Frainkly, We're People Too.

Founding Partner

Newport Beach Office

krystal@frainkly.com

Known for her tenacity in the courtroom and thoughtfulness with clients, Krystal Anderson (she/her/hers) combines nearly a decade of big-firm litigation experience with a boutique firm’s responsiveness and heart.   Former colleagues and clients describe Krystal as “a force to be reckoned with”—a trial-tested advocate whose intelligence, clarity, and resolve drive powerful results.

Before founding FrAInkly Legal, Krystal was a litigation and trial attorney in the Newport Beach office of Holland & Knight LLP, where she focused on zealous advocacy in high-stakes disputes. She successfully represented national and international clients across a wide range of industries in breach of contract, unfair competition, fraud, mass tort, consumer protection, real estate, trademark, and trade secret disputes. In addition to her litigation practice, Krystal advised clients on pre-dispute strategy, internal investigations, corporate governance, data protection, and regulatory compliance to minimize risk.

In addition to her core litigation and advisory practice, Krystal has a growing focus on artificial intelligence law and its intersection with business liability, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. She advises clients on the use of generative AI in business operations, content development, and internal processes, helping them manage legal risks related to copyright, data privacy, bias, and algorithmic transparency.

Her practice increasingly supports companies integrating AI into core operations—whether drafting enforceable AI-related policies, reviewing vendor contracts for model usage, or evaluating exposure to emerging regulations like the EU AI Act or California’s evolving AI and privacy frameworks. Krystal is especially attuned to how generative tools impact small businesses and creatives, including IP ownership disputes and ethical deployment concerns.

Clients rely on Krystal for strategic, innovative, and practical solutions to complex legal issues. She is known for guiding clients through conflict with empathy, transparency, and clarity—making the legal process more comfortable and comprehensible during challenging times. She also excels at resolving disputes before they escalate, using early counseling and negotiation to avoid costly legal proceedings.

While at Cornell Law School, Krystal served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

Outside of her client work, Krystal is a recognized leader in the legal profession. She is deeply involved in advancing diversity and inclusion and is committed to pro bono service, having represented veterans in benefits appeals, survivors of domestic violence seeking protection orders, reformed individuals seeking expungement, and asylees applying for green cards.  

When she is not advocating for her clients or contributing to the legal community, Krystal enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring new restaurants and local food spots, and traveling to destinations with rich history and vibrant cultures. She’s also an avid reader, amateur home chef, monthly 5K runner, and occasional podcast guest or panelist, often speaking on issues related to advocacy, leadership, and diversity in law. 

Education

• Harvard University, currently enrolled to obtain a graduate certificate in Artificial Intelligence and Masters degree in Data Science

• Cornell Law School, J.D., Emphasis on Business Law and Regulation
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Remedies (2015)
  • Deans List in multiple semesters.
     

Bar & Court Admissions

• California
• U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
   

• Rising Star, Southern California Super Lawyers Magazine, 2022–2026
• Top 10 Young Lawyers of Orange County, OCCDL, 2023

• Iranian American Bar Association (IABA), Orange County Chapter
  • President Emeritus, 2024-2026
  • President, 2022–2024
     
• Orange County Coalition for Diversity in the Law (OCCDL)
  • President, 2021–2022
     

• “What Calif. Eviction Ruling Means for Defaulting Borrowers,” Law360, April 30, 2024
   
• “Van Buren: A New National Standard for Interpreting the Scope and Intent of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA),” California Lawyers Association, IP Law Section – New Matter, 2021
   
• “Recognizing California's Notable DTSA Cases in Honor of DTSA's 5th Birthday,” California Lawyers Association, IP Law Section – New Matter, 2021
   
• “The DOJ’s China Initiative and the Controversy of Prosecuting Professors and Researchers in the U.S. for Trade Secrets Theft,” California Lawyers Association, IP Law Section – New Matter, 2021
   

• Business & Commercial Litigation
   
• Real Estate & Property Transactions & Disputes
   
• Data Privacy, Information, and Emerging Technology Law

• Wealth Planning & Family Issues
   
• Outside General Counsel & Strategic Advisory Services