Kathleen Mahan is a Partner at Hinckley Allen and a business litigator known for her success as an advisor and advocate for her clients. She counsels both plaintiffs and defendants, representing them in complex business matters involving organizational restructuring and corporate governance, non-compete conflicts, contracting, trade secret protections, and protracted property disputes. Kate’s knowledge, influence, and powers of persuasion help clients avoid dire circumstances and, in some cases, costly legal ramifications. She is considered a leader in a wide range of intellectual property matters and was a key attorney in one of New Hampshire’s precedent-setting trade secret cases.
Augmenting her extensive business litigation practice, Kate also represents physicians and other licensed professionals in proceedings before administrative agencies and licensing boards, including the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC).
Kate regularly handles appeals before the New Hampshire Supreme Court. In addition to her practice in the New Hampshire Business and Commercial Dispute Court, Kate represents clients in all New Hampshire and Massachusetts state courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings. She also represents clients in the United States District Court of New Hampshire, the United States District Court of Massachusetts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
In 2024, Kate served as President of the New Hampshire Bar Association (NHBA), becoming the first woman in a decade to hold the role. Her leadership within the NHBA has included service on the Board of Governors, including a three-year term as Governor-at-Large, as well as participation on several statewide committees and the New Hampshire Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board. Kate was also appointed to the Federal Court Advisory Committee for the District of New Hampshire. In addition, she serves as a trustee of the New Hampshire Supreme Court Society and is a frequent speaker on litigation and trial-related topics.
Kate is one of the preeminent lawyers in New England with groundbreaking accomplishments that pave the way for women in law. She is ranked as one of Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for the category of Litigation: General Commercial and has been named Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Intellectual Property, and Trade Secrets Law, as well as Super Lawyers, New Hampshire and Super Lawyers Rising Stars.