Ian Kanig

Ian Kanig litigates both defense-side and plaintiff-side cases in federal and state court.  He focuses on complex civil litigation, commercial disputes, white collar criminal cases, and civil rights actions.  Ian represents technology companies, original equipment manufacturers, executives, and incarcerated prisoners alike.  His approach to cases prioritizes creative thinking, persuasive writing, and a commitment to using civil procedure to his clients’ advantage throughout.

Ian currently represents Google in a federal consumer class action alleging fraud, privacy, and contract claims regarding data collection practices on Android phones.  He continues to represent Lyft in its driver-classification litigation, which has spawned numerous private and government enforcement actions.  Ian also recently secured a large six-figure settlement for an inmate who was the victim of staff sexual abuse and retaliation at a federal minimum-security prison in California, which preceded several criminal indictments of prison officials and an Associated Press investigation. 

In the past, Ian has represented a variety of other clients, including an American lidar manufacturer in an employee mobility and trade secret matter, a Japanese stem cell manufacturer in a contract dispute with a joint venturer, and a law firm partner in an arbitration with his former law firm.  Ian has also garnered significant trial experience defending an English software executive accused of wire and securities fraud in a three-month long criminal trial.  He is particularly proud of representing the American Civil Liberties Union in its constitutional challenge to the Trump administration’s “Muslim ban.”  That lawsuit followed his work with Iranian immigrants at San Francisco International Airport in the immediate aftermath of that executive action, for which he was later featured in San Francisco Attorney Magazine.

Ian began his career at O’Melveny & Myers in San Francisco in 2013.  He then clerked for District Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. in the Northern District of California.  In law school, Ian externed for Senior District Judge Susan Y. Illston, as well as the Pro Se (Civil Rights) Department, both in the Northern District.