1. Trade Secrets Attorney New York | Background of the Allegation
The client contacted Attorney after her former employer accused her of misappropriating client information and harming the business.
Claims Raised by the Complainant
The former employer alleged the following conduct constituted a trade-secret violation:
• Taking customer contact information from the salon
• Encouraging clients to refund their memberships and follow her to the new salon
• Keeping approximately $1,500 in customer gratuities, claiming it was misappropriated company revenue
They asserted her conduct violated New York trade secret principles and supported a criminal complaint.
Client’s Position and Immediate Concerns
The client firmly denied all allegations.
She explained that many customers personally communicated with her directly (via phone calls and messaging apps) to schedule appointments even before she resigned.
After she changed workplaces, customers attempted to book her online, failed to find her profile, and voluntarily contacted her.
She simply informed them that she had moved and answered routine questions about refund procedures.
The employer then spread damaging rumors to customers, harming her reputation at her new workplace.
The client turned to Attorney to disprove the allegations and consider a potential counterclaim.
2. Trade Secrets Attorney New York | Legal Analysis and Key Issues
The attorney analyzed whether the client’s conduct met the legal threshold for trade-secret misappropriation under New York standards.
Key Disputed Issues in the Case
The following issues were central to the defense:
• Handling of customer information: Customers initiated contact, not the client.
• Alleged disclosure: No evidence existed showing she provided customer lists to the new salon.
• Refund persuasion: The client answered basic procedural questions but never encouraged cancellations.
• Alleged misappropriated funds: The $1,500 was accumulated as voluntary tips personal gifts, not company funds.
Legal Standards for Trade Secret Violations in New York
Attorney must assess whether the following criteria are met:
- Non-public information — not easily obtainable without authorization
- Economic value — information providing competitive advantage
- Reasonable secrecy measures — the employer must actively protect the information
New York requires proof that a person intentionally acquired, used, or disclosed protected information.
The evidence showed none of these elements were present.
3. Trade Secrets Attorney New York | Defense Strategy and Evidence Submission
Attorney structured a defense demonstrating lack of intent and exposing the complainant’s coercive conduct.
Proving Lack of Intent and Non-Disclosure
The attorney established that:
• Customers contacted the client independently
• No customer list or confidential data was transferred
• Communications were personal and long-standing in nature
• The client only answered direct questions without initiating outreach
This demonstrated absence of misappropriation.
Highlighting Complainant’s Coercive Conduct
Evidence showed the complainant threatened to accuse the client of embezzlement unless she renewed her employment contract.
They also demanded she “return” all customer tips—despite knowing for years that such tips were voluntarily given.
The attorney proved these payments were not salon assets and could not constitute theft, further weakening the credibility of the accusation.
4. Trade Secrets Attorney New York | Outcome and Prosecutorial Decision
After reviewing the attorney’s submissions, the prosecution found no grounds to proceed.
Non-Prosecution Decision Issued
Prosecutors concluded that:
• There was no intent to misuse trade secrets
• No confidential customer information was transferred
• The client did not harm the former employer’s business
• The complainant’s allegations lacked supporting evidence
The case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence, allowing the client to continue her career without reputational or legal consequences.
SJKP Support for Trade Secret Accusations
SJKP assists individuals, employees, and businesses facing trade secret disputes, unfair-competition claims, and confidentiality related investigations.
Attorney team provides evidence review, defense strategy, complaint responses, and long-term reputation protection.
If you are defending against a trade-secret allegation, or need guidance to protect your professional standing, SJKP is ready to support you with confidential, strategic legal counsel.
26 Nov, 2025
