The 2025 Trade Secret Awards
New for 2025, the Trade Secret Awards will shine a spotlight on the individuals, teams, and firms leading the way in trade secret protection, litigation, and innovation. These awards recognize outstanding contributions to the field—whether through legal expertise, in-house collaboration, technological advancement, or DEI leadership. Judged by an expert panel, the awards celebrate those shaping the future of trade secret strategy and enforcement. Join us in Boston on Tuesday, 16th September, as we honor the pioneers making a lasting impact in this critical area of intellectual property.
AWARD CATEGORIES MEET THE JUDGES HOW TO GET INVOLVED
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Introducing The Categories
Trade Secret Litigation Firm of the Year
This category recognizes the law firm that has demonstrated exceptional expertise and impact in the field of trade secret litigation over the past 12 months. Judges will consider the firm’s contribution to groundbreaking trade secret strategies, high-profile cases, client success stories, and its overall influence on shaping the trade secret landscape. The winning firm will exemplify innovation, collaboration, and excellence in trade secret litigation strategy and drive progress towards the future of trade secret litigation case law.
Firms can be considered in all areas of trade secret litigation including strategic advisory practices, litigation, prosecution or transactions.
Rising Star Of The Year
Acknowledging the up-and-coming trade secret attorney who has already made a significant impact, showcasing exceptional legal skills and strategic thinking beyond their years of experience. To be considered in this category the nominee will have had to be practising for less than 10 years. The judges will consider the nominees’ contributions to their firms, notable achievements, professional growth and expertise shown in the last 12 months.
In-House Trade Secret Collaboration Team of the year
Honouring the in-house HR, Compliance and IP team that has most effectively created and executed a best-in-class trade secret risk mitigation strategy. This award will recognize teams who have demonstrated outstanding collaboration, shown strategic foresight, harnessed innovative solutions, and advanced their organization’s Trade Secret knowledge and understanding. Judges will consider the team’s role in overcoming complex challenges, driving impactful outcomes, and supporting groundbreaking advancements in onboarding/offboarding strategy, collaboration agreement and risk management.
DEI Trade Secret Individual of the Year
Celebrating the exceptional DEI initiative attorney who has broken new ground, inspired others, and demonstrated unparalleled excellence in serving the Trade Secret innovation ecosystem. This award celebrates the trailblazer who has broken new ground, inspired peers and future leaders, and demonstrated unmatched excellence, leadership, and dedication in advancing Trade Secret IP.
Lifetime Achievement
Honouring the lawyer who’s distinguished, decades-long career has left a lasting mark on the Trade Secret IP landscape, inspiring generations of practitioners and shaping the field. Through their work, their work and influence has caused seismic shift in the field of Trade Secret importance. Judges will be looking for pioneering contributions, industry impact, leadership and mentorship, career longevity and consistency
Technology Solution of the year
Recognising the technology solution that contributes most effectively to Trade Secret IP management. We seek groundbreaking tools that demonstrate exceptional capability in streamlining complex trade secret management workflows, enhancing strategic decision-making, and driving measurable efficiency gains. Judges will evaluate submissions based on innovation, practical utility, technological sophistication, and potential to fundamentally reshape Trade Secret management services.
Meet The Judges
How To Get Involved
Your firm, team, or individual achievements can be nominated by industry peers, or you can apply directly. All entries will be carefully reviewed by our judging panel, who will create a shortlist of the top three contenders per category. View the timeline of some key dates for the Trade Secret Awards below.
At Trade Secret Awards 2025, we are committed to a fair and transparent selection process. Our expert judging panel independently reviews all entries, evaluating each nomination based on merit, impact, and contribution to the trade secret landscape. Neither the event organizers nor sponsors influence the results at any stage. The shortlist is determined solely by our expert judges, ensuring an impartial and unbiased recognition of excellence. The final winners will be revealed live in Boston on September 16, 2025.