Atty. Kurt A. Kappes

Atty. Kurt A. Kappes

Kurt A. Kappes has four decades of lead trial experience in many complex litigation cases, including: class actions, commercial claims, trade secrets and employee mobility, computer fraud, non-compete, unfair competition, and Business and Professions Code Section 17200 actions.

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Profile Summary

About Kurt A. Kappes at a glance

Kurt A. Kappes is a Shareholder based in Sacramento, California, practicing at Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Their practice focuses on personal injury, employment, class action, trade secrets, and litigation. Educated at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law (J.D., 1986) and Butler University (B.A., 1983). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Professional & Community Involvement •fellow, American Bar Foundation •Member, American Bar Association. Serves clients in Sacramento, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Kurt A. Kappes has four decades of lead trial experience in many complex litigation cases, including: class actions, commercial claims, trade secrets and employee mobility, computer fraud, non-compete, unfair competition, and Business and Professions Code Section 17200 actions
  • He has also represented clients in labor and employment issues, including advisory matters, trade secret audits, contracts, discrimination claims, whistleblower cases, and wrongful termination litigation
  • Recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Stand Out Lawyer for several years, by Best Lawyers for several years in Litigation and Labor and Employment Lawyers, and by Super Lawyers magazine on the Northern California’s Super Lawyers list, Kurt has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the California Supreme Court, and the Third District Court of Appeals
  • He has also represented clients before the United States Supreme Court, as well as in administrative hearings, arbitrations (single and panel), writ proceedings, jury trials, and bench trials
  • As an Adjunct Professor, Visiting Professor, and Visiting Lecturer in Law at King Hall School of Law, University of California, Davis, Kurt taught a course in trade secrets and employee mobility for nearly a decade
  • Concentrations •Trade secrets/unfair competition/employee mobility •Commercial litigation •Labor and employment •Business torts •Contract disputes Recognition & Leadership Awards & Accolades •Team Member, World Intellectual Property Review (WIPR), USA Trade Secrets Rankings, 2025 •Team Member, a Law360 “Product Liability Practice Group of the Year,” 2021-2022 •Listed, 'Top Lawyer,' Sacramento magazine •Employment & Labor •Business Litigation •Litigation - Commercial •Trade Secrets •Senior fellow, Litigation Counsel of America •Member, Trial Law Institute •Member, Diversity Law Institute •Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Northern California Super Lawyers •Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2025-2026 •Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Trade Secrets, 2020-2025 •Recommended Lawyer, 2023-2025 •Listed, Thomson Reuters, 'Stand-Out Lawyers,' 2023-2026 •Selected, Sacramento Business Journal, 'Best of the Bar' •Team Member, a Law360 'Employment Practice Group of the Year' •Team Member, a Law360 'Appellate Practice Group of the Year' •Team Member, U.S
  • News - Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms Edition, 'Law Firm of the Year,' Banking & Finance - Litigation •Rated, AV Preeminent

Practice Areas Explained

Kurt A. Kappes's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Kurt A. Kappes handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

Kurt A. Kappes is one of 238,048 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in California →

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Kurt A. Kappes is one of 151,622 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in California →

Class Action

Kurt A. Kappes is one of 23,998 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in California →

Trade Secrets

Kurt A. Kappes is one of 6,133 trade secrets attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trade secrets attorneys in California →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

Kurt A. Kappes is one of 409,070 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in California

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Sacramento are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Sacramento or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Kurt A. Kappes

Where is Kurt A. Kappes's law office located?
Kurt A. Kappes's law practice is located in Sacramento, California. The firm is Greenberg Traurig, LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Kurt A. Kappes handle?
Kurt A. Kappes focuses on personal injury, employment, class action, trade secrets, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
Where did Kurt A. Kappes go to law school?
Kurt A. Kappes earned their education at (J.D., 1986); (B.A., 1983).
How can I contact Kurt A. Kappes for a consultation?
You can contact Kurt A. Kappes directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Kurt A. Kappes received?
Kurt A. Kappes's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- 1986
B.A.
Butler University
- 1983

Awards

AV Preeminent

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