Kobre & Kim's Trial Strategy in Propel Fuels Case

This article is a report detailing the trial strategy employed by Kobre & Kim while representing Propel Fuels in a case against Phillips 66. The firm initiated the trial by presenting three key witnesses from Propel, followed by an unexpected move of calling an adverse witness from Phillips 66. This strategy aimed to provide the jury with a comprehensive view of the case early on. The jury ultimately ruled in favor of Propel, awarding them $605 million for the misappropriation of trade secrets, with additional damages awarded later. The article outlines the critical role of the adverse witness, Nick Dombalis, who was responsible for Phillips' due diligence during the acquisition process. His testimony revealed inconsistencies in Phillips' handling of Propel's information and highlighted the absence of a clean team, which was a significant factor in the jury's decision. The report further discusses the impact of visual evidence presented during the trial and the jury's ability to pose questions to witnesses, which contributed to the trial's outcome.