Kristie Prinz
Tech Business Lawyer Focusing on SaaS, Software, Digital Health, Health Tech, Tech Transactions
The Prinz Law Office was founded in 2004 by Silicon Valley business lawyer Kristie Prinz, whose practice focuses on the SaaS, software, technology, Internet, medical and health technology, digital health, biotechnology, and life sciences industries. Kristie is a tech business lawyer having more than 26 years of experience in representing start-ups and mid-market, privately held companies, as well as engineers, developers, IT service providers, inventors, and other business people in the SaaS, software, technology, health technology/digital health, and life sciences industry.
She is licensed to practice law in the states of California and Georgia.
Kristie’s clients are based not only in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area, but also throughout California and in developing tech hubs across the United States as well as worldwide. Clients that retain Kristie recognize that they need the technical expertise of an experienced business lawyer who understands technology and intellectual property to advise them on business deals.
Kristie has developed highly specialized expertise in the niche fields of SaaS, software licensing, tech and IP licensing (including patent, content, and data licensing), HaaS & IT, tech transactions, health technology & digital health, transactions, life science transactions & biotech transactions.
Kristie began her Silicon Valley career in the Palo Alto office of the highly regarded, New York-based, intellectual property firm of Pennie & Edmonds LLP, which had more than 200 attorneys and four offices nationwide when it closed its doors in December, 2003. Previously, Kristie practiced law in Atlanta, GA.
Biographical Information; Links
Kristie’s biographical information and website links are as follows:
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- Kristie D. Prinz
- Direct Dial Phone: 408.884.3577
- Resume
- Book an Appointment
- Personal Website: https://kristieprinz.com
- Linked In Page: https://linkedin.com/in/kristieprinz
- Vimeo Showcase
- Webinar Content Platform
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Education
Kristie is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Law in Nashville, Tennessee, where she received her J.D. in 1998, and she completed the Global Bioexecutive Program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business in 2005. She also a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, where she received a B.A summa cum laude in Political Science and Spanish in 1995, and she studied as an undergraduate student at the Universidad de Nebrissenssis in Madrid, Spain in 1993.
Business and Legal Affiliations
Kristie is a member of the Bay Area Chapter of the ProVisors professional organization, where she is the group leader of the Silicon Valley Virtual I chapter, which is an all virtual-group focused on business in the Silicon Valley ecosystem. She is also a member of San Jose 2, the Silicon Valley Mergers & Acquisitions Affinity Group, the Silicon Valley Attorney Affinity Group, and the East Bay Attorney Affinity Group.
In addition, Kristie founded the Silicon Valley Software Advisors Group, which is a professional networking group of more than 300 software advisors in the United States, as well as the Life Sciences Advisors Group, which is a professional networking group of more than 150 life sciences advisors in the United States. She is also active in the Cyberspace Committee of the Business Section of the American Bar Association (“ABA”) and was selected to become a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an honor which is limited to one third of one percent of the lawyers in America.
Kristie’s past leadership experience includes serving as an Executive Committee Member of the High Tech Law Section of the Santa Clara Bar Association, as an Advisory Board Member of the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Licensing Executives Society, Co-Chair of the VOIP Committee and Chair of the Programs Committee for the Science and Technology Law Section of the ABA, serving on the Nominating Committee for the Science and Technology Law Section of the ABA, chairing the Copyright Licensing Subcommittee for the American Bar Association’s Intellectual Property Section, and co-chairing the 2006 Selma Moidel Smith Writing Competition for the National Association of Women Lawyers. She also served on the U.S. Copyright Law Committee and the Corporate IP Management Committee of the Intellectual Property Owners Association, Member of the Board of Directors for the Silicon Valley Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (“NAWBO”), the Fundraising Committee for the Entrepreneur’s Network in Santa Clara, CA, and as the member of the Life Sciences and Entrepreneur Venture Catalyst Program planning committees for Astia in San Francisco, CA.
Honors
Kristie was named in 2008 as a new fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Kristie was recognized as a Super Lawyer of Northern California in 2024 and 2025.
Languages
Kristie is fluent in both English and Spanish
Publications
- Author of “Managing the Legal Risks of Artificial Intelligence,” which has been approved for publication by the Consulting Psychology Journal in 2025.
- Author of “Managing the Risks of Blogging by Employees,” to be published by the American Bar Association, Science and Technology Section, Committee on Blogs and User-Generated Content on the Internet.
- Co-author of “When A Business Blogs?” published in the Business Law Today, Volume 16, Number 3, January-February 2007.
