Kent B. Goss

Partner

Overview

A first chair trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience, Kent Goss focuses his practice on intellectual property matters, technology litigation, and large complex commercial litigation matters. Clients come to Kent for their most important matters – “bet the company” disputes and where the stakes can be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. With a deep understanding of the legal and business aspects of intellectual property law, Kent is committed to providing comprehensive and effective legal solutions to a wide range of clients.

Kent has extensive experience in all aspects of intellectual property litigation matters, including trademark infringement, copyright infringement, trade secrets, defamation, licensing and right of publicity claims. He has represented clients in a variety of industries, such as technology, aerospace and defense, food and beverage, and semiconductor. Kent has both obtained and defeated requests for temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and seizure orders under the Trademark Act. A skilled trial lawyer, he has tried cases to verdict in most of these areas.

In the technology space, Kent currently represents a major aerospace company in a dispute with a former supplier over avionics systems in aircraft, which involves both hardware and software design issues. Kent has recently represented a vendor/partner of a major social media platform in a dispute over the client’s suspension from the platform due to the social media platform’s automation rules. At the end of 2022, Kent had two trials in the Middle District of Pennsylvania on behalf of an airplane engine manufacturer who was facing trademark infringement claims over the co-extensive use of part numbers.

Kent’s practice spans the commercial area and includes the prosecution and defense of contract and real property matters, limited liability company/shareholder disputes, fiduciary duty claims, terminations of distributors and sales representatives, class actions, and acting as outside counsel in government investigations.

Kent’s practice is nationwide and he has litigated and tried cases in many jurisdictions outside of California. A trusted advisor who can speak to a jury, Kent serves as lead counsel and works with his network of local counsel who play an important role in all cases. He tries cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants, and his clients include Fortune 100 and 500 companies, media companies, equity funds, consumer electronics companies, professional athletes, actors, entertainment companies, toy companies, clothing companies and department stores, start-up companies, technology-based companies, manufacturing concerns and homeowners' associations. In addition to his legal expertise, Kent brings a creative and forward-thinking approach to client service. He works closely with clients to develop and implement IP strategies that align with their business goals and objectives, while delivering cost-effective solutions.

Kent is co-chair of Crowell’s Commercial Litigation Group and a member of the firm’s Strategic Growth Committee. He has appeared on HBO Real Sports and has been quoted in major newspapers and magazines on intellectual property matters, including the Boston Globe and National Law Journal.

Career & Education

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    • Occidental College, B.A., cum laude, economics, 1983
    • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., 1987
    • Occidental College, B.A., cum laude, economics, 1983
    • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., 1987
    • California
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
    • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
    • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
    • California
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
    • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
    • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • Memberships

    • State Bar of California
    • American Bar Association
    • United States Trademark Association

    Memberships

    • State Bar of California
    • American Bar Association
    • United States Trademark Association
… Goss is thorough with his case analysis and provides practical recommendations.

Chambers, 2022

Representative Matters

  • A car audio manufacturer in a patent infringement case.  
  • A start-up in an action against a social media company related to the client’s suspension from the platform based upon the client’s use of unique technology on the platform. On the eve of trial, the matter settled favorably for the client.
  • A major sports league in a trademark infringement action in the District of Columbia. The matter settled favorably for the client.
  •  A major beverage maker in an action for trademark infringement. After a multi-week jury trial, the Plaintiff received a fraction of the amount requested.
  • The corporate owner of an elite boat racing team in an arbitration who was facing claims for fraud, concealment and breach of contract. The arbitrator found in our client’s favor on liability and the client was awarded attorneys’ fees.
  • A major television distributor as the plaintiff in an arbitration against a leading global media and entertainment company. At issue in the arbitration was his client’s indemnity rights under an Affiliation Agreement. The arbitrator found in favor of our client on the issue of liability. Our client recovered damages in the eight figures.
  • A major aerospace company in an ongoing trade secrets case against a former supplier of avionics systems for aircraft. The Plaintiffs seek in excess of $100 million.
  • A major aviation finance company in multiple jurisdictions against a private jet charter company in cases relating to the sale of a fleet of aircraft. After having his client dismissed from the case, the matter settled favorably.
  • The owner of the largest library of still and interactive automotive images in a copyright infringement action against a global media company. The global media company faces damages in excess of $100 million for infringement.
  • A major aircraft engine manufacturer in a trademark infringement case against its former supplier where the ability to obtain a trademark for a model designation is at issue.
  • A former executive at an investment advisory firm in a trade secrets case against his former employer in multiple jurisdictions. We obtained the reversal of a preliminary injunction in a published opinion. The matter was settled favorably for the client.
  • A major television services company in a multiweek jury trial against a leading global media and entertainment company. The media company was seeking in excess of $100 million in damages. After the first week of trial, the case was resolved favorably for the client.
  • A leading ad placement and search engine optimization company in a five-week jury trial in the Central District of California. After winning summary judgment on the copyright, trade dress, and counterfeit claims, we successfully convinced a jury that the client's use of a competitor's trademark in keyword advertising was not trademark infringement, staving off a demand for damages in excess of $20 million.
  • A leading Japanese manufacturer and distributor of golf and outdoor products in a four-week jury trial in the Northern District of Texas where the plaintiff was seeking in excess of $30 million. We obtained a complete defense verdict on claims for unfair business practices and breach of contract, and the client was awarded monetary damages on its counterclaim.
  • A local land developer as plaintiff against a Fortune 500 conglomerate in a two-week bench trial in which our client was awarded a multimillion-dollar piece of land in an action for specific performance. After establishing all elements of fraud against the defendant, the matter settled prior to jury selection.
  • A group of shareholders of an environmental start-up company as plaintiff in a multiweek arbitration. After weeks of testimony, the defendants adjourned the arbitration in order to discuss settlement which resulted in an eight-figure settlement and a license to the defendants' technology.
  • A leading Japanese electronics manufacturer as plaintiff in a trademark infringement case in arbitration. After several days of testimony, the defendant adjourned the arbitration to discuss settlement which resulted in a substantial settlement, including payment of the client's attorneys' fees.
  • National Football League quarterback Tom Brady for violations of his right of publicity resulting in multiple settlements before an answer was filed.
  • A television actress in defending claims for defamation which resulted in a judgment in her favor.
  • A "founding father" of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Royce Gracie, in a dispute between fight promoters.
  • A heavyweight title contender in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in an action against his manager and promoter.
  • A prominent group of local real estate developers and franchisees in an action against a publicly traded REIT for breach of contract, specific performance, fraud, and interference with contract. On the eve of trial, the matter was settled favorably for the clients.

Recognition

  • Los Angeles Business Journal: Most Influential Intellectual Property Attorneys, 2017
  • World Trademark Review 1000: Leading Trademark Professionals, 2013-2020
  • Super Lawyers: 2004-2011, 2014-2016
  • Letter of Commendation for Academic Excellence
  • Occidental Forensic Union
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