Karen R. Bennett

Principal

Overview

Karen R. Bennett, managing principal with the firm, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from the University of Texas at Arlington. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Texas Tech University, where she…

Practice Areas

Civil Litigation Class and Collective Actions Commercial Litigation Construction Law Family Law Insurance Law Maritime Law Personal Injury Defense Premises Liability Products Liability Torts Toxic Torts and Chemical Exposure Transportation and Trucking Litigation

Professional Background

Joined Germer in 1994 as an associate
Became a principal in January 1997
Managing principal since February 2008

Professional Certifications

Certified by State Bar of Texas, Attorney Ad Litem

Education

Texas Tech University Law School
- Juris Doctor -1991
University of Texas at Arlington
- Bachelor of Arts – Political Science – 1988

Recognitions and Honors

Ken W. Lewis Professionalism Award by the Jefferson County Bar Association (2023)
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating: AV^®Preeminent^™(2014-present)
Texas Super Lawyer, a Thompson Reuters publication (2013-2024)
Recipient of the 2023 Jefferson County Bar Association Kenneth W. Lewis Professionalism Award

Professional Memberships and Affiliations

State Bar of Texas (1992-present)
American Bar Association (1991-present)
Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Houston Chapter of ABOTA (2009-present)
Member of the Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit (2020-present)
Texas Association of Defense Counsel (1992-present)
Jefferson County Bar Association (1991-present)
- Board of Directors (2008-2009)
- Family Law Section (2007-present)
Austin Bar Association (2020-present)
Prior member of Jefferson County Young Lawyers Association
Prior member of The College of the State Bar of Texas
Prior member of Mickey Mehaffy Inn of Court
Defense Research Institute (1998-present)
The Bar Association for the Eastern District of Texas (2002-present)
Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation (2002-present)
Texas Women Lawyers
Jefferson County Bar Association Auxiliary (1992-present)
- Board of Directors (1995-2002)
- President (2000-2001)
- President Elect (1999-2000)
- 2nd Vice President (1998-1999)
- Treasurer (1996-1998)
- Parliamentarian (2001-2002)
- Teen Cour Chairman (1995-1996)
- Finance Committee Chairman (1996-1998)
- Scholarship Committee (1996-1998)
- Teen Court Co-Chairman (1997-1998)
- Membership Chairman (1998-1999)
Texas Family Law Foundation
Member of State Bar of Texas – Women and the Law

Civic Involvement

Teen Court – Board of Directors (1995-1996)
Texas Lawyers Auxiliary (1995-present)
The Symphony League of Southeast Texas (1993-present)
The Junior League of Beaumont (1996-present)
- Provisional Member (1996-1997)
- Sustainer (2006-present)
- Active Member (1997-2006)
- Treasurer, Antique & Garden Show Committee (1997-1998)
- Finance Committee (1997-2004, 2005-2006)
- Finance Council (1998-2004, 2005-2006)
- Sustaining Advisor, Finance Committee (2007-2008)
- Business Manager, Research and Development Committee (1998-1999)
- Treasurer – Elect (1999-2000)
- Treasurer (2000-2001)
- Board of Directors (1999-2001)
- Community Assistance Fund Committee (Advisory Member) (1999-2000)
- Schlesingers Geriatric Center Holiday Happenings Committee (1992-2000)
- Active Members Campaign Division Chair (2000)
- Volunteer of the Year (2001-2002)
- Yearbook Chair (2001-2002)
- Business Manager, Rummage Sale (2002-2003)
- Resource Development Chair (2003-2004)
- Active Member of the Year (2004)
- Ways and Means Chair (2005-2006)
- Nominating and Placement (Sustaining Advisor 2009-2010)
The Symphony League of Beaumont (1996-present)
Beaumont Chamber of Commerce (1999-present)
Pro Bono Program (Jefferson County Bar Association)
Board of Directors, Advisory member, for TRAIL with Buckner Children & Family Services (1999)
All Saints Episcopal School Board Member (2006-2007)
- Curriculum/Academic Affiars Committee (2006-2007)
- Self-Study Accreditation Steering Committee (2007)
All Saints Episcopal School Parents Association (1999-present)
- President (2006-2007)
- President Elect (2005-2006)
- Chairman, Winter Carnival (2002-2003)
- Chairman, Teacher Hospitality Committee (2003-2005)
- Book Fair, Book Review Committee (2005-2006)
All Saints Episcopal School Annual Fund Chair (2008-2010)
All Saints Episcopal School Capital Campaign Committee (2009-2010)
Casas for Casa, Raffle Ticket Committee (2004)
Kelly High School Parent Facilitator (2010-present)
Kelly High School Marketing Committee (2010-2011)