Portrait of Kara E.F. Cenar

Kara E.F. Cenar

Partner | Group Leader, Intellectual Property & Technology

Kara represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes, complex intellectual property litigation. As an accomplished trial lawyer, she leads litigation teams and advocates for domestic and international companies of all sizes, as well as individuals, in disputes nationwide. She formulates litigation strategies for pre-trial litigation, discovery, pre-trial motions, and witness and trial strategies for both jury and bench trials.

With over 35 years as a trial lawyer, Kara has focused entirely on IP cases for creators, designers, inventors, manufacturers, and others in the digital, computer software, and technology-based industries. Her courtroom experience includes jury and bench trials, preliminary injunction hearings, hearings on emergency temporary restraining orders, seizure and impoundment orders, and Section 337 claims before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

    Education

    • Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D., 1988)
    • Loyola University Chicago (B.A., 1985)

    Bar Admissions

    • Illinois
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

    Professional Affiliations

    • Chicago Bar Association
    • Illinois State Bar Association
    • Intellectual Property Institute (Founding Charter Member, 2013-present)
    • Chicago Women in Intellectual Property (ChiWIP) (Founding Member, 2015-present)
    • Litigation Counsel of America (Senior Fellow, 2007-present)
    • American Bar Foundation (Fellow, 2019-present)
    • Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (Board of Directors, 2005-2006)
    • National Association of Women Business Owners (National Board of Directors, June 2009-May 2011)
    • National Association of Women Business Owners (Chicago Chapter President, 2005-2006; President-Elect, 2004-2005; Advisory Board, 2003-2007; Board of Directors, 2003-2007; Special Advisor to the President, 2007-2008)

    Community Involvement

    • Loyola University School of Law Alumni Board of Governors (Member, 2025-Present)
    • Boardroom Bound (Charter Lifetime Friend, 2005-2010)

    Firm Involvement

    • Group Leader, Intellectual Property & Technology

    Awards & Honors

    • Crain's Chicago Business Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys (2025) 
    • Named to The Best Lawyers in America®, Trademark Law (2021-2026); Litigation - Intellectual Property (2022-2026)
    • Named to the Illinois Super Lawyers list, Intellectual Property Litigation (2005-2007; 2009-2010; 2013-2026)
    • Recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the Top 50 Female Lawyers in Illinois (2024; 2026)
    • Leading Creative Arts Lawyers by Leader Lawyers for Chicago (2023)
    • Leading Women Lawyers by Leading Lawyers (2023)
    • Leading Chicago Metro Women Lawyers by Leading Lawyers (2023)
    • Illinois Leading Lawyers (2020-2025)
    • Salute! Women in Law Award, Chicago Lawyer and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin (2020)
    • Top Suburban Business Lawyers (2020)
    • Crain's Notable Women in Law (2020)
    • Chicago High Achievers, Advancement Award for Advancement of Diversity (2009)
    • Small Business Administration, Illinois Office, Champion of the Year for Women in Business (2006)
    • Small Business Administration, Regional, Champion of the Year for Women in Business (2006)

Kara E.F. Cenar

Kara represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes, complex intellectual property litigation. As an accomplished trial lawyer, she leads litigation teams and advocates for domestic and international companies of all sizes, as well as individuals, in disputes nationwide. She formulates litigation strategies for pre-trial litigation, discovery, pre-trial motions, and witness and trial strategies for both jury and bench trials.

With over 35 years as a trial lawyer, Kara has focused entirely on IP cases for creators, designers, inventors, manufacturers, and others in the digital, computer software, and technology-based industries. Her courtroom experience includes jury and bench trials, preliminary injunction hearings, hearings on emergency temporary restraining orders, seizure and impoundment orders, and Section 337 claims before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

Kara E.F. Cenar

Kara represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes, complex intellectual property litigation. As an accomplished trial lawyer, she leads litigation teams and advocates for domestic and international companies of all sizes, as well as individuals, in disputes nationwide. She formulates litigation strategies for pre-trial litigation, discovery, pre-trial motions, and witness and trial strategies for both jury and bench trials.

With over 35 years as a trial lawyer, Kara has focused entirely on IP cases for creators, designers, inventors, manufacturers, and others in the digital, computer software, and technology-based industries. Her courtroom experience includes jury and bench trials, preliminary injunction hearings, hearings on emergency temporary restraining orders, seizure and impoundment orders, and Section 337 claims before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

Kara E.F. Cenar

Kara represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes, complex intellectual property litigation. As an accomplished trial lawyer, she leads litigation teams and advocates for domestic and international companies of all sizes, as well as individuals, in disputes nationwide. She formulates litigation strategies for pre-trial litigation, discovery, pre-trial motions, and witness and trial strategies for both jury and bench trials.

With over 35 years as a trial lawyer, Kara has focused entirely on IP cases for creators, designers, inventors, manufacturers, and others in the digital, computer software, and technology-based industries. Her courtroom experience includes jury and bench trials, preliminary injunction hearings, hearings on emergency temporary restraining orders, seizure and impoundment orders, and Section 337 claims before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

Kara E.F. Cenar

Kara represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes, complex intellectual property litigation. As an accomplished trial lawyer, she leads litigation teams and advocates for domestic and international companies of all sizes, as well as individuals, in disputes nationwide. She formulates litigation strategies for pre-trial litigation, discovery, pre-trial motions, and witness and trial strategies for both jury and bench trials.

With over 35 years as a trial lawyer, Kara has focused entirely on IP cases for creators, designers, inventors, manufacturers, and others in the digital, computer software, and technology-based industries. Her courtroom experience includes jury and bench trials, preliminary injunction hearings, hearings on emergency temporary restraining orders, seizure and impoundment orders, and Section 337 claims before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

Kara E.F. Cenar

Kara represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes, complex intellectual property litigation. As an accomplished trial lawyer, she leads litigation teams and advocates for domestic and international companies of all sizes, as well as individuals, in disputes nationwide. She formulates litigation strategies for pre-trial litigation, discovery, pre-trial motions, and witness and trial strategies for both jury and bench trials.

With over 35 years as a trial lawyer, Kara has focused entirely on IP cases for creators, designers, inventors, manufacturers, and others in the digital, computer software, and technology-based industries. Her courtroom experience includes jury and bench trials, preliminary injunction hearings, hearings on emergency temporary restraining orders, seizure and impoundment orders, and Section 337 claims before the International Trade Commission (ITC).

Kara E.F. Cenar