Lawrence H. Pockers represents clients nationally in complex commercial litigation with a primary focus on cases relating to the enforcement of non-competition provisions and other restrictive covenants, as well as claims involving the misappropriation of trade secrets and the violation of intellectual property rights. As part of this practice, Mr. Pockers represents both plaintiffs and defendants and has argued motions for temporary restraining orders and/or handled preliminary injunction hearings in more than 20 different federal and state courts throughout the United States..

Mr. Pockers also has significant experience handling securities litigation with an emphasis on disputes between customers and broker/dealers and/or registered representatives, litigation involving the licensing and implementation of software, and "mass tort" products liability litigation.

Mr. Pockers is active in the community and regularly handles pro bono matters through the Support Center for Child Advocates.

Mr. Pockers is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He also is admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. He is a 1999 magna cum laude graduate of Temple University School of Law, where he was a member of the Temple Law Review and a member of the National Trial Team, which defeated more than 200 law schools to win the 1998 Association of Trial Lawyers of America Trial Tournament. Mr. Pockers also graduated with honors from American University.

Areas Of Practice

Non-compete and trade secret litigation
Products liability litigation
Securities customer complaint litigation

Representative Matters

National counsel to Fortune 500 company specializing in office products and services for cases involving breach of non-competition and other post-employment obligations. Successfully obtained temporary restraining orders and/or preliminary injunctions against client's former sales managers and representatives in more than 10 different jurisdictions.
Successfully defended advertising company in lawsuit brought by local newspaper seeking injunctive relief. Argued motion for temporary restraining order before Chief Judge of Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who following argument denied newspaper's motion. Case settled thereafter on terms favorable to client.
Successfully tried 16-day arbitration hearing in dispute involving breach of distribution contracts involving "paintball" products before International Centre for Dispute Resolution. Following hearings, arbitration panel awarded firm's client nearly $16 million.
Obtained temporary restraining order against former employees of office products and services company and the new competitor they formed prohibiting former employees and their company from competing for any customers serviced by former employees.
Successfully argued appeal before U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in case involving alleged breach by trustee of fiduciary duties, after obtaining dismissal of case by District Court. District Court's Order dismissing case was affirmed on appeal.
Obtained temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against former employee of online advertiser preventing employee from working for competitor in competitive job function.
National counsel to dietary supplement marketer in U.S. product liability litigation. Represented client in litigation pending in more than 40 jurisdictions across the country, including in Multi-District Litigation in the Southern District of New York.
Successfully represented local broker in arbitration case brought by broker's former customer alleging breach of fiduciary duties and fraud. Prior to arbitration hearing, negotiated "take nothing" settlement after obtaining sanctions against attorney for claimants' counsel for discovery abuses.
Regularly counsel corporate clients on matters involving enforcement, and defending against the enforcement of, agreements containing non-competition, non-solicitation of customers, non-solicitation of employees and/or non-disclosure of trade secrets covenants.
Tried more than 25 cases in federal, state and arbitration forums in cases involving claims brought for personal injuries, breach of commercial contracts and enforcement of post-employment obligations.

Professional Activities

Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association

Admissions

New Jersey
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of New Jersey
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

Education

Temple University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1999
American University, B.A., cum laude, 1996

Experience

Duane Morris LLP
- Partner, 2008-present
- Associate, 1999-2007

Civic and Charitable Activities

Volunteer Attorney, Support Center for Child Advocates

Honors and Awards

Member, Temple National Trial Team, winners of 1998 Association of Trial Lawyers of America trial tournament out of more than 200 schools which entered tournament