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Contact
Email
sean@illovskygates.com
Phone
(415) 855-2498
Address
16 N. Marengo Ave., Pasadena, CA, 91101, US
Professional
About
Sean Paul Gates is a distinguished trial lawyer based in Pasadena, CA, and the founding partner of Charis Lex P.C. With over 20 years of experience in commercial litigation, Sean specializes in Antitrust & Trade Law, where he leverages his extensive background as a former partner at leading national law firms and as a government enforcer. Before establishing Charis Lex, Sean served as a deputy assistant director at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), where he played a pivotal role in enforcing antitrust laws and led high-profile litigation against anticompetitive practices. His contributions to the FTC earned him the esteemed Distinguished Service Award, solidifying his reputation as a leading expert in the field. Notably, he is the only former FTC competition deputy assistant practicing in Los Angeles, offering a unique perspective to his clients. Sean’s litigation expertise encompasses a wide array of legal issues, including stock option contracts, trade secrets, fraudulent conveyances, and patent infringement damages. He has been recognized by his peers for his exceptional trial skills, receiving accolades such as “Attorney of the Year” from California Lawyer and being named among Southern California Super Lawyers. Chambers USA has praised him as a “talented litigator” with “excellent attention to detail.” At Charis Lex, Sean is committed to providing principled advocacy and hands-on support to a diverse range of businesses, ensuring that every client receives the benefit of his extensive knowledge and strategic insight in the courtroom.
About Antitrust Trade Law
Antitrust attorneys handle matters involving competition law, market practices, and trade regulations. They help businesses comply with antitrust laws and defend against claims. Common matters include price fixing, monopoly claims, merger review, trade practices.
Credentials
Education
1996 University of California, Hastings College of The Law JD 1989 University of California, Berkeley B.S.
Recognition & Involvement
Awards
2016 Super Lawyer, Antitrust Litigation, Super Lawyers 2016 Antitrust, Chambers & Partners USA Guide 2015 Super Lawyer, Antitrust Litigation, Super Lawyers 2015 Antitrust, Chambers & Partners USA Guide 2014 Super Lawyer, Antitrust Litigation, Super Lawyers
Publications
2015 The Licensing Journal What Is a RAND Licensing Rate? The Ninth Circuit Weighs In 2015 The Intellectual Property Strategist Will the Supreme Court Remove Brulotte’s Shadow Over Patent Licensing? 2015 CPI Antitrust Chronicle Defining “Reasonable” in RAND: A Bit of Common Sense 2014 Antitrust Magazine Is the Customer Never Right? Bazaarvoice and Customer Testimony in Merger Litigation 2013 79 Antitrust L. J. 99 Antitrust by Analogy: Developing Rules for Loyalty Rebates and Bundled Discounts
Associations
2015 - Present American Bar Association Council Member, Section of Antitrust Law 2014 - 2015 American Bar Association Co-Chair, IP Committee, Section of Antitrust Law 2013 - 2014 American Bar Association Co-Chair, IP Committee, Section of Antitrust Law 2012 - 2014 American Bar Association Co-Chair, IP Committee, Section of Antitrust Law 2011 - 2012 American Bar Association, Section of Antitrust Law Vice-Chair, Unilateral Conduct Committee
Speaking
2014 Public Workshop: Conditional Pricing Practices: Economic Analysis and Legal Policy Implications Conditional Pricing Practices: The Use and Misuse of Analogies 2013 Section of Antitrust Law Spring Meeting The Wrong Paradigm? Reforming Patent Pool Guidelines 2013 Law Seminars International Teleseminar New Ruling on RAND Rates for Standard-Essential Patents: Practical Implications of the Groundbreaking District Court Decision in Microsoft v. Motorola 2012 Mobile Payments Conference Navigating Around the Antitrust and IP Pitfalls in Standard Setting
Other Antitrust Trade Law Attorneys in Pasadena, CA
Updated: Jun 04, 2026