Josh Lerner is a litigation partner and a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group. His practice focuses on representing technology and life sciences companies in high-stakes commercial and trade secrets disputes, including complex, business-critical matters involving trade secret misappropriation, business torts, founder disputes and contract claims.
Mr. Lerner is a seasoned trial lawyer with extensive experience litigating in federal and state courts and arbitral forums. He has served as lead counsel in significant trade secrets cases and regularly handles matters involving temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, often on expedited timelines. He also advises clients on sensitive internal investigations involving intellectual property and data. Mr. Lerner has defended technology companies in numerous cases involving free speech, and also has extensive experience leading the defense of high-stakes class actions, domestic arbitrations and mass arbitrations.
His practice spans a range of industries, with a particular focus on technology and life sciences. Mr. Lerner brings both law firm and in-house experience to his work, enabling him to provide practical, business-oriented advice in complex disputes.
Prior to joining Debevoise, Mr. Lerner was a partner and Co-Chair of the trade secrets practice at an international law firm. Earlier in his career, he served as senior litigation counsel at Genentech and taught business torts at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings).
He received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2001 and his B.A. from Reed College in 1998.