Google's deputy GC takes private practice role at Perkins Coie

Alger, who joined Google in 2008, will focus his practice on issues that affect both new and traditional media companies in areas including privacy, the First Amendment, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the copyright fair use doctrine, defamation, the right to publicity and the Communications Decency Act.

The litigator has significant trial and appellate experience and is also expected to resume his previous work handling complex business litigation.

Joe Mais, chair of Perkins Coie’s litigation practice, said: “Tim’s an outstanding lawyer, with a wide range of experience in managing and trying complex litigation matters, and deep substantive expertise in solving the legal problems faced by new and traditional media companies.

“His arrival will certainly enable us to better meet the needs of our clients. Tim’s talent and expertise are welcome additions to our litigation capabilities and we are thrilled that he is joining us.”

Commenting on his appointment, Alger said he was keen to return to private practice.

“I had an enjoyable experience working in-house at Google, but am looking forward to getting back into court and tackling fresh issues and obstacles that our clients face in the ever-changing new media space,” he said.

Alger began his law career in the litigation practice of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in 1992 and then moved to Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges (now Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan) in 2001, becoming a partner the following year.

He was recruited as Google’s deputy general counsel in charge of litigation in 2008, where he led litigation teams to achieve favourable rulings in the Viacom/YouTube copyright litigation in New York, the Rosetta Stone trademark keyword litigation in Virginia and three patent trials in the Eastern District of Texas.

He also regularly spoke on behalf of Google on topics including internet privacy, copyright and publicity laws.