Managing Partner Eli Ness
Commercial and intellectual property trial lawyer. Admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of California, Texas and Florida, and appearing pro hac vice across the United States.
Eli’s clients consistently regard him as their most trusted advocate and regularly entrust him with their most complex and high-stakes legal matters. Over the course of his career, Eli has successfully prosecuted and defended claims involving billions of dollars across a wide range of industries and legal contexts. He leads a team of experienced trial lawyers who handle matters of any size and complexity, from the first filing through trial.
Beyond technical ability, Eli leads the firm with an unwavering commitment to integrity and sound judgment. These values guide both the firm’s representation of clients and the selection of attorneys permitted to practice under the Ness name. Only lawyers who share the firm’s commitment to excellence, diligence, and honesty are entrusted to represent Ness clients.
Practice
Eli litigates, tries and arbitrates commercial disputes, intellectual property and technology disputes, fiduciary and internal business disputes, and judgment enforcement matters for companies, founders and investors. His recent work includes a federal jury verdict and final judgment of willful and malicious misappropriation of trade secrets for a renewable energy developer, enforcement of a $10.8 million judgment, and a federal dismissal with prejudice and Rule 11 sanctions for clients sued for $1 million. Representative matters, with courts and case numbers.
Admissions
| Jurisdiction | Bar number | Admitted | Public record |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 311054 | 2016 | Bar record |
| Texas | 24119651 | 2020 | Bar record |
| Florida | 1041051 | 2025 | Bar record |
Admitted to the state and federal courts of California, Texas and Florida, including the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and admitted pro hac vice in courts across the United States.
Prior Associations
- Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan LLP
- Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann LLP
- Perkins Coie LLP
- Diamonds International, Head of Litigation
- Chambers of Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Education
- JD, University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) School of Law — first-in-class awards for Civil Procedure, Civil Trial Practice, and Copyright, Competition and Technology; Law & Technology Certificate, Berkeley Center for Law and Technology; Berkeley Technology Law Journal, Article Submissions; Co-President, Boalt Hall Jewish Students Association
- BA, University of California, Berkeley
Languages
English and Hebrew. Eli was born in Israel and regularly represents Israeli-founded companies in their United States disputes.
