At a time when law firms seek to outwit each other with proprietary software and attractive partner compensation models, Proskauer Rose’s suit against a former C-suite member for allegedly stealing trade secrets spotlights the lengths law firms will go to protect their competitive advantages.

One of the latest developments in Proskauer v. O’Brien came Dec. 28 when the firm obtained a temporary restraining order requiring former chief operating officer Jonathan O’Brien to return trade secrets he allegedly stole just days before announcing his departure for another job.