Tech Litigation Department of the Year Finalist: Q&A with Fenwick’s Jed Wakefield

In recognition of Fenwick being named a Tech Litigation Department of the Year finalist in The Recorder’s California Leaders in Tech Law and Innovation Awards, the publication talked to Fenwick’s litigation practice chair Jed Wakefield about what sets Fenwick’s litigation group apart.

Wakefield told The Recorder that Fenwick’s litigators stand out in three key areas: “First, we are uniquely focused on the needs of technology and life sciences companies, and that focus shapes our approach to litigating and winning cases.”

“Second, our approach is scalable. We handle cases for companies ranging from early-stage startups to Fortune 50 companies. As a result, we have no standard playbook or one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, our approach is nimble, and we can adapt as quickly as the fast-moving clients we represent."

“Third, we’re trial lawyers first and foremost. Most cases settle, but we approach each case as if it will go to trial. This focus on the end-game helps us limit discovery and motions to get what we need to win,” he noted.

Wakefield also emphasized the client benefits of Fenwick’s collaborative culture, which “not only helps us attract and retain top talent, but also gives our litigation clients the benefit of insights and expertise from attorneys across the firm in diverse legal and industry practice areas.”

He also discussed how litigation is changing and how Fenwick is adapting: “Our clients reshape industries and introduce new business models, and a litigation challenge that threatens to halt that progress can be existential,” he told The Recorder. “As a result, we’ve made investments to increase our bench strength in key strategic areas. At the same time, we’ve developed a dedicated pricing and product development team to help provide our clients with transparent and predictable budgets.”

Wakefield’s full interview is available on The Recorder (subscription required).​​​​​​