Helen is an experienced business lawyer who represents clients in commercial transactions involving cutting edge intellectual property (IP) and technology issues.  She brings a practical, business-oriented approach to advising companies ranging from global public companies to emerging start-up ventures in developing, licensing, selling, acquiring, protecting and commercially exploiting intellectual property and technology assets.

She also devotes a significant portion of her practice to advising clients in a wide variety of industries on privacy, data security and ecommerce matters. Helen works with companies to assess their legal obligations and risks and helps design and implement practical, cost-effective plans for mitigating such risks. Helen conducts numerous CLE presentations to update in-house counsel on changes in privacy and data security law.  

In addition to her law practice, Helen is Adjunct Professor at Santa Clara University School of Law, where she teaches J.D. and LL.M. level classes in Technology and Intellectual Property Licensing. 

Prior to joining Carr McClellan, Helen was an attorney in the Silicon Valley office of Greenberg Traurig, LLP.

Special Expertise

• Technology licensing
• M&As, financings and valuation of IP in business transactions
• E-commerce, privacy and data security

Languages

  • Advanced German
  • Intermediate French and Greek

Contact Information

Helen A. Christakos

P: 650-342-9600
F: 650-342-7685

Practice Areas

Academic Credentials

  • J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall)
    Law and Technology Certificate
    Annual Review Editor, Executive Board Member, Berkeley Technology Law Journal
  • Fulbright Scholar, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
  • M. Phil., Cambridge University, Cambridge, U.K. in International Relations
    Margaret C. Peabody Fellowship
  • B.A., Vassar College, in Political Science and German
    Phi Beta Kappa, Departmental Honors in Political Science – Honors Thesis, Departmental Honors in German – Honors Thesis, General Honors

Expertise and affiliations

  • Representative Matters
    • Drafted and negotiated numerous software development and licensing, Internet advertising, OEM, VAR, teaming, sales representative, distribution, revenue sharing, hardware development and leasing, services, consulting, website and mobile app development and hosted services, volume purchase and sale, manufacturing, warehouse, content, intellectual property and technology licensing agreements.
    • Drafted and negotiated merger and acquisition (M&A), asset purchase and financing agreements, and; managed intellectual property, open source, privacy and data security due diligence processes.
    • Counseled numerous clients on privacy and data protection issues relating to targeted advertising and geographical location tracking.
    • Assisted clients in obtaining EU Safe Harbor Certification.
    • Counseled numerous clients regarding data security breach responses, including coordination of nationwide consumer notification and negotiation with state attorney generals.
    • Counseled numerous clients on Digital Millennium Copyright Act compliance and establishing company-wide notice and take down procedures.
    • Advised clients on compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards and the development of on-line contests and sweepstakes rules.
  • Professional Affiliations
    • American Bar Association | Science and Technology Law Section
    • Editorial Board Member, ABA/Section of Science & Technology Law's The SciTech Lawyer (2010 – present)
  • External Publications
    • Author, Companies Implement "Do Not Track" Mechanisms in Response to FTC, Legislative and Executive Branch Proposals, The Daily Journal, June 6, 2012
    • Data Security Law Sparks Concern, Business Insurance, April 5, 2010 (quoted)
    • Author, Changes in the Massachusetts Electronic Data Security Laws, IPFrontline, January 26, 2010
    • Co-author, Best Practice Guide for Protecting Minors on Social Networking Sites, Greenberg Traurig Alert, September 26, 2008
    • Author, WTO Panel on Section 110(5) of the U.S. Copyright Act, 17 Berkeley Technology Law Journal, 1, 595-611 (2002)
  • Recent Speaking Engagements
    • Speaker, "Privacy Law and Data Security Update," Southwest Marketing Research Association, May 7, 2013
    • “Best Practices for Internet Marketing and Advertising:  How to Comply with Privacy & Data Security Laws,” Rotary Club of Burlingame (June 18, 2012) and Rotary Club of Belmont (August 27, 2012)
    • “Privacy and Data Security Law in the United States and European Union:  How Proposed Changes to the Law May Impact Your Business,” On-going in-house CLE presentations
    • Keynote Speaker, “Update: Privacy and Data Security Law in the United States and European Union,” Research Now Annual Meeting, April 12, 2012
    • Keynote Speaker, “Privacy and Data Security Law in the United States and European Union,” Research Now Annual Meeting, July 15, 2011
    • Presenter, “Mobile and Social App Symposium,” Greenberg Traurig CLE Lecture Series, April 4, 2011
    • Panelist, “Online Privacy Panel,” ACLU, Santa Clara University Chapter, March 31, 2010

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