As a member of Locke Lord’s Appellate Practice Group, Kirsten Castañeda handles a wide variety of sophisticated state and federal appeals involving class actions, arbitration, financial institutions, employment issues, and other commercial disputes. She frequently works with trial lawyers on discovery disputes, error preservation, and jury charge preparation and objections. Ms. Castañeda also has significant experience in mandamus matters.
An active member of the American Bar Association's Council of Appellate Lawyers, Ms. Castañeda is a regular speaker on appellate issues.
Education
- J.D., Southern Methodist University School of Law, 1994
Hatton W. Sumners Scholar
Order of Barristers
Finalist - Best Brief - Jackson & Walker Moot Court Competition - B.A., Baylor University, 1991
National Merit Scholar
Outstanding Scholar of the University School
Bar Admissions
Representative Experience
- Handled jury charge and drafted post-verdict motions for four privately-held corporations in employment dispute. Trial court granted motion for judgment notwithstanding verdict, reducing potential million-dollar award to take-nothing judgment in the clients’ favor.
- Represented corporation in its appeal of a multimillion dollar judgment. In published opinion, the court of appeals reversed and rendered take-nothing judgment in the client’s favor.
- Represented various clients in appellate mediations, including settlement negotiations and the formulation and drafting of the agreements, motions, and orders necessary to resolve pending appeals.
- Represented various clients in post-judgment collection efforts, yielding experience with issues relating to supersedeas, garnishment, turnover, execution, and post-judgment discovery.
Publications & Presentations
Professional History
- Senior Counsel, Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP
- Briefing Attorney to Justice John D. Ovard, Court of Appeals, Fifth District of Texas at Dallas (1994 - 1995)
Professional Affiliations & Achievements
- Member, Executive Committee of the ABA Council of Appellate Lawyers (2008-10 term)
- Member, Planning Committee, ABA Appellate Judges Education Institute Summit (2009-10)
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Co-Editor, News for the Bar, State Bar of Texas Litigation Section (2007-09)
- Member, Planning Committee, State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course (2009)
- Member, State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section
- Member, Dallas Bar Association, Appellate Section
- Named, 2009-2010 Texas Rising Star, Texas Monthly
Community Leadership
- Member, Trinity Commons Foundation, Executive Board
- Member, DISD Partners in Education, LLS/Medrano Elementary
|
|