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About Kelly
Biography
Kelly brings her innovative problem-solving skills, sound judgment, and strong ability to advocate to every matter she handles. Kelly focuses her practice on residential landlord-tenant, personal injury, and sexual abuse litigation.
Kelly represents tenants in San Francisco and throughout the Bay Area in a wide variety of matters, including affirmative lawsuits against landlords for uninhabitable conditions, tenant harassment, and wrongful eviction. Kelly also represents individuals who have been injured because of another's carelessness. She has successfully handled cases involving serious personal injuries resulting from car accidents, bike accidents, truck accidents, and slip and falls due to the negligence or intentional conduct of another. Kelly also represents survivors of sexual abuse and assault and has experience working on a wide range of sexual abuse matters, from highly publicized cases and multi-million-dollar exposure to cases in tandem with criminal investigations. Kelly has a proven track record of success in both settling and trying cases in court.
Before founding Kellogg & Van Aken LLP, Kelly practiced as a trial attorney at a prominent defense firm in San Francisco where she represented energy companies, automotive and consumer product manufacturers, and pharmaceutical and medical device companies in mass tort and high stakes personal injury matters. There, Kelly handled all phases of litigation, including case strategy, discovery and depositions, motion practice, mediation, expert discovery, and trial.
Kelly earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and her juris doctorate degree from UC Davis School of Law. During college, Kelly served as captain and lead attorney of the UCSB Mock Trial Team. In law school, Kelly served on the Trial Practice Honors Board, as captain and lead attorney of the National Mock Trial Team, competed in Moot Court, and served as the Chair of the law school’s Moot Court Board. She also was one of ten students in her graduating class selected for membership in The Order of Barristers, a national honor society that recognizes excellence in oral and trial advocacy skills.
When she is not practicing law, Kelly likes to spend time with her family. She also volunteers her time with the San Francisco Tenants Union.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 15 years
State: California
Acquired: 2010
No misconduct found
Location
Kellogg & Van Aken LLP
One Sansome Street, Suite 3500, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94104
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Kelly Dolores Van Aken's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
2 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Communication Style
Posted by Greg | July 25, 2014 | Landlord & Tenant
Responsive, clear, thorough case resolution
I contacted TKVA Law with an inquiry about a landlord-tenant dispute. I worked with Kelly Van Aken, who listened closely to my case, made sure she understood all the facts and my objectives, and then thoroughly explained the relevant laws. Kelly offered a free 15-minute phone consultation to unde...
Kelly Dolores Van Aken's Lawyer Endorsements
"Kelly is well-respected in the legal community and for good reason. She is a highly-intelligent and tenacious litigator who goes above and beyond for her clients. I wholeheartedly recommend this attorney."
"Kelly is a thoughtful, bright and down to earth attorney. Anyone would be lucky to have her on their side."
"I endorse this lawyer. Kelly Van Aken is a great professional and has a solid reputation in the community. Natalia Malyshkina"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Kelly is an exceptional attorney. She is one of the most gifted oral advocates I have ever seen, and is known for the zealous, thoughtful approach she brings to every case she handles. She is well respected by her colleagues in the legal community, and I recommend her without hesitation."
"Kelly is articulate and intelligent. She is a well-spoken and dedicated advocate, but she is also friendly and approachable. She is exactly what a client needs in an attorney."
"Kelly is smart, approachable and hard-working. She is a tireless advocate for her clients, and I highly endorse her."
"I recently referred a landlord tenant matter to Kelly and her firm. The client immediately thanked me for the referral and she was very happy with the advice and personal attention she received from Kelly and her firm. I highly recommend Kelly and the Toscano Kellogg and Van Aken law firm."
"Kelly is a tireless advocate for her clients and she brings life to the law. I continue to refer my clients to her who are in need of aggressive and passionate advocacy on their behalf."
"Kelly and her partners are passionate about their work and their clients. She is an attorney that you can trust and will always put your interests first."
"I trust Kelly Van Aken and her firm with my own clients who have been injured or suffered catastrophic losses. Ms. Van Aken worked for several years as a defense attorney, and she has the skill and wisdom to maximize personal injury recoveries. She has all of the tools: aggressive, client-centered, analytical, and detailed oriented."
"Kelly is an intelligent, articulate attorney. I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Kelly perform in appellate advocacy competition (the most formal of all oral advocacy) and she excelled among the very best. Kelly is now a strong advocate for her clients and someone I would trust with my own representation."
"Kelly is as intelligent and shrewd as she is approachable and personable. I am pleased to endorse her."
"Kelly is one of the most gifted oral advocates I have seen, and her passion and conviction on behalf of her clients is second to none. She provides the perfect balance between thoughtful analysis and tenacious advocacy that clients with tough problems need to successfully resolve problems. All in all, she's a fantastic lawyer, and I strongly endorse her."
