Scott D. Baskin, a partner with Irell & Manella LLP, is a resident of the firm’s Newport Beach office.  He has concentrated his practice on intellectual property, technology, and real estate disputes.  For example, Mr. Baskin acted as lead counsel in a $200 million computer hardware and software dispute, representing defendants alleged to have engaged in fraud, breach of contract, and other misconduct.  After trial on the matter, the jury returned a complete defense verdict.  The National Law Journal included this case in its annual report on the 15 most outstanding defense verdicts in the United States.  Mr. Baskin also lead the defense in a federal trademark case. After trial, the jury returned a complete defense verdict and the court denied any injunctive relief.  Mr. Baskin then successfully argued for the affirmation of that defense judgment before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In another recent trial, Mr. Baskin represented the plaintiff prosecuting contract and business tort claims, resulting in a judgment for the plaintiff of more than $55 million.

A frequent lecturer and writer, Mr. Baskin has authored “Protecting the Pot of Gold”  (2005); “Chasing the Pot of Gold” (2004); “Don’t Ask: Patent Infringement Claims Against Purchasers” (2003); “Patent Infringement Claims and Recompense for Purchasers” (1996); “Let the Buyer Beware—of the Pre-Sale Examination Strategy,” Computer Litigation Journal (1995); “Patent Infringement Claims and Recompense for Purchasers,” Computer Litigation Journal (1996); “Practicalities of Using Experts in Civil Litigation,” Preparing and Examining Expert Witnesses in Civil Litigation (1990); “The Use of Experts in Civil Actions,” Preparing and Examining Expert Witnesses in Civil Litigation (1987); “The Use of Experts in Non-Medical Malpractice Actions,” Non-Medical Professional Malpractice (1985); and “Protective Orders Against the Press and the Inherent Powers of the Courts,” Yale Law Journal (1977).  He also served as co-author of “The Construction Subcontract,” Design-Build Contracting (1997); and “The Internal Corporate Investigation: Ad Hoc ‘Search and Destroy’ or Routine Record Retention Programs,” The Internal Corporate Investigation (1980).

In addition to his written work, Mr. Baskin has also been selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer by the publication Los Angeles Magazine every year since 2004.

Mr. Baskin was an assistant instructor at Yale Law School and a law clerk to the Hon. Herbert Y.C. Choy, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Bar & Court Admissions

• 1978, California
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth, Second, and Federal Circuits; U.S. District Court, Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern Districts of California