Lawrence H. Pockers represents clients nationally in complex commercial litigation with a primary focus on cases relating to the enforcement of non-competition provisions and other restrictive covenants, as well as claims involving the misappropriation of trade secrets and the violation of intellectual property rights. As part of this practice, Mr. Pockers represents both plaintiffs and defendants and has argued motions for temporary restraining orders and/or handled preliminary injunction hearings in more than 20 different federal and state courts throughout the United States.
Mr. Pockers also has significant experience handling a variety of other types of complex commercial cases, including real estate and other business disputes, securities litigation with an emphasis on disputes between customers and broker/dealers and/or registered representatives, litigation involving the licensing and implementation of software, and mass tort products liability litigation. He has tried more than 25 cases in federal, state and arbitration forums.
In 2012, Mr. Pockers was selected by the Philadelphia Business Journal as one of its "40 Under 40" honorees. The 40 Under 40 award recognizes young professionals in the Philadelphia region for outstanding success and contributions to their community. Mr. Pockers was also selected in 2011 and 2012 as a Pennsylvania "Rising Star" in the area of Business Litigation by Super Lawyers, a publication of Thomson Reuters.
Mr. Pockers is very active in the community. He currently serves as the Executive Chairman for the American Red Cross, Penn-Jersey Region's Center City Legal Initiative. He is Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross, Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region. He is also a member of the Alumni Board of his alma mater, American University. Mr. Pockers also serves on the Volunteer Committee for the Support Center for Child Advocates, and regularly handles pro bono matters for that organization. Mr. Pockers also coaches Little League baseball in Lower Merion Township.
Mr. Pockers is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He also is admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He is a 1999 magna cum laude graduate of Temple University School of Law, where he was a member of the Temple Law Review and a member of the National Trial Team, which defeated more than 200 law schools to win the 1998 Association of Trial Lawyers of America Trial Tournament. Mr. Pockers also graduated with honors from American University.
Areas of Practice
· Non-compete and trade secret litigation
· Complex business disputes
· Products liability litigation
· Securities customer complaint litigation
Representative Matters
· National counsel to Fortune 500 company specializing in office products and services for cases involving breach of non-competition and other post-employment obligations. Successfully obtained temporary restraining orders and/or preliminary injunctions against client's former sales managers and representatives in more than 15 different jurisdictions.
· Successfully defended advertising company in lawsuit brought by local newspaper seeking injunctive relief. Argued motion for temporary restraining order before Chief Judge of Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who following argument denied newspaper's motion. Case settled thereafter on terms favorable to client.
· Successfully tried 16-day arbitration hearing in dispute involving breach of distribution contracts involving "paintball" products before International Centre for Dispute Resolution. Following hearings, arbitration panel awarded firm's client nearly $16 million.
· Obtained temporary restraining order against former employees of office products and services company and the new competitor they formed prohibiting former employees and their company from competing for any customers serviced by former employees.
· Successfully argued appeal before U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in case involving alleged breach by trustee of fiduciary duties, after obtaining dismissal of case by District Court. District Court's Order dismissing case was affirmed on appeal.
· Obtained temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against former employee of online advertiser preventing employee from working for competitor in competitive job function.
· National counsel to dietary supplement marketer in U.S. product liability litigation. Represented client in litigation pending in more than 40 jurisdictions across the country, including in Multi-District Litigation in the Southern District of New York.
· Successfully represented local broker in arbitration case brought by broker's former customer alleging breach of fiduciary duties and fraud. Prior to arbitration hearing, negotiated "take nothing" settlement after obtaining sanctions against attorney for claimants' counsel for discovery abuses.
· Regularly counsel corporate clients on matters involving enforcement, and defending against the enforcement of, agreements containing non-competition, non-solicitation of customers, non-solicitation of employees and/or non-disclosure of trade secrets covenants.
· Tried more than 25 cases in federal, state and arbitration forums in cases involving claims brought for personal injuries, breach of commercial contracts and enforcement of post-employment obligations.
Professional Activities
· Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
· Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
Experience
· Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2008-present
- Associate, 1999-2007
Civic and Charitable Activities
· Executive Chairman, Center City Legal Initiative for American Red Cross, Penn-Jersey Region
· Member, Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Penn-Jersey Region
· Member, American University Alumni Board
· Member, Volunteer Committee, Support Center for Child Advocates
Honors and Awards
· Pennsylvania Rising Star, 2011-2012