A leading research services firm is seeking court intervention after alleging that a former high-ranking employee took confidential business information and recruited colleagues to join a rival venture. The complaint was filed by Guidepoint Global, LLC in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on May 4, 2026, naming Alan Ware as the defendant.
According to the court filing, Guidepoint Global alleges that Alan Ware, who served as Director of Research and Global Head of its Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) group until April 22, 2026, violated his employment agreement by misappropriating proprietary information and orchestrating the departure of several team members to join a new start-up. The company states that it relies on protecting its trade secrets—including pricing models, client lists, sales strategies, and expert networks—to maintain its competitive position in the global market.
The complaint outlines that Ware joined Guidepoint in March 2023 and quickly rose through the ranks to oversee all TMT content generation. In this capacity, he had access to sensitive internal data. As part of his employment terms, Ware signed an agreement containing confidentiality clauses as well as non-competition and non-solicitation provisions. These agreements expressly prohibited him from working for or creating a competing business for six months after leaving Guidepoint and from soliciting employees or using proprietary information post-employment.
Guidepoint asserts that beginning in early 2026—months before his resignation—Ware began planning his exit strategy while still employed at the company. The filing details how five members of the TMT team resigned between March 31 and April 24, 2026. When questioned by Guidepoint’s legal department about these departures on April 21, Ware acknowledged knowing about their move to a start-up but denied knowledge of further details. He resigned from Guidepoint the following day.
The complaint further alleges that both Ware and at least one other former TMT member updated their LinkedIn profiles to indicate they were co-founders at an entity called “Stealth Startup.” According to Guidepoint’s filing: "Upon information and belief, Ware is the founder or co-founder of the Start-Up." The company claims this new venture intends to compete directly with its own business model.
A significant portion of the allegations centers on emails allegedly sent by Ware from his work account to his personal email address starting in November 2025. These emails reportedly included confidential transcripts from calls with industry experts marked “CONFIDENTIAL” as well as spreadsheets detailing team performance metrics and compensation structures. The filing states: "No legitimate business reason existed for Ware to email to his personal email address these transcripts," adding that such actions violated explicit contractual obligations.
Guidepoint contends that these actions constitute violations under several legal theories: breach of contract (specifically restrictive covenants), violation of the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA), tortious interference with contracts between Guidepoint and other employees, and breach of fiduciary duty owed by Ware during his tenure. For example, under Count I regarding DTSA violations: "Ware violated the DTSA by misappropriating Guidepoint’s Trade Secrets used in...interstate or foreign commerce." Similarly, under breach of contract claims: "Ware’s conduct violated § 4(b) of the Employment Agreement because he solicited and recruited Guidepoint employees..."
The plaintiff argues that monetary damages alone are insufficient due to ongoing risks posed by potential disclosure or use of trade secrets at a competitor: "Monetary damages alone are insufficient to remedy the ongoing and future harm caused by Ware’s misconduct." As such, Guidepoint seeks preliminary and permanent injunctive relief restraining Ware from working for any competing businesses identified in his employment agreement or using any proprietary information obtained during his time at Guidepoint.
In addition to injunctive relief aimed at preventing further breaches or misuse of confidential data, Guidepoint requests compensatory damages estimated at over $10 million along with punitive damages for what it describes as willful conduct. The company also asks for attorneys’ fees pursuant to applicable statutes including 18 U.S.C. §1836(b)(3)(D).
The attorneys listed for Plaintiff Guidepoint Global are Jason D. Burns and Shira M. Poliak from Greenberg Traurig LLP in New York City; Justin K. Victor and Jacob R. Dean are also named as counsel pending pro hac vice admission in Atlanta offices. The case is identified as Civil Action No. 1:26-cv-02667.
Source: 126cv02667_Guidepoint_Global_LLC_v_Ware_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf