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Robert Becher's practice focuses on representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes business litigation and arbitration matters.  In the intellectual property field, he has handled trade secret and patent disputes involving a range of technologies such as semiconductors and rocket engines.  He also has significant experience litigating antitrust and RICO actions, complex business disputes, cases involving business torts and contract actions.  Mr. Becher  has developed a unique specialty representing aerospace companies in disputes regarding satellites and space technology and has served as counsel for many of the nation's preeminent aerospace companies and providers of satellite entertainment.
 

Mr. Becher is also experienced in the arbitration field.  He has represented clients in international arbitrations and has handled complex arbitrations before JAMS, AAA, NASD and other arbitral bodies.  He has served as lead counsel during multiple arbitrations.  He regularly keeps abreast of developments in the arbitration field and is an editor of the Firm's One Minute Arbitration News. 

In patent and antitrust actions, Mr. Becher represents Micron Technology, Inc. and Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc., both providers of advanced semiconductor solutions.

In matters involving aerospace, satellites and space technology, Mr. Becher has represented Northrop Grumman Corporation, TRW Inc., XM Satellite Radio Inc., DIRECTV and Loral Space & Communications Ltd. 

Other representative clients include Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., Platinum Equity, LLC and Onyx Environmental Services.  

Obtained summary judgment in federal court on behalf of a major aerospace company faced with a $133 million claim for negligence, negligent misrepresentation and fraud related to the alleged manufacture of defective solar arrays for nine commercial satellites.  Another defendant in this case paid over $20 million dollars to settle.  Subsequently obtained a complete affirmance of this decision before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Represented two German nationals who moved to Santa Barbara and sued media giant Bertelsmann AG and its former CEO.  While working for Bertelsmann, these former executives had been the driving force behind the creation and development of AOL Europe, a joint venture between Bertelsmann and AOL.  When Bertelsmann sold its interest in AOL Europe for $6.75 billion, it refused to compensate plaintiffs.  They asserted claims for breach of contract and breach of partnership agreement, among others.  We obtained a $295 million verdict.  It was the seventh largest jury verdict in the nation that year.

Won a defense arbitration award after a week-long AAA arbitration involving the alleged breach of a contract to purchase application specific integrated circuits.

Obtained a sweeping temporary restraining order on behalf of a financial services company on the grounds that a departing employee had misappropriated trade secrets and violated the non-solicitation provision in his contract.  The defendant subsequently agreed to the entry of a stipulated injunction.

Currently representing Micron Technology, Inc. and Micron Semiconductor Products, Inc. in a series of patent and antitrust lawsuits related to DRAM technology.

Obtained an extremely favorable settlement on behalf of defendants in a shareholder's derivative lawsuit brought by the holder of one of the first direct broadcast satellite permits.

Won a verdict in favor of a major Hollywood non-profit foundation after a bench trial on claims for inducing breach of contract and inducing trespass.  Successfully defended the verdict on appeal to the California Court of Appeal.
 

Represented Northrop Grumman in a trade secret case related to a proprietary rocket engine technology and defended against a related antitrust lawsuit in which the plaintiff alleged that Northrop Grumman monopolized the market for launch vehicles for space.

Successfully defended a major broadcaster of satellite television against a $12 million dollar claim for breach of contract based upon the cancellation of a contract for the production of promotional spots.