Hoge Fenton Elevates Three Attorneys to Shareholder

We are pleased to announce that attorneys Jennifer M. Protas, Michael T. Bonetto, and Steven J. Kahn have been elevated to shareholders, effective January 1, 2016.

Jenn Protas, based in Hoge Fenton’s Silicon Valley office, is a member of our employment practice group. Our employment team assists business clients of all size and industry sectors with advice and counsel and litigation.

Joining the firm in September 2007, Jenn began her legal career with Hoge Fenton as a first-year associate. With over eight years of employment experience, Jenn handles matters related to wage and hour advice and litigation, employee leave issues, personnel management, HR investigations and trainings, and defense of wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation litigation.

Jenn is a committed supporter of the community.  She was honored by the Santa Clara County Bar Association’s Diversity Committee as one of the recipients of the Unsung Heroes Award in 2013. Jenn was also selected as the Santa Clara County Bar Association’s 2011 Barrister of the Year.

“Over the years, Hoge Fenton has maintained a firm commitment to our clients and community.  Our diversity in clients and attorneys is a reflection of the community we serve,” said Jenn. “I am proud to contribute to Hoge Fenton as a shareholder.”

“Jenn exemplifies excellence in client service, and the attention to the ‘big picture’ as well as the details that Hoge Fenton is known for,” said Sarju A. Naran, chair of the employment group at Hoge Fenton. “We are excited to welcome Jenn as a shareholder. Her contributions to our clients and to the community have been, and will continue to be, immeasurable.”

Based in both Hoge Fenton’s Silicon Valley and Tri-Valley offices, Michael Bonetto is a member of the firm’s family law practice. He joined the firm in October 2010.

As a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Family Law, Michael has exclusively practiced family law since his admission to the bar in 2007. He is experienced in all facets of family law, including spousal and/or child support issues, complex property division, business valuation, separate property tracing, child custody and visitation, and prosecuting and defending domestic violence restraining orders. Michael is also experienced in drafting complex premarital and post-marital agreements.

Selected to “Northern California Rising Stars” in 2015 by Law & Politics and San Francisco Magazine, Michael is recognized for his work by his peers.

“The ability to provide comprehensive and first-rate legal services to clients is my highest concern,” said Michael. “I am thrilled that we offer this benefit to clients at Hoge Fenton and to join a high-caliber group of attorneys as a shareholder.”

“Michael has shown unwavering dedication to Hoge Fenton’s clients. As an exemplary strategist and litigator, we are pleased to have Michael join us,” said Natasha M. Parrett, chair of the firm’s family law group. “Hoge Fenton is dedicated to providing quality legal services and to being trusted advisors in our community. Michael’s elevation to shareholder is another way in which we show that commitment.”

Located primarily in our Tri-Valley office, Steven Kahn is a member of the firm’s real estate and litigation practice groups. He joined the firm in August 2014, as part of a successful merger with the well-respected San Ramon firm of Bardellini, Straw, Cavin & Bupp, where he was a partner.

Steven focuses on real estate and business litigation, title insurance coverage, escrows, and real estate transactions. He represents individuals, businesses, regional and national lenders, title insurers, escrow companies, and real estate professionals throughout Northern California, with a particular emphasis on issues of ownership, use and control of real estate, and problem solving in real estate transactions.

Acknowledged for his work as a top lawyer under the age of 40 practicing for 10 years or less, Steven was chosen in 2013 and 2014 for Super Lawyers “Northern California Rising Stars,” by his peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics and San Francisco Magazine.

“Having collaborated with several excellent Hoge Fenton attorneys when I was a certified law student at Santa Clara University’s Alexander Community Law Center, I am proud to be a shareholder with a group of legal professionals that I have long admired,” said Steven.  “Hoge Fenton’s high-caliber attorneys, outstanding reputation, and commitment to the community make it an ideal platform for best serving clients.”

“We couldn’t be happier to have Steven become a shareholder,” said Sean A. Cottle, Hoge Fenton’s real estate chair. “During his short time with the firm, Steven has already proven himself to be a top-notch litigator and formidable attorney, having achieved impressive results for a variety of our clients.  Finding attorneys who share our commitment to excellence in our profession and dedication to our community is how we maintain Hoge Fenton’s core values.”

“Hoge Fenton is committed to growing the breadth and depth of our expertise by attracting and retaining excellent lawyers who are also good people. We find that clients value those traits,” said Daniel W. Ballesteros, managing shareholder at Hoge Fenton. “The addition of our three new shareholders reinforces our dedication to our clients and to providing exceptional legal services.”

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Hoge Fenton is a multi-service law firm, with focused practitioners who can meet nearly all of our clients’ needs – under one roof. Our IP lawyers are not corporate lawyers who dabble in IP – they are IP lawyers, period. Our employment lawyers are employment law experts and our family law lawyers are family law specialists. Our breadth of expertise means that one of our lawyers can simply walk down the hall and speak with other subject matter experts. If a tax issue arises in the course of a commercial real estate transaction, we’ve got it covered. If a real estate issue arises in the course of a merger deal, we’ve got it handled.

And, as a member of Mackrell International, a premier network of independent law firms in 60 countries, our reach extends around the world. This network provides our clients with access to vetted and trusted local counsel throughout the U.S. and across the globe, allowing us to seamlessly assist our clients in San Jose, California and San Jose, Costa Rica. Mackrell International has been named a Top Ranked Chambers Global Leading Law Firm Network.