Crowell & Moring has successfully defended Carta, Inc., a San Francisco-based technology company, in a fiercely contested trade secret and patent case in a California federal court. AllRounds, the opposing party, originally sought billions in damages from Carta, but then accepted a walk-away settlement after the court struck more than half its patent case and in the face of summary judgment.
The win entirely vindicates Carta’s position and is a significant victory for the decade-old startup last valued at $7.4 billion in its first major court challenge.
“This case is a complete victory for Carta,” said Gabriel Ramsey, who led Crowell’s legal team. AllRounds alleged it was entitled to most of the value of Carta, an ownership and equity management platform. But, after more than a year of intense litigation, dismissed its case without any payment or admission. “Carta has been a spectacular partner, truly committed to working alongside the Crowell & Moring team to vigorously defend these kinds of claims.”
“The company is pleased and, of course, grateful to the Crowell team for securing this fair and just result,” said April Lindauer, general counsel of Carta. “Crowell’s IP litigation team is incredibly talented, combining in-court skills with strategic and very practical thinking.”
Beyond Ramsey, the Crowell team included Mark Klapow, Kathryn Clune, William Frankel, Vincent Galluzzo, Kent Genin, Molly Jones, Laura Schwartz, Katie Lee, Alexis White, Emma Cunningham, Ryan Fitzgerald, Andrew Spitzer and Risa Rahman.
Kirkland & Ellis acted as opposing counsel.
About Crowell & Moring LLP
Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia. Drawing on significant government, business, industry and legal experience, the firm helps clients capitalize on opportunities and provides creative solutions to complex litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, and corporate and transactional issues. The firm is consistently recognized for its commitment to pro bono service and its programs and initiatives to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.
