Practice Areas
Admissions
Email: kchamp@messner.com
Mr. Kelly Champ graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, and thereafter practiced at prominent international and national law firms. Kelly has litigated high-stakes commercial litigation matters, ranging from single plaintiff actions to complex litigation and class action defense. He has experience in employment defense, contract disputes, Anti-SLAPP, partnership and corporate dissolutions, commercial builder’s risk insurance policy coverage disputes, and antitrust litigation. Mr. Champ has also advised on technology transactions involving cutting-edge issues of data privacy and security, licensing, intellectual property, and related professional services.
Kelly has counseled a broad range of clients ranging from Fortune 500 clients, including high-profile entertainment companies and high net worth individuals, to emerging technology startups in Silicon Valley. Kelly has successfully defended numerous cases where plaintiffs brought claims in excess of $100 million. In doing so, Kelly has gained extensive experience handling all phases of litigation, including appeals.
Prior to his legal career, Mr. Champ was a Corporal in the Marine Corps (Security Forces and Infantry) and was a member of the Recapture Tactics Team responsible for recapturing compromised structures containing nuclear warheads, and then operated as a vehicle commander for mounted patrols in Al Asad, Iraq, providing security for the base’s outer perimeter.
- University of California, Berkeley – B.A. Philosophy (2013)
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law (2016)
- Orange County Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Mensa – Orange County
- University of California, Berkeley, School of Law – Written and Oral Advocacy: Best Oral Argument, Section I
- University of California, Berkeley – Osher Reentry Scholarship
- United States Marine Corps (2003 – 2007)
- Infantry and Security Forces — Naval Base Kitsap, Washington (State)
- Camp Pendleton, CA; Al Asad, Iraq
Representative Matters
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Obtained full defense verdict for clients, including costs of suit, at conclusion of bench trial in action where plaintiffs sought ~$3.5 million in restitution for an alleged violation of a non-compete provision in connection with $140-million acquisition.
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Successfully won on all claims and awarded attorneys’ fees at conclusion of arbitration involving business divorce of movie production company and dispute of future projected earnings, including claims of breach of fiduciary duties and breach of contract. All movie ownership rights and future payments and royalties awarded to client.
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Successfully defended movie production company and defeated claims by directors and actors claiming copyrights to scripts and also defeated breach of contract claims after eight-figure movie deal went awry.
