On a typical day you’ll find Katy, Ad Astra’s managing partner and boss lady extraordinaire, out on the front lines advocating fiercely for her clients — as well as behind the scenes, helping to build a law firm full of wonderful people she’s proud of.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” is one of Katy’s life mantras, and she’s never backed down from pursuing the outcome that represents a true victory for each client.

Whether it’s settling a dispute between co-owners of a business, representing individuals in breach of fiduciary duty and unfair competition claims, or defending private companies in a securities action, Katy’s mix of empathy and determination makes her an ideal teammate, supporter, and champion in any legal action.

From tech companies to breweries, businesses to startups, Katy uses her razor-sharp legal skills to enable California’s brightest stars to do what they do best: focus on their businesses and their lives while she handles the disputes that are holding them back.

When she’s not securing victories for her clients, she’s likely camping with  two children, working on remodeling her new house, cooking for friends, or planning her next beach vacation.

Admissions
State Bar of California
Northern District of California

Education
J.D., University of San Francisco 2009
B.A., Social Science, University of the Pacific, 2004

Representative Matters

Partnership Disputes

  • Resolved numerous disputes among business partners/LLC members/Boards of Directors, replete with breaches of fiduciary duties, in a wide range of industries.
  • Without resorting to litigation, settled a dispute between co-owners of a construction materials business.
  • Resolved dispute between brother and sister co-owners of successful publishing business.

Business Litigation

  • Litigated fraud and breach of contract claims against seller of an accounting firm.
  • Defended fraud claim in real estate purchase and sale action.
  • Represented major government agency in a professional malpractice action against a leading accounting firm.
  • Successfully defended a comptroller of a public company against securities fraud charges brought by the SEC.
  • Represented prominent doctor against doctor’s insurance company for defense coverage for mass tort action.
  • Defended business owner/attorney against unfair competition allegations brought by the California Attorney General.
  • Represented individuals in trade secrets and unfair competition claims brought by former employers.
  • Defended restaurant owners in breach of contract actions brought by banks and commercial lenders.
  • Obtained large sums of past due monies in collection actions on behalf of law firms.
  • Successfully settled a lawsuit based on breach of an oral agreement for sale of a San Francisco restaurant two weeks before trial.
  • Obtained a six figure settlement one week before trial on a breach of contract claim in San Jose.
  • Defended high net worth individual against allegations of sex torts and fraud.

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act/CDAFA

  • Represented national IT provider firm in lawsuit filed by national healthcare products manufacturer for violations of California Penal Code section 502 and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
  • Settled just before trial an e-commerce business owners’ claims against contract consultants under Computer Fraud and Abuse act and California Penal Code section 502.
  • Represented a large law firm for computer hacking claims against a rival law firm.
  • Defended claims of section 502 violation brought by seller of an accounting firm against the buyer.

Real Estate & Construction

  • Resolved complex Marvin claim for ownership of real property pursuant to oral agreement between cohabitating couple.
  • Obtained TRO against a developer who excavated without proper notice to neighbors.
  • Represented a large general contractor in a complex construction defect claim brought by homeowners, including cross-complaints against numerous sub-contractors.
  • Obtained dismissal of a claim for violation of San Francisco’s short term housing law on first demurrer.
  • Settled numerous neighbor vs. neighbor disputes regarding property lines and easements.
  • Obtained settlement for homeowners needing a new roof following a failed home inspection and negligent referral of home inspector by real estate agent.
  • Tenaciously represented a commercial lessor in an over $2 million purchase transaction in the San Francisco Bay Area which took over one year to complete.
  • Defended a commercial tenant in an unlawful detainer action and obtained a ruling in my client’s favor with an award of attorneys’ fees.

Trademark

  • Obtained trademark protection for brewery clients, restaurant clients, retailers, and financial service clients.
  • Settled complex trademark disputes for vitamin and supplement manufacturer.

General Counsel Work

  • Serves as outside general counsel to several Bay Area businesses, including breweries, service firms, and construction companies.

Reported Cases

NovelPoster v. Javitch Canfield Group, 140 F. Supp. 3d 938, 140 F. Supp. 3d 954

Upcoming:

Past Engagements:

April 24, 2020
Real Property Section of the California BAR

March 26, 2020
San Francisco Lawyers Network

March 20, 2020
“Seventh Annual Commercial Real Estate Symposium”
Berstein (555 California), San Francisco
Lerman Law Partners

June 14, 2019
MJ BizCon
New Orleans Morial Convention Center

Group Leader Assistant, ProVisors San Francisco IX Group

Berkeley Rotary Club Member

  1. What is your favorite vacation spot?Anywhere on a beach with a beer
  2. What is your favorite food?Bean and Cheese Burritos
  3. Favorite quote?
    “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”— Wayne Gretzky
    — Michael Scott