Business Details
14 Years
experience
East Bay Legal Experts for Complex Litigation & Estate Planning
Doyle Low is a Bay Area legal boutique founded over a decade ago by Richard Doyle and Mike Low. With deep roots in high-stakes litigation and nuanced legal strategy, we combine the personalized service of a small firm with the expertise typically found in larger practices. Our attorneys bring decades of experience in estate and tax law, intellectual property, and business litigation, having previously served as partners in established firms. We specialize in transforming legal challenges into strategic opportunities through trial-tested advocacy, mediation, and arbitration. Our track record includes landmark victories in appellate courts and tailored solutions for complex tax planning, fiduciary disputes, and IP protection.Committed to integrity and client-centric representation, we prioritize practical outcomes while maintaining transparency in billing and communication. Our team's academic rigor, including clerkships with federal courts and leadership roles in legal associations, underscores our dedication to excellence. Whether navigating tax controversies, trust disputes, or corporate conflicts, we deliver counsel grounded in both legal precision and business acumen.
Services
Trust & Estate Litigation
Tax Dispute Resolution
Intellectual Property Law
Business Litigation
ERISA & Retirement Plan Disputes
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of combined experience in intellectual property and tax litigation
- Track record of landmark appellate victories and $70M+ settlements
- Former partners at major firms now offering boutique-level service
- Specialized in cross-disciplinary solutions for trusts, taxes, and IP disputes
- Transparent billing with Fortune 500 expertise at small-firm rates
Services
Trust & Estate Litigation
Our attorneys handle complex trust and estate conflicts including fiduciary duty breaches, will contests, and financial elder abuse claims. We combine tax expertise with litigation experience to protect estate assets and resolve disputes efficiently through mediation or trial. Clients benefit from our deep understanding of both California-specific regulations and national standards in estate administration.
Tax Dispute Resolution
We represent clients in IRS and state tax controversies including audits, criminal investigations, and appellate cases. Our team specializes in resolving complex tax disputes through administrative proceedings and litigation while minimizing exposure. With decades of experience handling high-stakes tax cases, we provide strategic counsel on compliance, settlements, and litigation outcomes for individuals and businesses.
Intellectual Property Law
Our IP practice covers patent, trademark, and copyright disputes including litigation, licensing, and portfolio management. We represent technology companies and creators in enforcement actions and defensive strategies. With a 35-year track record in landmark cases, we deliver practical solutions for protecting IP assets through litigation, registration, and contractual frameworks tailored to business objectives.
Business Litigation
We handle commercial disputes including contract enforcement, shareholder conflicts, and partnership dissolutions. Our approach combines aggressive advocacy with cost-effective strategies to resolve cases through trial or alternative dispute resolution. Clients receive tailored counsel on risk management and dispute prevention alongside representation in complex business litigation matters across industries.
ERISA & Retirement Plan Disputes
Our team represents parties in ERISA litigation, retirement plan audits, and fiduciary duty disputes. We handle cases involving benefit denials, plan administration issues, and compliance challenges. With specialized knowledge of federal regulations and precedent-setting cases, we provide strategic representation for plan sponsors, fiduciaries, and beneficiaries in disputes involving pension and health benefits programs.
People
Richard P. Doyle, Jr.
Attorney
Specializing in intellectual property litigation for 35+ years, Richard has managed 150+ litigation matters including a landmark $80M settlement. He teaches patent law, served as in-house counsel for tech firms, and lectures extensively on IP issues.
Michael J. Low
Attorney
With expertise in tax controversies and trusts & estates, Mike represents clients in federal and state litigation. A UC Berkeley Law graduate, he lectures on tax law and has handled complex cases involving fiduciary duties and retirement plan disputes.
Laura Morrison
Senior Paralegal
Laura has provided litigation support for 30+ years, managing discovery responsibilities for over 100 matters. She has been with Doyle Low since its founding and coordinates trial preparation and document management for complex cases.
Catherine Doyle
Attorney
Catherine specializes in trademark law and intellectual property litigation with 25+ years of experience. Formerly a president of the San Francisco Intellectual Property Law Association, she handles complex commercial disputes and trademark enforcement cases.
Nancy Doyle
Office Manager
Nancy oversees office operations and provides litigation support using advanced Adobe and Excel skills. She has been with the firm since its founding and manages critical digital workflows for trial preparation.
Questions
What areas of law does Doyle Low LLP specialize in?
We focus on trusts & estates litigation, tax controversies, intellectual property disputes, business litigation, and ERISA/retirement plan disputes. Our attorneys combine specialized expertise with cross-disciplinary strategies.
How experienced are your attorneys?
Our partners have over 35 years of experience in intellectual property law and tax litigation. They've served as partners at major firms and achieved landmark results in federal courts nationwide.
Do you handle both litigation and alternative dispute resolution?
Yes. While we're trial-tested with numerous appellate victories, we also specialize in mediation, arbitration, and strategic business solutions to resolve disputes efficiently.
What makes your tax controversy practice unique?
Our tax group handles complex cases involving audits, criminal investigations, and estate tax planning. We uniquely combine litigation experience with practical business solutions for high-net-worth individuals and institutions.
How do you approach intellectual property cases?
We provide comprehensive IP services from litigation to strategic portfolio management, with particular strength in trademark disputes and patent cases involving technology and consumer products.
What are your office locations?
Our primary office is in Lafayette, California, with attorneys admitted to practice in multiple federal jurisdictions. We represent clients across California and nationally through strategic partnerships.
