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Nate Kelly
also known as Nathaniel Greenberg Kelly
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About Nate
Biography
Nate Kelly is a business attorney, startup specialist, and securities law expert with extensive experience negotiating commercial contracts:
$100M+ in securities transactions;
$100M+ in start-up client revenue; and
$100M+ negotiated settlements.
ADVISOR:
Nate Kelly offers strategic advising for businesses, brands, creatives, entrepreneurs, founders, investors, nonprofits, political organizations, and startups; from concept, to operations, to sale; negotiating high level partnerships; and successfully guiding clients through a multitude of complex and important matters.
ADVOCATE:
Nate Kelly serves as private counsel, corporate officer, board member; as well as a public and private advocate for business, civic, environmental, charitable organizations, in additional to advocating on behalf of political issues as well as candidates for local, statewide, and national political offices.
Recognized as a Business Law Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine in both Northern and Southern California, 2016-2022.
Nate Kelly is a business attorney and startup specialist with extensive deal making and litigation expertise. The Law Offices of Nate Kelly represent businesses and individuals, with a particular specialty in high leverage negotiations, bet-the-company litigation, and business buy-outs.
Do you need a dispute handled professionally without emptying your bank or compromising your rights? Nate Kelly has been recognized as one of the best attorneys in California every year since 2016, and in 2025 was named a California SuperLawyer and Top-100 Bet-the-Company Litigators.
Bet-the-Company Disputes. Complex Commercial Transactions. Breakthrough Outcomes. We advise businesses on mission-critical decisions, protect equity and intellectual property, and negotiate successful resolutions to high-stakes disputes and transactions.
Own your ideas and work product; protect your IP from third party claims and wrongful disclosure. Nate Kelly has been recognized as one of the best attorneys in California under 40 every year since 2016.
Nate Kelly is a uniquely qualified small-cap business and startup specialist, with extensive contract drafting and contract negotiation expertise. Our goal is to create leverage, reduce risk, and preserve upside.
Straightforward and comprehensive business set-up done right by a startup specialist. Nate Kelly's expertise in corporate finance and organization has been recognized by SuperLawyers magazine, which has named him one of the top Business Attorneys in California since 2016.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Litigation
60%
16 years | 211 cases
Business
15%
17 years | 228 cases
Contracts and Agreements
15%
17 years | 819 cases
Corporate and Incorporation
5%
17 years | 308 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 585-795 per hour
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in California for 17 years
State: California
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Nate Kelly
(310) 228-6216
Fax
9100 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 725E, Beverly Hills, CA, 90212
natekelly.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Nate online.
Nate Kelly's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
30 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (30)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Business (15)
Contracts & Agreements (9)
Lawsuits & Disputes (5)
Intellectual Property (4)
Corporate & Incorporation (3)
Employment & Labor (2)
Partnership (2)
Debt Settlement (1)
Entertainment (1)
Landlord & Tenant (1)
Limited Liability Company (LLC) (1)
Mergers & Acquisitions (1)
Real Estate (1)
Tax (1)
Showing 6 - 10 of 30 reviews
Posted by Ian | December 09, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Business
Highly recommend Nate!
I was in the process of a business dissolution/breakup when my former business partner hired a major law firm and presented me with a long and complex contract that was frankly out of my wheelhouse. Nate quickly identified numerous issues with the contract (that I wouldn't have on my own), which was...
Posted by Kevin | May 31, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Outstanding lawyer who communicates well and gets results.
From the very first conversation I had with Nate I remember feeling almost frustrated with what the potential outcome may be. In hindsight, he was just being extremely honest and letting me know all the different directions the case could head. He far exceeded my expectations and I would highly ...
Nate Kelly
Replied last June 06, 2024Thanks KT! I am glad you are pleased with the result we were able to achieve! Best, Nate
Posted by Nathan | June 17, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Contracts & Agreements
Extremely helpful
I have a full-time job but also consult. I asked Nate for help setting up a new contract and an agreement with my employer to avoid any bad IP ownership claims. Nate was extremely helpful not only in drafting changes to the agreements, but also in helping me to understand everyone else's motives and ...
Nate Kelly
Replied last June 20, 2023Thanks, Nathan. Great working with you. Call me anytime!
