Melissa Miksch Klaerner, IP Attorney in San Francisco, California
Over 19 years of legal practice · focused on IP, Litigation, and Real Estate
AssociateatKeker, Van Nest & Peters LLP
San Francisco, CA
Practicing ip in San Francisco since 2007.
- 19+
- Years practicing
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you Melissa Miksch Klaerner?
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Quick answer
Melissa Miksch Klaerner is an associate based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on IP, Litigation, and Real Estate. Melissa has over 19 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP.
- Based in
- San Francisco, CA
- Experience
- over 19 years
- Known for
- IP · Litigation · Real Estate
- Handles IP, Litigation, and Real Estate matters from San Francisco, CA.
- Over 19 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
About Melissa Miksch Klaerner: Melissa Miksch Klaerner is an associate based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on IP, Litigation, and Real Estate. Melissa has over 19 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Melissa takes on
Melissa concentrates on ip, litigation, and real estate. Each area below outlines the kind of case Melissa handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
IP
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Litigation
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Real Estate
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IP cases in San Francisco, California
Melissa 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 Melissa agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Francisco, California
Melissa takes litigation 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 Melissa agrees to represent you.
Real Estate cases in San Francisco, California
Melissa 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 Melissa agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Melissa Miksch Klaerner — ip lawyer in San Francisco
Melissa Miksch Klaerner is an associate based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on IP, Litigation, and Real Estate. Melissa has over 19 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP.
Melissa Miksch Klaerner is a lawyer practicing litigation, intellectual property law. Melissa received a B.A. degree from University of Notre Dame in 2000, and has been licensed for 19 years. Melissa practices at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP in San Francisco, CA.
Working with Melissa on a ip matter
Melissa Miksch Klaerner is a lawyer practicing litigation, intellectual property law. Melissa received a B.A. degree from University of Notre Dame in 2000, and has been licensed for 19 years. Melissa practices at Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP in San Francisco, CA.
Clients Melissa works with
Melissa reviews new inquiries case-by-case for ip, litigation, and real estate matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Yale Law School
J.D. · 2006
University of Notre Dame
B.A. · 2000
Jurisdictions
Melissa's state bar admissions
California
2007 · ACTIVE
Melissa studied at J.D. in Yale Law School and B.A. in University of Notre Dame.
Law school and academic background
Melissa completed J.D. in Yale Law School and B.A. in University of Notre Dame. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Melissa runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Affiliations
Melissa's professional memberships and bar associations
State Bar of California
membership
Locations
Melissa Miksch Klaerner's office in San Francisco
Melissa's primary office is at 633 Battery St., San Francisco, CA, 94111-1809. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP
633 Battery St.
San Francisco, CA 94111-1809
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Client reviews of Melissa Miksch Klaerner
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Melissa Miksch Klaerner — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new ip attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Melissa usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Melissa charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Melissa'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; Melissa will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a ip attorney in San Francisco, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many ip 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 Melissa
Melissa discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in ip practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every ip 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. Melissa confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Melissa's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many ip practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Melissa Miksch Klaerner
How much does it cost to hire Melissa for a ip case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Melissa walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Melissa offer a free consultation?
Melissa charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Melissa's office. Some ip attorneys offer free consults — check Melissa's current terms during booking.
How long do ip cases in California typically take?
Simple ip 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. Melissa gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Melissa take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?
Melissa 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 — Melissa 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 Melissa?
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. Melissa will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Melissa accepting new ip clients right now?
Melissa's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
IP attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California
Melissa handles ip matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified ip 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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