
Consumer Products & Services
Electrical, Semiconductor & Computer Technology
Electronics & Semiconductors
Healthcare Information Technology
Software & IT
Energy
Clean Technology
Solar Power
Medical Devices & Procedures
Biocompatible Polymers & Coatings
Cardiovascular
Diagnostics
Infusion Pumps
Medical Informatics & Software Systems
Vital Signs, Physiologic, & Hemodynamic Monitoring
Pharmaceuticals
Biosimilars
Diagnostic Tools
Personalized Medicine
Advertising, Media & Entertainment Practice
Antitrust & Competition
Appellate Litigation
Audits
Copyright
Copyright Litigation
Copyright Litigation
Covered Business Method (CBM)
Due Diligence
False & Comparative Advertising
False & Comparative Advertising Litigation
False Advertising Litigation
Hatch-Waxman Litigation
Inter Partes Review (IPR)
International Trade Commission (ITC) Disputes
IP Strategy
IP Transactions, Agreements & Venture Capital
Litigation
Patent Litigation
Patent Strategy & Prosecution
Patent Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) Trials (Post Grant)
Post-Grant Review (PGR)
Trade Secret
Trade Secret & Employee Mobility Litigation
Trade Secret & Employee Mobility Litigation
Trade Secret Protection Advice & Counseling
Trademark & Brand Protection
Trademark Litigation & Unfair Competition
Trademark Litigation & Unfair Competition
Unfair Competition Litigation
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Named to Daily Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” 2024 list
- Named among 2024 Leaders of Influence in Law by San Diego Business Journal
- Named to Benchmark Litigation “40 & Under” List (2024 – 2025)
- Named to the Daily Journal‘s “Top Trade Secrets Lawyers” 2023 list
- Named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch guide, which “recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice” for Antitrust Law (2022 – 2025)