Posted by anonymous | January 22, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Business
10+ Year Executive / Startup Founder
Nate has been my go-to for everything startup and when losing is not an option. He coached me through a 6 figure negotiation where I received everything I was owed. He's also set up my businesses and assets perfectly for now proven success and protection. Resourceful, sharp and brilliant. I've alw...
Posted by anonymous | January 20, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate
I hired Nate to consult on a partnership agreement and he was fantastic
As a corporate attorney myself for over 12 years for Fox Corporation and an energy conglomerate I am extremely particular when it comes to outside counsel. (Side bar: as an attorney myself I don’t believe in self representation; in this transaction I was wearing a business hat and it was important to...
Nate Kelly's Lawyer Endorsements
"Nate is a rising star -- few have his communication abilities and his talent. I highly recommend him."
"Nate is a fantastic attorney to whom I have referred clients in the past for various matters. Each such client has been pleased with Nate's hard work, dedication, and insight."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have worked with Mr. Kelly on several occasions and am amazed by his knowledge of intellectual property, contract and business law. Mr. Kelly has a unique ability to handle complex business issues and has been particularly helpful when advising start-up companies."
"It has been a pleasure working with Nate. He is professional, hardworking, and very knowledgeable in the areas of IP law and securities. He has been and continues to be a great mentor and teacher, and he is a strong advocate for his clients."
"Nate is a bright, energetic and highly knowledgable attorney. I regularly refer business clients to him and am glad to have him as a resource."
"I have known Nate for many years. He is a smart and capable attorney who is passionate about his work. He strives to achieve the best results for his clients. I endorse Nate highly."
"When you find yourself in need of a litigation attorney it is important to retain a lawyer who is competent, knowledgeable and tenacious. Mr. Kelly is well respected in the legal community for those reasons."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have worked on a couple matters with Nathaniel and was professional, knowledgeable and proved to give great counsel. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Nate on a few cases and have found him to be professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with."
"I worked with Attorney Kelly on a lawsuit involving difficult circumstances. I was impressed by his desire to go to great lengths to provide client satisfaction, even under tough circumstances. He clearly has a lot of heart and wants to do a great job for clients. He showed he really cares about clients, and is creative in finding ways to help. I enjoyed working with him and believe that clients will as well."
"I worked with Mr. Kelly analyzing a complicated copyright infringement litigation matter involving a litigious corporation and a blockbuster film. His attention to detail and razor sharp analytical skills streamlined our litigation strategy. I would recommend Mr. Kelly to anyone seeking a top notch attorney who can understand the complex issues attendant to high-stakes litigation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Nate is a hardworking, very intelligent attorney. He handles a wide variety of cases, and does them well. I fully endorse him."
"I endorse the work Mr. Kelly performed preparing a contract. The contract was an international distribution agreement with exclusivity terms. He performed the work in a timely manner, and took into account many of the unique needs of my client's business."
"I endorse this lawyer. Nathaniel is exceptionally bright, a wonderful person to work alongside, and a consumate pragmatist. These characteristics combine to make him a stellar attorney."
"Nate is an intelligent and creative attorney. I highly recommend Nate to anyone seeking both an effective and personable attorney."
