Keker & Van Nest Elevates Attorneys to Partner

SAN FRANCISCO, January 8, 2013 – Keker & Van Nest LLP is pleased to announce the elevation of Ben Berkowitz, Warren Braunig, Adam Lauridsen, and Paven Malhotra to partner.

 “Keker & Van Nest is a firm of trial attorneys with the experience, resources and passion for litigating the most difficult and high-stakes civil and criminal cases. Our newest partners exemplify these qualities. We are proud to welcome such a talented and experienced group to our partnership,” said Firm Managing Partner Steve Taylor.

Ben Berkowitz has litigated cases before state and federal trial courts throughout the United States, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. He represents Fortune 500 corporations and executives in complex intellectual property, commercial and white collar criminal cases. Recently, he served on the team which successfully defeated the government’s six-year False Claims Act case against McKesson Corporation and one of its subsidiaries.  He earned his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and his B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania. After law school Mr. Berkowitz clerked for Hon. Marjorie O. Rendell of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Warren Braunig focuses on complex commercial litigation, ranging from trade secrets and trademark cases, to consumer class actions and contract disputes. Mr. Braunig has also represented individuals under investigation or indictment by the Department of Justice. As an associate, he served on the trial team which represented Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) in one of the largest trade secrets cases in California’s history.  He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the New York University School of Law, and his B.A., cum laude, from Yale University. After law school, Mr. Braunig clerked for Hon. Kim McLane Wardlaw of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

In building his complex commercial and white collar practice, Adam Lauridsen has recently helped to defeat the state of New York’s high-stakes antitrust case against Intel, secured favorable settlements for former CEOs facing federal investigations, and handled a number of intellectual property matters for Electronic Arts. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, his M.Phil from Cambridge University, and his B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University. After law school, Mr. Lauridsen clerked for Hon. David F. Levi of the Eastern District of California, and for Hon. William W. Schwarzer of the Northern District of California.

As an associate, Paven Malhotra played an integral role on numerous high-stakes trial teams.  He worked on the notable TSMC trade secret case mentioned above, and also served on the team which represented Visa USA, Inc. in one of the largest private civil antitrust matters in U.S. history. In addition to intellectual property and antitrust matters, he also handles legal malpractice and general commercial litigation. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, and his B.A., summa cum laude, from Harvard College. After law school, Mr. Malhotra clerked for Chief Judge James Loken of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Based in San Francisco, the 80 trial and litigation attorneys of Keker & Van Nest LLP devote their practice exclusively to complex civil and criminal litigation. The attorneys’ expertise encompass a wide range of substantive areas, including intellectual property, professional liability, class actions, commercial, antitrust, securities and white collar litigation. For more information about Keker & Van Nest, its attorneys, and its services, visit www.kvn.com.