When a company or its leaders are at risk, founding partner Daniel J. Bergeson uses his substantial litigation and trial experience to advocate for their rights and reputations in lawsuits involving securities, intellectual property, employment, private equity and venture capital, and commercial law. He focuses on the essential facts to persuade juries, judges, and triers of cases in state and federal courts and arbitration forums in Silicon Valley, Delaware, New York, and other dispute resolution venues nationwide.
Daniel brings more than 40 years of business trial experience to bear in the most contentious and prominent business litigation disputes and investigations. His clients have ranged from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups facing bet-the-company threats. In addition, he has protected the rights of several Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and executives in state and federal courts throughout the nation as well as in state and federal regulatory and investigative matters.
Practice Areas
Securities Litigation
Intellectual Property Litigation
Business Litigation
Investigations & White Collar Defense
Venture Capital & Private Equity
Education
Stanford University Graduate School of Business – EPGC (2012);
University of Michigan (J.D., 1982);
The Honors College at Michigan State University (B.A., 1978, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
Professional Involvement
Association of Business Trial Lawyers Northern California Chapter – President of Board of Governors, 2019; Co-Chair of 2015 Annual Seminar; Co-Chair of Programs Committee, 2013-14.
American Bar Foundation – Fellow.
Litigation Counsel of America Trial Lawyer Honor Society – Fellow.
National Institute for Trial Advocacy – Faculty Member for Deposition and Trial Advocacy Programs.
U.S. District Court, Northern District of California – Mediation Panel Member, 1998-present.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District – Alternative Dispute Resolution Program Member.
Northern District Court Historical Society – Board of Directors.
Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society – Advisory Counsel.
Ascolta Ventures, LLC – Co-Founder.
ASI Capital, LLC – Co-Founder.
DOOR – Board of Advisors.
University of Michigan Law – Development and Alumni Relations Committee Member.
Clerkships
Law Clerk to Hon. Samuel Conti, U.S. District Court Judge, Northern District of California, 1983-1984
Bar Admissions
California;
District of Columbia;
Michigan;
New York;
Utah;
United States District Court, Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern Districts of California, Southern District of New York, and Utah;
United States Court of Appeal, Ninth Circuit;
United States Supreme Court