Q&A: Karineh Khachatourian, KXT Law
Karineh Khachatourian is the ‘K’ in KXT Law, a new boutique IP commercial litigation firm based in Silicon Valley.
Khachatourian and fellow IP attorneys David Xue and Amir Tabarrok launched the firm this week (July 11) in Redwood, California.
The name KXT—which uses the first letters of their respective surnames—breaks convention with the typical approach to naming firms, and reflects their view that “a stagnant, traditional approach to law no longer meets the needs of clients and attorneys alike”.
“We have already practised together for almost a decade, starting at Duane Morris and then moving to Rimon,” says Khachatourian.
“Now, we are blazing our own trail. We are passionate and enthusiastic about protecting and promoting technology innovators—and that translates into results.”
Khachatourian, the firm’s managing partner, said the pandemic has irreversibly “disrupted the workplace and changed the way the community viewed the often tradition-bound legal industry”.
“This change opened the door for KXT Law to meet client demand by offering tailored services in a way like never before,” she says.
Khachatourian, who is a first-chair IP litigator and strategist focusing on a wide range of technologies, previously founded Duane Morris’ Silicon Valley office, where she was managing partner for nearly six years before managing Rimon’s office in the region.
Recognised in “The Silicon Valley Business Journal” among its Women of Influence, and in “The Recorder in its Women Leaders in Tech Law, Khachatourian was also awarded the Cheryl Bryson Leadership Award at Duane Morris for her significant contributions to women in the profession, including issues impacting the advancement of women lawyers.
Khachatourian’s father, Leon, is a professional Iranian-Armenian boxer, competing at the 1958 Asian Games and winning a bronze medal in the middleweight division.
“The fight was already ingrained long before I entered law school,” she says.
Khachatourian talks to for WIPR about her career.
You describe yourself as an ‘established rainmaker’ and ‘disrupter’. Why is that?
I have an established practice and client base that provides me with a certain amount of freedom in the profession and
How did you get into IP law?
I got hooked in law school and came out to California to follow my dream of becoming an IP litigator.
Have you faced any barriers in your career—and if so, how did you overcome them?
I think everyone in any career has faced barriers and I don’t know that I have overcome all of them. I work really hard, stay focused, and don’t let it get to me.
What is your biggest achievement in your career to date?
Opening my own law firm!
What is the most difficult part of your job?
Finding a work/life balance, particularly during the pandemic.
What advice would you give to those looking to pursue a similar career path?
Have a thick skin.
Who or what inspires you?
My father inspires me. He came to this country to give me a better life and I would have to say he achieved his goal.
What are the major issues facing diversity and inclusion in IP?
Implicit bias by its very nature is very difficult to address.
Is the legal profession/IP community doing enough to improve diversity?
Those who are purchasers of legal services have the most leverage to make a difference—the more they support diverse lawyers, the more improvements will be facilitated.
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