Marc G. van Niekerk

Marc G. van Niekerk is Special Counsel in Silicon Valley Law Group’s Business Litigation and Intellectual Property & Employment Group. Based in San Jose, he focuses on business litigation involving intellectual property, commercial contracts, business torts, and unfair competition. His practice includes trade secret misappropriation, employee solicitation, trademark disputes, and fiduciary duty claims. He has tried more than 50 cases to verdict and has extensive mediation experience.

Marc earned a B.A. in 1987 and an LL.B. in 1989 from the University of Cape Town, followed by an LL.M. there in 1996 focusing on Maritime Law and South African Income Tax Law. He received another LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Texas at Austin in 1998. His education supports work involving cross-border, intellectual property, and complex commercial issues.

Marc has handled cases concerning contract breaches, securities-related compensation disputes, licensing questions, and trademark infringement. His representative work includes obtaining an $11.5 million judgment in a complex commercial contract case and securing the dismissal of a trademark infringement action. He has also participated in special committee investigations and previously worked at Bergeson, LLP, Cooley Godward LLP, and a law firm in South Africa.

Marc G. van Niekerk has served on the Santa Clara County Bar Association Judiciary Committee, which evaluates candidates for certain judicial appointments. His courtroom and mediation experience informs how he assesses the risks and practical options in business disputes. He helps clients manage conflicts involving technology, commercial relationships, and intellectual property while considering the costs and demands of formal litigation.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Silicon Valley Law Group
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, The State Bar of California
• Member, Santa Clara Bar Association Judiciary Committee

Licensed State

• Texas
• California

Education

• University of Texas at Austin
  LL.M. (Intellectual Property Law)
• University of Cape Town, South Africa
  LL.M. (Maritime Law and South African Income Tax Law)
• University of Cape Town, South Africa
  Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• University of Cape Town, South Africa
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges