Keith Gillette brings a unique perspective to the practice of law. As a degreed engineer with substantial experience in the field of Marine (mechanical) Engineering, he brings a critical eye to the technical aspects of a legal problem, whether a lawsuit or transaction.
Keith’s practice encompasses trial work in the areas of admiralty, intellectual property, and large-exposure tort litigation.
Keith is a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering in June 1987. His admiralty practice involves defense of shipowners’ and terminal operators’ interests in Jones Act/bodily injury suits, property loss, and related maritime torts. His published opinions include Sherfy v. Barge Marin Horizon (1999), 76 F. Supp. 2nd 1054 andSanko Steamship Co., LTD v. United States (1999) 2000 AMC 83.
Prior to the practice of law, Keith spent over a decade in the maritime industry, working at sea as an engineering officer aboard a variety of US-flagged vessels. His engineering experience also includes work in shipyards, involving both new construction and vessel refit/overhaul.
Keith holds an LL.M. in Intellectual Property from the University of Santa Clara. His intellectual property practice encompasses both registration/licensing and infringement litigation of copyrights and trademarks, and assisting patent holders with licensing, asset valuation, and patent licensing transactions. As part of the firm’s trial group, Keith has handled a variety of large-exposure matters involving bodily injury and property damage. His authored articles include Developments in California’s Consumer Privacy Laws (2005), Defining the “Secret”: Keys to Litigating Trade Secret Actions (2006), and, Equitable and Statutory Defenses to Patent Infringement Claims (2008).