Joshua Jessen, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher associate
Image: courtesy photo
Joshua Jessen, 38, associate
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
IP attorney Jessen represents technology companies involved in putative Internet privacy class actions. He was a key member of the Gibson Dunn team that successfully represented online advertising network Specific Media Inc. in an Internet privacy class action dismissed in April 2011 by the Central District of California for lack of Article III standing. The case, In re Specific Media Flash Cookies Litigation, was brought by a group of plaintiffs who claimed injury as the result of Specific Media's alleged placement of Adobe "Flash cookies" onto their computers. Jessen led the successful motion-to-dismiss briefing and also handled the oral argument. It was the first decision of its kind. He serves on the board of Families Forward, an Orange County-based organization that assists families in financial crisis to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. He has also acted as a guardian ad litem, on a pro bono basis, for children affected by temporary protective order proceedings.
Word that best describes you?
Cerebral.
Most interesting place you've traveled?
Israel. I was working on a patent case several years ago and spent about two months (on four separate trips) in Israel for the case. The history of the place blew me away. I worked a lot, but typically I would have a day here and there to see Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, the Galilee, Nazareth and other places of historical significance.
Guilty pleasure?
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Caramel with a Touch of Sea Salt candy bar, preferably with a glass of Pinot Noir
Most unusual hobby?
I took ballroom dancing lessons while studying abroad in college.
Favorite quote?
I have several. Here's one: "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes." — Walt Whitman
Best advice you ever got?
I'm going to go with another quote, this one from Ben Franklin: "He that would live in peace and ease must not speak all he knows nor judge all he sees."
