Russell Beck

Russell Beck

Litigation - Labor and Employment

5.0 (1 reviews)
Boston, Massachusetts
36+ years experience
Beck Reed Riden LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

155 Federal Street, Suite 1302, Boston, MA 02110
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Bio

Russell Beck is a business, trade secrets, and employee mobility litigator, nationally recognized for his trade secrets and noncompete experience.He was invited to the Obama White House to develop guidelines for the proper use of noncompetes and has been cited as an expert on trade secrets and noncompetes by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the White House, the Treasury Department, National Public Radio, PBS, the BBC World News Service, Le Monde, and many others.Russell has over 30 years of experience as a complex business, trade secrets, and noncompete litigator, representing corporate and individual clients throughout the country in federal and state trial and appellate courts, arbitrations, and mediations. Russell is a leading authority on the law of trade secrets and noncompetes.In addition to his many years assisting his clients (ranging from Fortune 500 companies to individuals) on trade secrets and noncompete matters around the country, he is frequently called upon to advise on trade secrets and noncompete legislation and policy issues.In 2016, he was invited to the White House to participate in working group discussions that led to the development by the White House of a Call to Action on noncompetes. (He was the only private practice lawyer to participate in those discussions.)He was asked to draft one of the first two noncompete bills filed in Massachusetts. For the next nine years, he advised several Massachusetts legislators on potential trade secrets and noncompete legislation, drafted or revised many of the proposed noncompete bills (which became law effective on October 1, 2018), modified the trade secrets bill (which became law effective on October 1, 2018), and provided advice to the Patrick Administration about its proposed noncompete and trade secrets bill.He has assisted a United States Senator on proposed noncompete legislation.He has been quoted and his work cited in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, Fortune, and Le Monde, as well as by the White House and the United States Treasury Department. He has also been interviewed on PBS Newshour, On Point (NPR/WBUR), and NECN News.Russell has prepared several resources that are widely used: He authored the book, Trade Secrets Law for the Massachusetts Practitioner (1st ed. MCLE 2019) (covering trade secrets nationally, with a focus on Massachusetts law).He authored the book, Negotiating, Drafting, and Enforcing Noncompetition Agreements and Related Restrictive Covenants (5th ed., MCLE, Inc. 2015) (covering Massachusetts noncompete law).He authored the chapters Trade Secret Misappropriation and Noncompetition Agreements for Intellectual Property Practice (MCLE, Inc. 2004-2016) (covering trade secrets law nationally and Massachusetts noncompete law).He prepared the firm’s widely-used 50 State Noncompete Survey (the first of its kind and updated regularly since 2010).He prepared the firm’s 50 State Trade Secrets Comparison Chart (also the first of its kind).Russell also founded and chaired Foley & Lardner LLP’s Trade Secret / Noncompete Practice and created and teaches Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants at Boston University School of Law. (Boston University’s Intellectual Property program, of which Russell’s course is a part, has been ranked in the top 10 in the country by U.S. News and World Reports.) Russell Beck is a business, trade secrets, and employee mobility litigator, nationally recognized for his trade secrets and noncompete experience. He was invited to the Obama White House to develop guidelines for the proper use of noncompetes and has been cited as an expert on trade secrets and noncompetes by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the White House, the Treasury Department, National Public Radio, PBS, the BBC World News Service, Le Monde, and many others. Russell has over 30 years of experience as a complex business, trade secrets, and noncompete litigator, representing corporate and individual clients throughout the country in federal and state trial and appellate courts, arbitrations, and mediations. Russell is a leading authority on the law of trade secrets and noncompetes. In addition to his many years assisting his clients (ranging from Fortune 500 companies to individuals) on trade secrets and noncompete matters around the country, he is frequently called upon to advise on trade secrets and noncompete legislation and policy issues. In 2016, he was invited to the White House to participate in working group discussions that led to the development by the White House of a Call to Action on noncompetes. (He was the only private practice lawyer to participate in those discussions.) He was asked to draft one of the first two noncompete bills filed in Massachusetts. For the next nine years, he advised several Massachusetts legislators on potential trade secrets and noncompete legislation, drafted or revised many of the proposed noncompete bills (which became law effective on October 1, 2018), modified the trade secrets bill (which became law effective on October 1, 2018), and provided advice to the Patrick Administration about its proposed noncompete and trade secrets bill. He has assisted a United States Senator on proposed noncompete legislation. He has been quoted and his work cited in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, Fortune, and Le Monde, as well as by the White House and the United States Treasury Department. He has also been interviewed on PBS Newshour, On Point (NPR/WBUR), and NECN News. Russell has prepared several resources that are widely used: He authored the book, Trade Secrets Law for the Massachusetts Practitioner (1st ed. MCLE 2019) (covering trade secrets nationally, with a focus on Massachusetts law). He authored the book, Negotiating, Drafting, and Enforcing Noncompetition Agreements and Related Restrictive Covenants (5th ed., MCLE, Inc. 2015) (covering Massachusetts noncompete law). He authored the chapters Trade Secret Misappropriation and Noncompetition Agreements for Intellectual Property Practice (MCLE, Inc. 2004-2016) (covering trade secrets law nationally and Massachusetts noncompete law). He prepared the firm’s widely-used 50 State Noncompete Survey (the first of its kind and updated regularly since 2010). He prepared the firm’s 50 State Trade Secrets Comparison Chart (also the first of its kind). Russell also founded and chaired Foley & Lardner LLP’s Trade Secret / Noncompete Practice and created and teaches Trade Secrets and Restrictive Covenants at Boston University School of Law. (Boston University’s Intellectual Property program, of which Russell’s course is a part, has been ranked in the top 10 in the country by U.S. News and World Reports.)

Practice Areas

Litigation - Labor and Employment

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Labor and Employment, Boston (2026)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Employment Law - Management, Boston (2024)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Trade Secrets Law, Boston (2024)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Labor and Employment, Boston (2023)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Trade Secrets Law, Boston (2023)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Labor and Employment, Boston (2022)
  • Recognized: Commercial Litigation
  • Recognized: Employment Law - Management
  • Recognized: Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Recognized: Trade Secrets Law
  • Practice Area: Information Technology Law
  • Practice Area: Litigation - Intellectual Property

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2018

Education

  • Boston University School of Law, J.D., graduated 1989

Reviews

L

Laura Rivera

2 weeks ago

A Strategic Partner for Complex Employment and Trade Secrets Matters

Our company faced a critical situation when a departing senior executive attempted to recruit key team members and leverage sensitive client data for a competing venture. The potential damage was immense. We turned to Russell Beck, and his immediate, calm assessment was a relief. His deep, 36-year expertise in trade secrets and employee mobility was evident from our first meeting. He didn't just see a lawsuit; he crafted a multi-faceted strategy that balanced aggressive legal protection with pragmatic business considerations. Russell and his team at Beck Reed Riden moved swiftly, securing necessary injunctive relief while meticulously building our case. His national reputation in this niche area, underscored by his recent 'Lawyer of the Year' recognitions, carried significant weight in negotiations. The matter was resolved favorably and efficiently, safeguarding our most vital assets. Russell is more than a litigator; he is a strategic counselor who understands the intersection of law and business operations. For any Boston-area company navigating the treacherous waters of non-competes or trade secret protection, his guidance is indispensable.

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