Kathleen Kerekes

Legal Topic

Intellectual Property (IP)

Preferred New Clients

Business litigation, trade secret litigation, patents, trademarks, copyright, intellectual property litigation, internet law, employment, landlord tenant, real property litigation, business formation, personal injury, consumer protection law, elder abuse, class action, bankruptcy, creditors rights, collections, fraud litigation, contract disputes, bad faith insurance claims, administrative hearings, appeals and writs, as well as licensure defense.

Sub-Topics

Arts and Entertainment

Film
Literary Arts
Publishing

Copyright

International Intellectual Property (IP)

Patent

Biotech & Medical
Business Process
Electronics & Computer
Internet Patents
Mechanical
Patent Design
Plants
Technology & Engineering

Technology Licensing

Trade Dress

Trade Secrets

Trademark

Legal Topic

Business Law

Preferred New Clients

Business litigation, trade secret litigation, patents, trademarks, copyright, intellectual property litigation, internet law, employment, landlord tenant, real property litigation, business formation, personal injury, consumer protection law, elder abuse, class action, bankruptcy, creditors rights, collections, fraud litigation, contract disputes, bad faith insurance claims, administrative hearings, appeals and writs, as well as licensure defense.

Sub-Topics

Antitrust & Trade Regulation

Antitrust Law
Deceptive Trade Practices
False Advertising
Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures
RICO Act
Unfair Competition

Business Entity Formation

Business Successions
Closely Held Businesses
Corporations
Directors' & Officers' Liability
Joint Ventures
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
Partnerships
Professional Corporations
Shareholders' Rights
Trade Associations

Collections

Creditor's Rights
Garnishees
Judgments
Locating Funds

Commercial Law

Breach of Contract
Contract Disputes
Contract Drafting & Review
Employment Contracts
Non-Compete Contracts
Secured Transactions
Uniform Commercial Code
Warranties

Consumer Law

Consumer Class Actions
Credit Report Problems
Debt Collection/Relief/Harassment
Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
Truth in Lending

Entertainment Law

Art
Communication & Media
Film
Internet
Literary Arts
Publishing

Internet (Cyberspace)

Domain Names

Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Legal Topic

Family Law

Preferred New Clients

Information coming soon.

Bar Admissions

CA, Dec 2001
Bar Number: 216106

Specialty Certifications

Admitted to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Other Court Admissions

• All California State Courts
• United States District Courts: Eastern District of California, Central District of California, and Northern District of California

Association Memberships

• California State Bar
• American Bar Association
• Sacramento County Bar Association

Continuing Education

I regularly attend continuing legal education seminars. I have taught one continuing education seminar on LEED certification.

Example Cases

Published appellate decisions:
• Olsen v. Harbison (2005) 134 Cal.App.4th 278
• Wanland v. Law Offices of Mastagni, Holstedt & Chiurazzi (2006) 141 Cal.App.4th 15

Education

School:

University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

Degree:

Juris Doctorate

City:

Sacramento

State:

CA

Year:

2001

Honors:

Dean's List

Focus and Accomplishments:

Concentrations in Intellectual Property and International Law

School:

Michigan State University

Degree:

Bachelor of Sciences

City:

East Lansing

State:

MI

Year:

1993

Honors:

Dean's List

Focus and Accomplishments:

Microbiology

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

California

Firm Focus and History

Kerekes Law Corporation was established in January 2010.

Kerekes Law Corporation is a general services firm that offers services in civil litigation, corporate formation, trademark prosecution and patent prosecution.

Previous Employment Summary

I have worked for over nine years in complex civil litigation matters in a variety of practice areas for both plaintiffs and defendants. Civil Litigation (plaintiff and defense): legal malpractice; fraud; malicious prosecution; real estate transaction disputes; contract disputes; business dissolutions/disputes; partnership disputes/dissolutions; collections; creditors rights; trade secret disputes; bad faith insurance claims; personal injury claims; administrative proceedings; arbitrations; extensive law and motion work (legal writing, oral arguments, hearings, etc.); contempt proceedings.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I think clients should take the time to learn about their legal issues and I often refer clients to the court self-help websites, the USPTO website, and Nolo publications. When a client has at least a basic understanding of the legal issues, it tends to create a better attorney-client relationship.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I generally have the clients prepare a detailed chronology of events leading to the legal issues at hand prior to meeting clients in person. This refreshes the client’s memory and gives me the ability to look at something while the client tells me about the situation. Often, clients become emotional about the legal problems and tend to "vent" rather than focusing on the facts at hand. A detailed chronology helps the client and me focus on the situation to identify issues and possible solutions in a more efficient manner.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I have coached clients in pro per, however, I prefer not to do this as I cannot be certain how my coaching is interpreted by the client and what the client decides to pick and chose from the advice offered. I will do this type of work in very limited instances.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

I decided to become a lawyer because I am a highly analytical person and enjoy solving challenging legal problems.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

I worked as a research scientist for approximately ten years before becoming a lawyer. This experience and scientific background qualified me to become licensed as a patent attorney. My work as a research scientist was highly analytical and helps me in analyzing cases and complex fact patterns.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

I chose intellectual property as a primary area of practice because of my science background.

What do you like best about your career?

I became a lawyer to combine my scientific background and analytical skills as they apply in the legal field.

Tell us about your law firm:

I am a solo practitioner and I deal directly with all of my clients.

What are your strengths and style?

My strengths are my commitment to my clients and to assist them with identifying their goals and providing legal services that make sense for each client. I can be a very aggressive attorney.

Personal Interests:

I love traveling with my two little mini dachshunds, Chloe and Oliver. I love taking them to Carmel to enjoy the beach.

Fax

(916) -550-9644

Office Hours

Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

No

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

I do trademark prosecution (filing only) at a flat rate of $1,500 plus costs (e.g. filing fees, postage, copies, etc.). I do provisional patent (filing only) at a flat rate of $2,500 plus costs (e.g., filing fees, postage, copies, etc.)

Hourly Rates

$250

Free Initial Consultation?

I sometimes offer free initial consultations, primarily for personal injury matters.

Typical Retainer

My typical retainer for litigation is between $5,000 and $10,000 depending on the complexity of the matter. I will consider smaller retainers depending on the matter. I generally require cost retainers in contingency fee cases unless it is an unusual circumstance. Cost only retainers are generally between $1,500 and $2,500.

Understanding Fees