Davis Polk today announced that leading trial lawyer John (Jay) Neukom has joined the firm as a partner in the IP Litigation practice in Northern California. 

“Jay is a highly regarded first-chair trial lawyer,” said Neil Barr, Davis Polk’s Chair and Managing Partner. “His experience guiding companies through their most critical intellectual property disputes is an excellent complement to our terrific IP litigation team. We are delighted to welcome him to the firm as we continue to grow our platform in Northern California.” 

Mr. Neukom serves as lead trial counsel to publicly traded and large private companies in high-stakes courtroom disputes against direct competitors. He has served as lead counsel in over 125 technology disputes in federal and state courts around the country, as well as before the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Patent Trial & Appeal Board and in arbitrations before AAA, JAMS, FINRA, ICC and BCICAC. 

Mr. Neukom has taken 21 cases to trial verdict or arbitration award. Through judgment and settlement, he has defeated over $3 billion in claims against clients, recovered over $450 million for them, and secured contract reformation, IP assignments and injunctions. In addition, he has successfully argued appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the California Courts of Appeal.

“Jay is an exceptional lawyer with an impressive track record of success, especially in matters that go to trial,” said Ashok Ramani, head of Davis Polk’s IP Litigation practice. “With Jay, we strengthen our bench of stellar litigators who apply a trial-focused strategy to every matter from day one to deliver the best possible outcome for our clients. I am delighted to welcome him to the team.”

Mr. Neukom said, “Davis Polk has a formidable IP litigation practice. I am very excited to join this elite team and look forward to partnering with our clients to navigate increasingly complex and high-stakes disputes.”

Publications consistently recognize Mr. Neukom as a leading intellectual property litigator. The Recorder named Mr. Neukom a 2025 “IP Lawyer of the Year” finalist. He is recognized as a “Patent Star” by Managing IP and has been honored multiple times by the Daily Journal as a “Top IP Lawyer” and a “Top Trade Secrets Lawyer” in California. 

Mr. Neukom received his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2004. He has an M.A. from Yale University and B.A. from Dartmouth College. 

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