James M. Sappenfield

Dr. Sappenfield is an applied economist specializing in technology, intellectual property, and related financial matters. He leads teams in pre-litigation and litigation engagements and has directed support for testifying experts from industry, technology, and academic backgrounds.

With expertise in econometrics, causal inference, data science, corporate finance, and valuation, Dr. Sappenfield has directed large teams on matters that have involved:

• Analyzing algorithms and code infrastructure in business contract disputes and trade secrecy matters
• Assessing firm performance and the value chain of a technology manufacturer in the context of business market cycles
• Benchmarking the performance of algorithms and AI in social media compliance settings
• Evaluating collusive price fixing in multiple technology industries
• Valuation and damages work in the context of early-stage tech firms, patent portfolios at bankruptcy, technology trade secrets, licensing rights for media, and name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights

Dr. Sappenfield also leads teams in pro bono engagements, including in Sines v. Kessler. In that matter, Brattle demonstrated that the organizers of the Unite the Right Charlottesville 2.0 rally had intent to coordinate conspiracy and incite violence on a social media message platform through the use of network tracing and natural language processing methods.

He has worked with clients including the US Department of Justice, the US Federal Trade Commission, white-shoe law firms, investor class actions, banks, hedge funds, venture capital (VC) and intellectual property (IP) investment firms, national sports leagues and teams, and technology and pharmaceutical companies.