image description

Ian Kanig

Of Counsel

Ian Kanig is a trial and appellate litigator with over a decade of experience winning cases for plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts. Ian has handled a broad array of matters—from white-collar criminal defense to First Amendment advocacy—and now focuses on commercial and consumer disputes for technology companies that involve cutting-edge issues about the internet, smart devices, apps, and e-commerce. His approach to litigation prioritizes deep thinking, crisp writing, and a tactical command of civil procedure. Ian has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for Civil Litigation (Plaintiff and Defense) and a Best Lawyers Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation.

Ian has also cultivated an impactful pro bono practice, advocating for voting rights and incarcerated persons. He secured a large six-figure settlement for an inmate who was the victim of staff sexual abuse and retaliation at a federal prison in California, which led to an Associated Press investigation that ultimately resulted in the criminal indictment of several prison officials. He authored an amicus brief in the California Supreme Court advocating for strict limits on the use of pretrial detention on behalf of the Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice network. He has frequently worked alongside the ACLU in constitutional litigation challenging executive overreach, including in its challenge to the Trump administration’s “Muslim ban” and various matters for its Voting Rights Project.

Before joining Keker, Van Nest & Peters, Ian clerked for Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. During law school, he was an extern for Judge Susan Y. Illston and in the Pro Se (Civil Rights) Department of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Ian lives in the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco with his wife and spends time outside of work cycling, running, hiking, and attending concerts throughout the Bay Area.

Ian Kanig is a trial and appellate litigator with over a decade of experience winning cases for plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts. Ian has handled a broad array of matters—from white-collar criminal defense to First Amendment advocacy—and now focuses on commercial and consumer disputes for technology companies that involve cutting-edge issues about the internet, smart devices, apps, and e-commerce. His approach to litigation prioritizes deep thinking, crisp writing, and a tactical command of civil procedure. Ian has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for Civil Litigation (Plaintiff and Defense) and a Best Lawyers Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation.

Ian has also cultivated an impactful pro bono practice, advocating for voting rights and incarcerated persons. He secured a large six-figure settlement for an inmate who was the victim of staff sexual abuse and retaliation at a federal prison in California, which led to an Associated Press investigation that ultimately resulted in the criminal indictment of several prison officials. He authored an amicus brief in the California Supreme Court advocating for strict limits on the use of pretrial detention on behalf of the Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice network. He has frequently worked alongside the ACLU in constitutional litigation challenging executive overreach, including in its challenge to the Trump administration’s “Muslim ban” and various matters for its Voting Rights Project.

Before joining Keker, Van Nest & Peters, Ian clerked for Judge Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. During law school, he was an extern for Judge Susan Y. Illston and in the Pro Se (Civil Rights) Department of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Ian lives in the historic Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco with his wife and spends time outside of work cycling, running, hiking, and attending concerts throughout the Bay Area.

KVP Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.

08/15/2024

The 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America featured 25 KVP attorneys. Read more

Keker, Van Nest & Peters Announces New Partners and Of Counsel

01/17/2023

Keker, Van Nest & Peters is pleased to announce that the firm has elevated associates Bailey Heaps, Katie Lynn Joyce, and Chris Sun to Partners, and Kristin Hucek and Ian Kanig to Of Counsel, effective January 1, 2023. Read more

Lyft Drivers Lose Second Bid for Emergency Covid-19 Sick Pay

May 01, 2020

A group of Lyft drivers in California lost their latest bid to convince a state court judge to immediately reclassify them as employees with paid sick leave to help fight the spread of Covid-19. Read more

Another Judge Turns Back Lyft Driver Worker Reclassification Attempt Amid Pandemic

May 01, 2020

San Francisco Superior Judge Ethan Schulman denied a motion that would have reclassified Lyft drivers as employees, so that they can reap the state’s paid sick leave, agreeing with a federal judge who found that such a ruling would jeopardize drivers' access to federal coronavirus relief. Read more

Facebook Says Advertisers Can’t Sue Over False Metrics

June 19, 2017

Facebook Inc. asked a California federal judge on Monday to toss a putative class action alleging the company misled advertisers with false consumer viewing metrics. Read more

Keker, Van Nest & Peters Teams with ACLU to Fight Travel Ban

February 06, 2017

KVP attorneys and the ACLU are suing to block the Trump Administration’s Executive Order banning immigration and revoking visas for people from seven Muslim-majority nations. Read more

Note, “Sustainable Capitalism Through the Benefit Corporation,” 64 Hastings L.J. 863 (2013)