High Tech Business Law

Cohen Mohr specializes in representing high-technology hardware and service companies in federal procurement and employment matters, including related civil and criminal litigation. Over the twenty years since the firm was established, Cohen Mohr has represented a wide range of ADP and high-technology companies. These businesses include: remote computing service companies; hardware manufacturers; software manufacturers; instrumentation vendors; microfiche and document processing equipment manufacturers; custom software houses; peripheral equipment manufacturers; systems integrators; telecommunication equipment companies; telecommunication carriers; hardware and software distributors; value-added resellers and retailers.

Litigation

With years of experience litigating cases in federal and state courts and in administrative hearings, in the Washington metropolitan area and throughout the United States, Cohen Mohr’s litigation team has the ability and experience to achieve results for its clients. We represent both individuals and businesses in trials before judges and juries, appeals, arbitrations, mediations and administrative proceedings.

We regularly litigate matters covering a wide spectrum of business issues, including:

• Commercial disputes involving breach of contract, unfair trade practices, breach of warranties, enforcement of security agreements and other Uniform Commercial Code issues and debt collection
• Employment disputes involving unlawful discrimination, harassment, compensation and benefits issues, unlawful termination, breach of confidentiality obligations and non-competition agreements (non-competes)
• Intellectual property disputes involving trade secrets, patents, copyrights, trademarks and licenses
• Wrongful business practices (business torts) involving tortious interference with prospective or existing contracts, breach of fiduciary duty, business conspiracy, fraud and defamation
• Government contracts disputes involving bid protests, claims, suspension and debarment, civil and criminal fraud and size appeals
• Challenges to unlawful or arbitrary government regulations and regulatory decisions
• Business organization disputes involving stockholders (shareholders), members, directors, partners and investors
• Securities disputes involving broker-dealers.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

In an era of increasingly complex employment and other workplace relationships, clients depend on Cohen Mohr LLP for assistance in preventing employment claims from occurring, and for effective legal advocacy and representation where disputes do arise. The firm’s Employment Law Practice offers clients seasoned legal counsel to help:

• structure employment and consulting relationships
• implement workplace practices to avoid employment claims
• lawfully terminate employees
• implement reductions in force
• protect trade secrets and business proprietary information
• prevent unfair competition by former employees or business principals
• litigate employment disputes and discrimination claims

Employment and partnership arrangements in the technology sector are particularly complicated because they affect the control of valuable intellectual property and trade secrets. In establishing executive incentives, drafting employment agreements, structuring collaborative partnerships, or terminating employees, the protection of proprietary information is imperative. The best way to prevent litigation is to make sure that every employment agreement and every partnering arrangement is well conceived, defensible, and thorough in protecting the client's competitive intellectual property and know-how.

GSA SCHEDULES

Cohen Mohr has particular experience in advising commercial suppliers, manufacturers, vendors, dealers and distributors in the complex area of GSA Schedules. As clients increasingly must address GSA requirements as a condition for purchasing or leasing commercial goods, licensing software, or ordering services, Cohen Mohr has become well-known for its in-depth knowledge and experience in the area of GSA schedules.

The Information Technology (IT) goods requiring GSA Schedules include hardware, peripherals and network devices. Software such as mainframe, personal computer (PC), utility programs and applications are also subject to GSA requirements. Services impacted by GSA requirements include programming, system design, disaster recovery, Internet, web, and e-commerce services and solutions. Telecommunications products such as facsimile machines, telephones, and switches are also subject to GSA Schedule requirements, as are a wide range of office equipment, including copiers. Video equipment, public relations, media services, and video production are also available on GSA Schedule.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Cohen Mohr has particular experience in advising federal agencies, commercial suppliers, manufacturers, vendors, dealers and distributors in the area of Government Contracts.

Cohen Mohr represents a wide variety of companies selling to the state, local and federal government, including construction contractors and subcontractors, consultants, furniture manufacturers, leasing companies, hardware and software companies, telecommunications providers, gas mask manufacturers, training companies, audiovisual companies, engineering firms and office equipment manufacturers and dealers.

In the course of our representation, Cohen Mohr has appeared before the Government Accountability Office; Boards of Contract Appeal; the Claims Court; District Courts; and Circuit Courts of Appeals. These cases have involved numerous civilian and defense agencies. In addition, we have also represented clients marketing to the legislative as well as the executive branch of government.