During his nine years in prime-time broadcasting, Nic Marais spent every day developing crucial communication skills: transforming complicated ideas into interesting stories; maintaining focus in an unpredictable environment; and handling the pressures of live radio before an audience of 1.3 million people. Mr. Marais has interviewed hundreds of sophisticated subjects, with guests ranging from global leaders and Nobel laureates, including Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and F.W. de Klerk, to internationally acclaimed athletes, authors, singers, and movie stars, including Charlize Theron and Morgan Freeman. As a litigator, Mr. Marais applies his extensive experience to our clients' advantage at every turn—conducting depositions, relating arguments to a judge, and framing complex legal questions in a way that juries will find interesting and relatable.
Before joining Keker & Van Nest in the Fall of 2011, Mr. Marais interned at the New York City Law Department's Special Litigation Unit.
Mr. Marais is a 2:53 marathoner, a regular cyclist, and a licensed skydiver. He is fluent in Afrikaans.
Cases of Note
Securities and Exchange Commission v. Executive: The Securities and Exchange Commission launched a securities fraud suit in California federal court against our client, a former vice president of sales. The SEC claims he grossly inflated his company's revenue in order to raise additional capital from investors. We are also defending him in a parallel criminal investigation.
British Telecommunications v. Comcast Cable Communications, LLC: We are currently defending Comcast in an eight-patent case brought by BT in Delaware federal court. The plaintiff has targeted Comcast’s high speed data and telephony services.
Awards and Honors
Yale Law School
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Winner, best presentation of a case on final trial, Thomas Swan Barristers' Union Mock Trial Competition
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Coker Fellow, Legal Writing Instruction
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Knight Fellow, Law and Media Program