Lin Y. Chan, General Attorney in San Francisco, California
Over 18 years of legal practice · focused on General and Litigation
San Francisco, CA
Practicing general in San Francisco since 2008.
- 18+
- Years practicing
- 1
- Bar admission
Practices in
Are you Lin Y. Chan?
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Quick answer
Lin Y. Chan is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on General and Litigation. Lin has over 18 years of legal experience.
- Based in
- San Francisco, CALIFORNIA
- Experience
- over 18 years
- Known for
- General · Litigation
- Handles General and Litigation matters from San Francisco, CALIFORNIA.
- Over 18 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Antitrust Law (2026).
About Lin Y. Chan: Lin Y. Chan is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on General and Litigation. Lin has over 18 years of legal experience.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Lin takes on
Lin concentrates on general and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Lin handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
General cases in San Francisco, California
Lin takes general matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Lin agrees to represent you.
Litigation cases in San Francisco, California
Lin takes litigation matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Lin agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Lin Y. Chan — general lawyer in San Francisco
Lin Y. Chan is an attorney based in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA. The practice focuses on General and Litigation. Lin has over 18 years of legal experience.
A partner in Lieff Cabraser’s San Francisco office, Lin Chan’s successes include representing consumers (indirect purchasers) seeking justice for an alleged conspiracy to fix the prices of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Consumer plaintiffs achieved settlements totaling over $113 million.
She also represented California consumers and third party payors charging that brand name and generic drug manufacturers conspired to restrain competition in the sale of Bayer’s blockbuster antibiotic drug Ciprofloxacin (Cipro). In 2017, plaintiffs in the Cipro case settled with all remaining defendants, bringing the total recovery to $399 million. Lin won AAI’s Antitrust Enforcement award for “Outstanding Antitrust Achievement by a Young Lawyer” for her work on the Cipro drug antitrust cases. She also shared Lieff Cabraser’s team award from the AAI’s Antitrust Enforcement award for “Outstanding Private Practice Antitrust Achievement” for their work on the Cipro case.
Lin also represented direct purchasers of titanium dioxide against titanium dioxide manufacturers for conspiring to fix prices. The case settled on the eve of trial in 2013 for $163 million.
Lin currently serves as co-lead counsel representing consumers who allege that the two leading manufacturers and distributors of consumer telescopes conspired to fix prices and monopolize the consumer telescope market in the United States.
Lin currently serves as a Lawyer Representative (2025-26 Co-Chair) for the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council and on the Board of Directors of the Bar Association of San Francisco. She served as 2023 President of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area. Lin was the inaugural recipient of AAI and COSAL’s Hollis Salzman Memorial Leadership Award in 2021, awarded to a leader within the plaintiffs’ antitrust bar who has advanced opportunities for other women and attorneys from underrepresented groups. She also served as Immediate Past President of COSAL and a member of the AAI’s Advisory Board. Lin is Lieff Cabraser’s Hiring Partner and leads the firm’s Lawyers of Color Committee.
Prior to joining Lieff Cabraser, Lin litigated employment class actions at Goldstein, Demchak, Baller, Borgen & Dardarian. She also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Damon J. Keith of the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals from 2007 to 2008.
Lin received her J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2007. While at Stanford, Lin was the Editor-in-Chief of the Stanford Journal of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
Working with Lin on a general matter
A partner in Lieff Cabraser’s San Francisco office, Lin Chan’s successes include representing consumers (indirect purchasers) seeking justice for an alleged conspiracy to fix the prices of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. Consumer plaintiffs achieved settlements totaling over $113 million. She also represented California consumers and third party payors charging that brand name and generic…
Who Lin represents
Lin reviews new inquiries case-by-case for general and litigation matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Stanford University
J.D. · 2008
Jurisdictions
Lin's state bar admissions
California, The Stat
2008 · ACTIVE
Lin studied at J.D. in Stanford University.
Law school and academic background
Lin completed J.D. in Stanford University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Lin runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Lin has received 20 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Best Lawyers in America — Antitrust Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Antitrust
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in field of “Litigation – Antitrust,” 2021-2026
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2019-2026
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers,” Lawdragon, 2025, 2026
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America,” Lawdragon, 2025, 2026
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2018-2025
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Super Lawyer for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2019-2025
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Unity Award,” Minority Bar Coalition, Asian American Bar Association, 2024
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers, 2023
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Top 50 Women Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers, 2023
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Top Antitrust Lawyers in California,” Daily Journal, 2021
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Rising Star for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2015-2018
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “40 and Under Hot List,” Benchmark Litigation, 2018
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Outstanding Antitrust Achievement by a Young Lawyer,” American Antitrust Institute, 2017
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Outstanding Private Practice Antitrust Achievement,” American Antitrust Institute, 2017
2026
Best Lawyers in America — “Rising Star for Competition Law,” Law360, 2017
2026
Legal awards and honors
Best Lawyers in America — Antitrust Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Antitrust (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Labor and Employment (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in field of “Litigation – Antitrust,” 2021-2026 (2026).
Locations
Lin Y. Chan's office in San Francisco
Lin's primary office is at 275 Battery Street, Suite 2900, San Francisco, California, 94111. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Lin Y. Chan
Lin has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Lin Y. Chan — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new general attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Lin usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Lin charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Lin's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Lin will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a general attorney in San Francisco, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many general matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Lin
Lin discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in general practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every general matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Lin confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Lin's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many general practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Lin Y. Chan
How much does it cost to hire Lin for a general case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Lin walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Lin offer a free consultation?
Lin charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Lin's office. Some general attorneys offer free consults — check Lin's current terms during booking.
How long do general cases in California typically take?
Simple general matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Lin gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Lin take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?
Lin is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Lin will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Lin?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Lin will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Lin accepting new general clients right now?
Lin's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
General attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California
Lin handles general matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified general attorneys in that community.
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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