When a company or its leaders are at risk, founding partner Daniel J. Bergeson uses his substantial litigation and trial experience to advocate for their rights and reputations in lawsuits involving securities, intellectual property, employment, and commercial law. He focuses on the essential facts to persuade juries, judges, and triers of cases in state and federal courts and arbitration forums in Silicon Valley, Delaware, New York, and other dispute resolution venues nationwide.
Daniel brings more than 35 years of business trial experience to bear in the most contentious and prominent business litigation disputes and investigations. His clients have ranged from Fortune 500 companies to start-ups facing bet-the-company threats. In addition, he has protected the rights of several Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and executives in state and federal courts throughout the nation as well as in state and federal regulatory and investigative matters.
Silicon Valley Trial Lawyer
Daniel is immersed in Silicon Valley’s unique business, venture capital, and tech ecosystem. He represents companies, founders, entrepreneurs, C-level executives, directors, and special committees in high-stakes litigation and investigations. He has achieved favorable settlements and trial outcomes in sophisticated disputes related to a range of claims, including, among others:
- Breach of contract
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Corporate governance
- Defamation
- Fraud
- Government Investigations
- Mergers + Acquisitions
- Misrepresentation
- Patent infringement
- Shareholder actions
- Trade secrets
Recognition
Daniel was named “2020 San Jose Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Securities” by Best Lawyers for his extensive experience defending companies, directors, and officers in securities claims ranges from preindictment SEC investigations to trials and appeals. Daniel has served as an expert witness on breach of fiduciary duty.
In addition, Daniel was named a 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, 2023 Attorney of the Year in California by Top 100 Registry, and consistently receives recognition from Best Lawyers in America, Northern California Super Lawyers and America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators.®
Leadership
As 2019 President of the Board of Governors of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL), Northern California Chapter, Daniel helped increase constructive dialogue between the bench and bar and advance the profession. Mr. Bergeson is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (ABF). The Fellows is a global honorary society of lawyers, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the profession and service to society.
Daniel founded Bergeson, LLP in 1990, following early career experience in large law firms. Daniel also co-founded two venture capital firms, Ascolta Ventures, LLC and ASI Capital, LLC. He serves on the board of advisors of DOOR, a nonprofit focused on housing affordability, and is an active alumnus of the University of Michigan Law School.