- Author of “Unlocking the Secrets to Executive Coaching” published in the Women Lawyers Journal in Summer, 2005.
- Co-author of the “Ruling Brings to Light DMCA’s Broad Scope” published in the New York Law Journal on June 9, 2003.
- Authored numerous columns for the weekly “Ask a Lawyer” intellectual property column published by Lawyers.com.
Speaking Engagements
Kristie’s past speaking engagements include the following:
- Speaker, Member Engagement: How to Support Your Member in Achieving Successful Results within ProVisors,” ProVisors Group Leader Training, January 13, 2024.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements,” Strafford Publications, Webinar, January 7, 2024.
- Speaker, “Drafting Privacy Policies for Devices with No User Interface-What Do You Do?” Advanced Internet of Things 2024: Deeper Dive, Practical Wisdom Program, Practicing Law Institute, October 9, 2024.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements,” Stafford Publications, Webinar, January 12, 2023.
- Speaker, “Potential Liability for Physicians Using Artificial Intelligence,” Crittenden Med. Insurance Conference, San Diego September 23, 2022.
- Speaker, “Drafting Digital Health Contracts,” Webinar, Los Angeles Lawyers and Legal Professionals Affinity Group, Provisors, August 12, 2022.
- Speaker, “Drafting Digital Health Contracts,” Webinar, Health Care Affinity Group, Provisors, April 5, 2022
- Speaker, “Best Practices for Negotiating and Drafting SaaS Agreements,” The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, November 18, 2021.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Key Contract Provisions and Protections,” Strafford Publications, Webinar, November 16, 2021.
- Speaker, “Best Practices in Negotiating, Drafting and Managing Sublicenses, Tech Transfer Central, Webinar, September 28, 2021.
- Speaker, “Best Practices for Drafting SaaS Contracts & Managing SaaS Customer Relationships,” The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, March 31, 2020.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Drafting Key Contract Provisions, Protecting Customer and Vendor Interests,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, March 23, 2020
- Speaker, “Drafting & Negotiating SaaS Contracts: Best Practices for University Tech Transfer Offices, Tech Transfer Central, Webinar, December 10, 2019.
- Speaker, “Legal Developments Impacting the Software Industry 2019, The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, November 21, 2019.
- Speaker, “Best Practices for Negotiating SaaS Contracts & Managing SaaS Customer Relationships”, The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, October 8, 2019.
- Speaker, “Drafting Software Hosting Agreements: Service Availability, Performance, Data Security, Other Key Provisions” Strafford Publications, Webinar, July 25, 2019.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Drafting Key Contract Provisions, Protecting Customer and Vendor Interests,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, August 9, 2019.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Drafting Key Contract Provisions, Protecting Customer and Vendor Interests,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, May 6, 2019.
- Speaker, “Best Practices for Master Service Agreements & Managing Service Relationships,” The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, March 8, 2019.
- Speaker, “Best Practices for Drafting SaaS Contracts & Managing Customer Relationships,” The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, February 19, 2019.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Drafting Key Contract Provisions, Protecting Customer and Vendor Interests,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, February 8, 2019.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Drafting Key Contract Provisions, Protecting Customer and Vendor Interests,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, October 26, 2018.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Drafting Key Contract Provisions, Protecting Customer and Vendor Interests,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, June 11, 2018.
- Speaker, “Drafting Software Hosting Agreements for ASP and SaaS”, myLawCLE, Webcast, March 12, 2018.
- Speaker,”Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Drafting Key Contract Provisions, Protecting Customer and Vendor Interests,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, February 21, 2018.
- Speaker, “Drafting Software Hosting Agreements: Service Availability, Performance, Data Security, Other Key Provisions” Strafford Publications, Webinar, January 23, 2018.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Software as a Service Contracts,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, January 17, 2018.
- Speaker, “Best Practices for Drafting SaaS Contracts that Reduce the Customer Sales Cycle & Avoid Disputes”, The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, October 26, 2017.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Software as a Service Contracts,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, September 12, 2017.
- Speaker, “Negotiating SaaS Agreements: Drafting Key Contract Provisions, Protecting Customer & Vendor Interests,” Stafford Publications, Webinar, August 14, 2017.
- Speaker, “Best Practices for Drafting SaaS Contracts that Reduce the Customer Sales Cycle & Avoid Disputes”, The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, March 24, 2017.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Service Level Agreement Key Terms, ” Strafford Publications, Webinar, December 21, 2016.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Software as a Service Contracts,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, December 19, 2016.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Software as a Service Contracts,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, September 9, 2016.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Software as a Service Contracts,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, May 6, 2016.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Software as a Service Contracts,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, February 25, 2015.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Software as a Service Contracts,” Clear Law Institute, Webinar, November 2, 2015.
- Speaker, “Negotiating Software as a Service Contracts: Guidance for Corporate and technology Counsel for Structuring Effective SaaS Agreements, ” Strafford Publications, Webinar, September 8, 2015.
- Speaker, “Negotiating License Agreements with Start-Ups,” Certified Patent Valuation Analyst Program, Webinar, July 31, 2014.
- Speaker, “Blog Law Developments,” Sunnyvale-Cupertino Bar Association, Holder’s Country Inn Cupertino, October 10, 2011.
- Speaker, “Licensing Tactics for University TTOs: How to Turn the Tables on Corporate Negotiators,” Webinar, May 31, 2011.
- Speaker, “What Every Business Owner Needs to Know About the Legal Risks of Blogging,” NAWBO Silicon Valley 5 o’clock Seminar, November 17, 2009.
- Speaker, “What Companies Need to Know About the Legal Risks of Blogging,” The Prinz Law Office, Webinar, September 9, 2009.
- Speaker, “Secrets to Launching an Effective Blog to Promote Your Business,” Prinz Law Management Consulting, Webinar, August, 26, 2009.
- Speaker,”Developments and Trends in Blog Law,” Teleconference, State Bar of California, Business Section, Ecommerce Subcommittee of the Cyberspace Committee, July 7, 2009.
- Panelist, “Starting a Solo Practice,” J. Reuben Clark Law Society, Palo Alto, CA, April 23, 2009.
- Panelist, “Rethinking the Boilerplate–How the Business Lawyer Should Address Data Issues in Standard Commercial Agreements,” Business Law Section Meeting, American Bar Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, April 17. 2009.
- Panelist, “Social and Professional Online Networking: Just What is Twitter, Linked In, Facebook, et.al?” Business Law Section Meeting, American Bar Association, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, April 16, 2009.
- Speaker, “Employee Blogs and Websites: Protect Yourself Against the Business and Legal Risks When Workers Go Online,” American Features Syndicate teleconference, August 1, 2008.
- Speaker, “Employee Blogs and Websites: Protect Yourself Against the Business and Legal Risks When Workers Go Online,” American Features Syndicate teleconference, July 15, 2008.
- Speaker, “Leveraging an Intellectual Property Portfolio in the Development of Partnering Relationships,” Ninth Annual Beyond Genome: Tools to Therapies Conference, The Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, CA , June 10, 2008.
- Speaker, “IP Panel Presentation on Biotech/Pharma Processes,” Process Management–Route to Success, Peptalk, Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, CA , January 11, 2008.
- Speaker, “Who is Watching Out for Your In-House Career: How A Professional Coach Can Help You Gain the Edge,” Association of Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting, Hyatt Regency Chicago, October 31, 2007.
- Speaker, “Verizon v. Vonage and Sprint v. Vonage: A Tale of Two Patent Infringement Cases and Their Impact on the VoIP Industry,” State Bar of California Annual Meeting (Anaheim, CA), September 29, 2007.
- Moderator, “Ethical Issues in Deployment of VOIP Systems: Client Record Gathering and Voice & Data Storage,” ABA Annual meeting (San Francisco, CA), August 11, 2007.
- Speaker, “Recent Developments in Blog Law,” State Bar of California, Business Section Cyberspace Committee, Silicon Valley Capital Club (San Jose, CA), June 14, 2007.
- Panelist, “Understanding the Acquisitions Process: How to Use the Sale and Purchase of Assets to Grow Your Business,” Silicon Valley Capital Club Speaker Business Forum Luncheon (San Jose, CA), May 24, 2007.
- Speaker, “Hottest Topics in Cyberspace: Cyberinsurance, Blogs, and On-Line Advertising”, Section Education Institute, State Bar of California, Claremont Resort and Spa (Berkeley, CA), January 20, 2007.
- Panelist, “Understanding the Acquisitions Process: How to use the Sale and Purchase of Assets to Grow Your Business,” Sunnyvale Rotary Club, November 7, 2006.
- Panelist, “Patent Protection/IP Strategy,” 2006 WTC Catalyst Program Life Sciences (Palo Alto), September 15, 2006.
- Panelist “Understanding the Acquisitions Process: How to Use the Sale and Purchase of Assets to Grow Your Business” National Association of Women Business Owners, Silicon Valley Chapter (San Jose), July 18, 2006.