Jonathan Vivona
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Elan Raffel
Litigation lawyer
Daniel Wayne
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Michael Coleman
Appeals lawyer
Daniel Perlman
DUI and DWI lawyer
Jeffrey Stivers
Family lawyer
Anoush Hakimi
Real estate lawyer
Aaron Aftergood
Contracts and agreements lawyer
Kenneth Kronstadt
Litigation lawyer
Timothy Owen
Litigation lawyer
Todd Friedland
Intellectual property lawyer
R.J. Manuelian
Criminal defense lawyer
Rabeh Soofi
Litigation lawyer
Adam Gauthier
Estate planning lawyer
Jonathan Kashani
Personal injury lawyer
Cambria Lisonbee
Criminal defense lawyer
Joel Farar
Slip and fall accident lawyer
Diana Friedland
Employment and labor lawyer
Jack Siegel
Litigation lawyer
Joshua Upin
Real estate lawyer
Experience
Honors
2026
America’s Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators, America’s Top 100
2026
Super Lawyer, Southern California Super Lawyers
2025
America’s Top 100 Bet-the-Company Litigators, America’s Top 100
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Rising Star, Southern California Super Lawyers
2022
Rising Star, Northern California Super Lawyers
2021
Rising Star, Northern California, SuperLawyers
2021
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2021
Rising Star, Southern California, Super Lawyers
2020
Rising Star, Southern California, Super Lawyers
2020
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2019
Rising Star, Southern California, Super Lawyers Magazine
2019
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Southern California, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Northern California, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, Northern California, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, Southern California, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, Southern California, Super Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, Northern California, Super Lawyers
2006
American Jurisprudence Award, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
2006
Merit Scholarship, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
2005
Dean’s Scholar Graduate, University of Maryland, College Park
2005
Merit Scholarship, University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
Work Experience
2009 - Present
Owner, Law Offices of Nate Kelly
2009 - 2010
Supervising Discovery Attorney - Securities Class Action, Glancy & Binkow
2007 - 2009
Attorney, Kaye Scholer LLP
2006 - 2006
Law Clerk, Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA)
Associations
2016 - Present
University of Southern California Alumni AssociationAmbassador
2009 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaAttorney Member
2004 - Present
Phi Beta KappaMember
American Bar Association
Attorney Member
Beverly Hills Bar Association
Attorney Member
2017 - 2018
Delegation to the CCBAVice Chair
2016 - 2019
Bar Association of San Francisco, Barristers ClubIntellectual Property Section Executive Committee Member
2016 - 2019
Conference of California Bar AssociationsExecutive Committee Member, BASF Delegation
2016 - 2019
University of Southern California Law School Bay Area Alumni AssociationChair
2015 - 2019
Bar Association of San FranciscoMember
2015 - 2016
Lawyers in MENSAMember
2009 - 2014
CALIFORNIA YOUNG LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (CYLA)Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Pineapple Express Denies Fraud Claims From Multiple Lawsuits
Coachella Sues Moechella, Saying the DC Protests Infringe on the Music Festival’s Trademark
(Unresolved)
The Chainsmokers Limited, Mood-Altering Shades With Futuremood
Major Endorsement / Investment Deal
Lil Yachty Is Latest Investor As Sunglasses Brand Futuremood Expands Its Pop Culture Lens
Major Endorsement
Complex Business Litigation / Derivative Action
Court Approved Settlement
Data Company v. Silicon Valley Unicorn
$900,000 Settlement
Contractor v. Former Employer (Securities Co)
Settled for $140,000 – 140% of claim.
Budhraja et al v. Paliwal et al
More than $300,000 recovered – 110% of claim.
Cleary Canadian v. Clearly Kombucha
Summary judgment of dilution claim; settled infringement claim with client retaining rights to Clearly Kombucha mark.
Securities Fraud Litigation
Settlement achieved 100% of value
Breach of Contract
Settlement - return of monies paid
RenewAge v. Enlightened Energy et al
Money judgment; Closure of competing business.
Trademark Defense
Favorable Settlement - Client maintains mark
Trade Secret Dispute
Favorable Settlement in favor of client in amount equal to fair licensing fee plus attorney's fees
National Distribution Agreement
Contract Completed.
International Franchise Agreement
Successful Completion of International Franchise Agreement
Business Client v. Former Employee
Settlement - cease and desist along with damages.
Education
2008
University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2005
University of Maryland, College Park
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
Creators Network Lunch and Learn with Nate Kelly, Esq.
Get Paid Faster
2014
The Great Debasers Podcast
The Law of Jerry MaGuire
Publications
2016
UpCounsel blog
Why You Need a Lawyer for Contract Management
2016
UpCounsel blog
How to Protect your Company’s Intellectual Property
2009
North American Clean Energy
The Politics of Solar Siting
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Wanted to know if I get fired for not signing an NDA do I need to sign termination papers or can I just walk out?
21 Feb 2024
Q&A
Can a lawyer form a single member LLC? If not, what type of corporation can single lawyer form?
25 Sep 2015
Q&A
Can a copyright owner sue for infringement after the infringing content is removed?
20 Jan 2015