Catherine is an experienced litigator with an extensive background in complex commercial litigation, insurance defense, and appellate advocacy. Catherine manages a broad range of litigation matters, including product liability, premises defect, employment disputes, and construction defect claims. With a career spanning over three decades, Catherine has served as lead counsel in more than 20 jury trials, along with arbitration proceedings and bench trials. Her expertise includes case analysis, strategic litigation planning, and high-stakes negotiations.
Catherine is board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. She has been a featured speaker on litigation and insurance topics and has contributed to multiple legal publications. Catherine serves on the Board of Directors for SAFE and has held leadership roles in numerous professional and community organizations, including serving as Board President for the Hill County Ride for AIDS, President of the West Austin Neighborhood Group, and the Board of the Austin Bar Association.
Representative Matters
- Served as lead trial counsel for homeowners defending a premises defect claim asserted by an independent contractor, securing a favorable verdict
- Represented professional medical association defending against anti-trust claim, obtaining favorable resolution
- Defended therapeutic provider from claims of sexual assault, securing favorable settlement
- Served as trial counsel in federal district court for motor manufacturer in product liability case, tried to no-liability verdict
- Negotiated favorable settlement for homeowner accused of providing alcohol to minors under social host statute
- Defend companies and their drivers in commercial motor vehicle cases including allegations of FMCSA violations
- Defended public entity in wrongful termination suit
- Represents insurers in first-party claims under uninsured/underinsured policies
- Defended public official in sexual assault suit in federal district court
- Represented window manufacturers and installers in construction defect litigation asserting manufacturing and installation defects
Admissions
- Texas
- Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
- All federal district courts in Texas
Reported Cases
- Green v Villas on Town Lake Owners Association, Inc., No. 03-20-00375-CV, 2021 WL 4927414 (Tex.App.—Austin Oct. 22, 2021)
- Verticor, Ltd. v. Wood, 509 S.W.3d 488 (Tex.App.—Austin 2015)
- In re Texas Allergy Asthma, and Immunology Soc., No. 03-13-00019, 2013 WL 363509 (Tex.App.—Austin Jan. 24, 2013, orig. proceeding)
- Flying J, Inc. v. Meda, Inc., 373 S.W.3d 680 (Tex.App.—San Antonio 2012)
- In re United Biologics, LLC, No. 03-12-00646-CV, 2012 WL 4775121 (Tex.App.—Austin Oct. 3, 2012, orig. proceeding)
- American Zurich Ins. Co. v. Barker Roofing, L.P., 387 S.W.3d 54 (Tex.App.—Amarillo 2012)
- In re Medical Depot, Inc., No. 04-09-00567-CV, 2009 WL 304014 (Tex.App.—San Antonio Sept. 23, 2009, orig. proceeding)
- Jacob v. Internat’l Cellulose Corp., Inc., No. 03-06-00210-CV, 2007 WL 1237963 (Tex. App.—Austin April 27, 2007)
- Reyna v. City of Weslaco, 944 S.W.2d 657 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi-Edinburg 1997, no writ)
- Allen v. City of Midlothian, 927 S.W.2d 316 (Tex.App.—Waco 1996, no writ)
- Lang v. City of Nacogdoches, 942 S.W.752 (Tex.App.—Tyler 1997, writ denied)
Professional Presentations
- “Product Liability: An Update on the Year’s Best Product Liability Cases,” Texas Assoc. of Defense Counsel, January 2025
- “Moonlighting: What About My Side Hustle?” Alpha Rho Chi – Alumni Seminar Series, September 2021
Activities and Affiliations
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Personal Injury Trial Law
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate
- Austin Bar Association Board of Directors,1998-2000
- Litigation Section
- Labor & Employment Law Section
- Construction Law Section
- Insurance Law Section
- Austin Bar Foundation
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Baylor Law School Foundation
- Travis County Women Lawyers Association Board of Directors, Liaison to Travis County Women Lawyers Association, 2012-2013
- Texas Association of Defense Counsel
Community Involvement
- SAFE, Board of Directors
- Strategic Programs Committee
- Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Public Policy Committee
- Board Governance Committee
- Hill County Ride for AIDS
- Board President, 2010-2014
- West Austin Neighborhood Group
- Board President, 2012-2018
- City of Austin Ethics Review Commission, 2004-2008
- St. John’s United Methodist Church
- Board of Trustees, Chair, 2020-2023
- CASA of Travis County, CASA Volunteer, 2002-2004
- Volunteer Legal Service of Central Texas, Clinic Volunteer, 2001-2005
