The SAMS Institute (Sales and Marketing Strategy Institute) is founded and directed by Professor Robert W. Palmatier — Kermit Hanson Endowed Professor of Marketing at the University of Washington Foster School of Business.
Through the SAMS Institute, Dr. Palmatier operates a nationally recognized expert witness practice in trademark infringement, consumer surveys, misleading advertising, trade secrets, and brand and customer relationship valuation — retained by leading Am Law 100 law firms for matters in Federal courts, US Tax Court, State courts, and international arbitration.
Notable matters include: Stone Brewing v. MillerCoors (jury awarded $56M, affirmed by 9th Circuit Dec. 2024) · Impossible Foods v. Impossible LLC (jury verdict $3.25M, March 2026) · Masimo v. Apple ($3.1B trade secret dispute) · Amgen v. IRS Commissioner (US Tax Court) · Motista v. Ernst & Young (Arbitration).
Dr.  Palmatier serves both plaintiffs (45%) and defendants (55%). Retaining firms include BraunHagey & Borden, Knobbe Martens, Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, Eversheds Sutherland, and others.
The SAMS Institute provides access to affiliated PhD-level researchers for larger and more complex matters.
Attorneys: rp@samsinstitute.com | 206.913.3388 | samsinstitute.com

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