Kelly Phair McCarthy, Business Attorney in San Francisco, California
Over 25 years of legal practice · focused on Business, IP, and Real Estate
Partner
San Francisco, CA
Practicing business in San Francisco since 2001.
- 25+
- Years practicing
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you Kelly Phair McCarthy?
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Quick answer
Kelly Phair McCarthy is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Business, IP, and Real Estate. Kelly has over 25 years of legal experience.
- Based in
- San Francisco, CA
- Experience
- over 25 years
- Known for
- Business · IP · Real Estate
- Handles Business, IP, and Real Estate matters from San Francisco, CA.
- Over 25 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
About Kelly Phair McCarthy: Kelly Phair McCarthy is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Business, IP, and Real Estate. Kelly has over 25 years of legal experience.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Kelly takes on
Kelly concentrates on business, ip, and real estate. Each area below outlines the kind of case Kelly handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Business
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IP
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Real Estate
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Business cases in San Francisco, California
Kelly takes business matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kelly agrees to represent you.
IP cases in San Francisco, California
Kelly takes ip matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kelly agrees to represent you.
Real Estate cases in San Francisco, California
Kelly takes real estate matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kelly agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Kelly Phair McCarthy — business lawyer in San Francisco
Kelly Phair McCarthy is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Business, IP, and Real Estate. Kelly has over 25 years of legal experience.
Kelly Phair McCarthy is a lawyer practicing business transactions, intellectual property, intellectual property law. Kelly received a B.A. degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1998, and has been licensed for 25 years. Kelly practices at Sideman & Bancroft LLP in San Francisco, CA.
How Kelly handles business matters
Kelly Phair McCarthy is a lawyer practicing business transactions, intellectual property, intellectual property law. Kelly received a B.A. degree from Loyola Marymount University in 1998, and has been licensed for 25 years. Kelly practices at Sideman & Bancroft LLP in San Francisco, CA.
Who Kelly represents
Kelly reviews new inquiries case-by-case for business, ip, and real estate matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Hastings College of the Law, University of California
J.D. · 2001
Loyola Marymount University
B.A. · 1998
Jurisdictions
Kelly's state bar admissions
California
2001 · ACTIVE
Kelly studied at J.D. in Hastings College of the Law, University of California and B.A. in Loyola Marymount University.
Law school and academic background
Kelly completed J.D. in Hastings College of the Law, University of California and B.A. in Loyola Marymount University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Kelly runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Affiliations
Kelly's professional memberships and bar associations
State Bar of California
membership
Locations
Kelly Phair McCarthy's office in San Francisco
Kelly's primary office is at One Embarcadero Center, Twenty-Second Fl., San Francisco, CA, 94111. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Kelly Phair McCarthy
Kelly has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Kelly Phair McCarthy — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new business attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Kelly usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Kelly charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Kelly's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Kelly will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a business attorney in San Francisco, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many business matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Kelly
Kelly discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in business practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every business matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Kelly confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Kelly's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many business practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Kelly Phair McCarthy
How much does it cost to hire Kelly for a business case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Kelly walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Kelly offer a free consultation?
Kelly charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Kelly's office. Some business attorneys offer free consults — check Kelly's current terms during booking.
How long do business cases in California typically take?
Simple business matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Kelly gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Kelly take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?
Kelly is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Kelly will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Kelly?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Kelly will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Kelly accepting new business clients right now?
Kelly's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Business attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California
Kelly handles business matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified business attorneys in that community.
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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