"Ms. Van Aken is one of the hardest working young attorneys I know. Her work is exceptional, and she is an outstanding oral and written advocate. I have personally learned a great deal from Kelly about how to be an excellent attorney, and she is someone I sincerely trust."
"Kelly is a dedicated attorney and outstanding oral advocate. She's intelligent, approachable, driven, hardworking, and an exceptional writer. I strongly endorse Kelly Van Aken."
"I have known Kelly for over five years, and she has always been extremely hard working and dedicated. She is intelligent and just knows how to get the job done. I strongly endorse her."
"I have had the fortunate opportunity to know Kelly in both an academic and work setting. She is an exceptional attorney. She is hardworking and approachable, but a fierce advocate for her clients. Her trial and oral advocacy skills are second to none. I would recommend Kelly to anyone who wants to work with a bright, professional and skilled attorney who demonstrates a commitment to both her clients and the legal community. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"Kelly is an outstanding oral advocate and superior writer. She is also extremely thorough and consistently produces superior work product."
"I have known Ms. Van Aken approximately five years, and have found her to be among the smartest, most dedicated, and hardest working attorneys I know. She is also an extraordinarily talented oral advocate. I strongly endorse her."
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Experience
Honors
2010
The Order of Barristers, University of California at Davis School of Law
2010
Public Interest Certificate, University of California at Davis School of Law
2010
Pro Bono Certificate, University of California at Davis School of Law
2010
National Appellate Advocacy Competition - Finalist, American Bar Association
2009
Trial Practice Honors Board, UC Davis School of Law
2009
Moot Court Board - Chair, UC Davis School of Law
2007
All Region Attorney Award, American Mock Trial Association
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Partner, Kellogg & Van Aken LLP
2009 - 2013
Summer Associate/Associate, Sedgwick LLP
2009 - 2009
Legal Extern, Sacramento County District Attorney
2008 - 2008
Judicial Extern, Sacramento County Superior Court
2006 - 2007
Teaching Assistant, UCSB Law and Society Department
2005 - 2006
Legal Intern, Santa Barbara County District Attorney
Associations
2014 - Present
San Francisco Trial Lawyers AssociationDiversity Committee Member
2013 - Present
UC Davis School of Law Young Alumni AssociationFounder's Committee Member
2012 - Present
Korean American Bar Association of Northern CaliforniaMember/Mentor
2012 - Present
VLSPVolunteer Attorney
2010 - Present
Bar Association of San FranciscoMember
2008 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Family of Tenants v. Landlord
Negotiated Resolution
Tenants v. Landlord: Horrific Living Conditions
Negotiated Resolution
Eviction Defense: Judgment in Favor of Client
Judgment entered in client's favor
Eviction Defense
Dismissal
Plaintiff v. Property Manager
Negotiated Resolution
Landlord v. Long Term Tenant
Negotiated Resolution
Family v. Former Landlord
Negotiated Resolution
Plaintiff v. Major Automobile Manufacturer
Summary Judgment
Plaintiff v. Prominent Napa Valley Winery
Negotiated Resolution
Retired Telecommunications Workers v. Broker-Dealer
Win - Full Defense Judgment
Plaintiff v. Major Automobile Manufacturer and Dealership
Negotiated Resolution
Plaintiff v. Major Automobile Manufacturer
Negotiated Resolution
Retired Telecommunications Workers v. Broker-Dealer
Negotiated Resolution
Plaintiff v. Major Drug Retailing Chain
Dismissal - No Cost
Plaintiff v. Equipment Manufacturer
Summary Judgment
Plaintiff v. Major Automobile Manufacturer and Dealership
Negotiated Resolution
Plaintiff v. Automobile Dealership
Negotiated Resolution
Plaintiffs v. Major Automobile Manufacturer and Dealership
Favorable Negotiated Resolution
California Former Inmates v. State Agency
Negotiated Resolution
Education
2010
University of California at Davis School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2006
University of California - Santa Barbara
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
Bar Association of San Francisco's Barristers Annual Meeting
Dealing with Difficult Opposing Counsel
2013
San Francisco's Women's Forum Lunch
"Lean In"
2012
Sedgwick U
Affirmative Action: The Debate Continues
Publications
2013
California Lawyer Magazine
Addressing Substance Abuse
2013
Women Connect Newsletter
Gender Equity - Moving the Bar Forward
2012
2011
California Employment Law Letter
No Such Thing as "Unpaid" Preparation Time for Teachers
2011
2009
California Employment Law Letter
School Districts May Prohibit Political Endorsements from Teacher Mailboxes
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers