Kurt Kicklighter

Kurt works with community banks, financial technology companies, closely-held and family organizations, and publicly-traded companies on strategic, regulatory, governance and operational matters.

Recent engagements include bank acquisitions and recaps, private placements through registered broker-dealers, sale of a half interest in a family business, and structuring contractual relationships between fintech companies and banks. Kurt often counsels investors, directors and officers on matters affecting their personal interests and liabilities, and has served as counsel to special committees of boards.

Before joining Breakwater Law Group, Kurt was a corporate and banking partner for more than 16 years with Luce Forward, McKenna Long and Dentons (as the result of mergers of those firms). He has first-hand experience of the challenges that business owners and executives face in leading organizations through difficult changes as a result of his service as Managing Partner of Luce Forward.

Kurt has been active in civic and charitable organizations, including the San Diego Economic Development Corporation, the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego. He has provided pro bono services to various charities in San Diego.

Raised in a San Diego Naval family (and a Helix Highlander), Kurt left home for U.C. Berkeley where he graduated with Great Distinction, Phi Beta Kappa. He ventured to New York for law school, where he graduated from the Columbia University School of Law and was Editor-In-Chief of the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law, but eventually returned to San Diego. Kurt later earned his L.L.M. in Taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law. He is a member of the California State Bar.

Breakwater Law Group

We are committed to providing responsive sophisticated corporate counsel, effectively and efficiently.

Our attorneys earned their experience at top tier law firms and by advising on transactions worth billions of dollars.

We have extensive legal, venture and entrepreneurial experience in Silicon Valley and Southern California, allowing us to provide more than just legal services. As entrepreneurs and business owners, we understand the importance of value-driven services, and we aim to align our interests with our clients and play a strategic role in their success.

Our attorneys earned their experience in the corporate practice groups of top tier boutique and AmLaw 100 firms including Gunderson Dettmer, K&L Gates, Knobbe Martens and Sheppard Mullin. The collective experience and knowledge of our team members position us to deliver on our commitment to provide responsive sophisticated corporate counsel, effectively and efficiently.