Waymaker is a Los Angeles-based trial and appellate boutique formed in 2006 by Ryan BakerJaime Marquart. Operating until recently as Baker Marquart, the firm underwent a branding transition to reflect the more egalitarian position of personnel within the firm and to illustrate a more forward-thinking and innovative approach overall. Beyond its branding, the firm has also carved itself out a unique position in the local litigation community through its cases, which encompass practices such as antitrust and intellectual property, with novel niche focuses in areas like fintech and cryptocurrency. The firm’s experience in this area was recently put on display by Brian Klein, who is defending Block.one in two related class actions in which plaintiffs contend that the company violated state and federal securities laws in connection with its $4 billion token sale. Klein also led this client through its settlement with the SEC in connection with the same token sale. That matter settled in September 2019, with Block.one paying a $24 million fine. Klein is also representing Payward Ventures, which does business as cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, and its founder and CEO in a crypto antitrust case. Kraken and the CEO were accused of colluding with others to prevent the widespread adoption of a cryptocurrency known as BSV in this case in the Southern District of Florida. The court dismissed the matter. Baker represents Dr. Carsten Breitfeld, the inventor and primary architect of BMW’s i-8 hybrid sports car, in an action against Chinese electric car manufacturer BYTON, who hired the client to develop its own electric car. After Dr. Breitfeld left BYTON, the company sued him in the California Central District federal court, alleging theft of trade secret, breach of fiduciary duty and related claims. Dr. Breitfeld counterclaimed for breach of contract and other employment claims,for which Baker also provides counsel. The court dismissed BYTON’s claims.