- Panelist, “Who is Watching Out for Your In-House Career: How a Professional Coach Can Help You Gain the Edge,” Association of Corporate Counsel–America San Francisco Bay Chapter, May 25, 2006.
- Program Chair, “Changing Face of Telecommunication (VOIP, WiFi),” International Technology Law Association, 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting and World Conference (San Francisco), May 5, 2006.
- Panelist, “The Art of Telling Your Story Workshop,” U.S. Chamber of Commerce/ National Institute of Standards and Technology, Advanced Technology Program (San Jose), September 7, 2005.
- Panelist, “IP Reps and Warranties Gone Wrong: Avoid Potholes in the Business Transaction,” ABA Business Section Meeting (Nashville), April 2, 2005.
- Panelist, “Strategies for Modifying Electronic Standard-Form Agreements and Policies,” ABA Business Section Meeting (Nashville), April 1, 2005.
- Speaker, “Protecting & Exploiting Software Conference,” Law Seminars International (San Francisco), August 5 – 6, 2004.
- Panelist, “What You Need to Know about CAN-SPAM,” Santa Clara Bar Association and the California State Bar Cyberspace Committee (Palo Alto), June 8, 2004.
Representative Transactions
- Represented a cloud-based software business in closing a multimillion dollar enterprise SaaS transaction with a Fortune 500 company for 20 locations.
- Represented a cloud-based software business in closing a multimillion dollar enterprise SaaS transaction with a $3.5 billion dollar financial services company.
- Represented a cloud-based software business in closing a multimillion dollar enterprise SaaS transaction with a waterpark company for 8 locations.
- Represented a cloud-based software business in closing a million dollar enterprise SaaS transaction with a Fortune 500 company
- Represented a cloud-based software business in closing a million dollar SaaS transaction with a digital health company.
- Represented a biotech company in closing a million dollar deal for the development of proprietary software with a software development company.
- Represented a digital health company in closing a half-million dollar software transaction with one of the largest counties in the United States.
- Represented a cloud-based software company in closing a SaaS transaction with a Fortune 500 company.
- Represented a digital health company in closing a SaaS transaction with a major California university for 11 locations.
- Represented a digital health company in closing a SaaS transaction with the Mayo Clinic.
Blogs
Media Appearances:
- IP Watchdog, “Waymo v. Uber: a Gordion Knot Gets Tighter,” Derek Handova, June 15, 2017.
- World Trademark Review, “Responsive PR is a Must When Media Cries ‘Trademark Bully’,” September, 2014.
- Technology Transfer Tactics, “Do Poster Presentations Jeopardize Your TTO’s Commercialization Efforts?” January, 2010.
- TheSciTechLawyer, “Scitech Profile,” Clara Cottrell, Winter, 2010.
- IP Society Video Blog, Patrick Reilly, September, 2010.
- Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, “Patent Reform Battle Pits Biotech Against High-Tech,” March 6, 2009.
- California Lawyer Interview in “The Search for Intelligent Life in the Blogosphere,” May 1, 2008.
- Featured in America’s Premier Lawyers, Fortune Magazine, October 1, 2007.
- Dow Jones Interview in “Lawmakers Take Aim at Patent Speculators,” September 7, 2007.
- Dow Jones Interview in “Speculator of Mundane Patents Casts a Long Shadow,” September 7, 2007.
- CNN Radio Interview on U.S. Court of Appeals Eleventh Circuit’s Ruling in AT&T Mobility, LLC v. National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., August 14, 2007.
- Sky Radio Interview on Recent Developments Affecting the Biotech Industry, June 26, 2007.
- LexBlog Interview on “Five Questions,” June 25, 2007.American Public Media Interview in “Nuts & Bolts: The Basics of Building a Small Business,” June 19, 2007.
- CNN Radio Interview on AT&T Mobility, LLC v. National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc., June 18, 2007.
- Dow Jones Interview in “Tech Companies Pile on Patents, Complain About Clutter,” March 28, 2007.
- Dow Jones Interview in “Microsoft, Google Differ in Farming for Young Hearts and Minds,” February 16, 2007.
- ABA Journal eReport Interview in “A Different Foley Fracas: Foley & Lardner Agrees to Modify Brand to Settle Trademark Suit with Foley Hoag,” October 20, 2006.
- BNA Electronic Commerce & Law Report Interview in “Open Source Issues Challenge Lawyers; Software Registration Rules May Be Revisited,” April 6, 2005.
