SAN FRANCISCO — The entrepreneur who claims Uber Technologies Inc. stole his business idea has retained new counsel at Novak Druce Connolly Bove + Quigg, two weeks after being dumped by his first lawyer.

Novak Druce partner William Coats, who specializes in intellectual property disputes, filed a notice Tuesday that he will represent plaintiff Kevin Halpern in the litigation proceeding in San Francisco Superior Court. Coats replaces attorney Christopher Dolan of The Dolan Law Firm, who moved to withdraw from the case citing “an irreparable and complete breakdown in communication” with his former client.

Halpern claims Uber ripped off Celluride Wireless Inc., a ride-hailing company he founded in 2002. Celluride was intended to connect limo and black-car drivers with passengers through mobile technology, but the company never got off the ground. Halpern says he reached out to Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick for ideas and funding help, but instead of providing guidance, Kalanick stole his concept and used it to launch Uber.