Profile
Karen M. Kennard is a Co-Managing Shareholder of the Austin office and a Shareholder in the Government Law and Policy Group at Greenberg Traurig, Austin. Karen focuses her practice on government law, policy, and regulatory matters with an emphasis on municipal law.
Immediately prior to joining the firm, Karen served over five years as City Attorney for the City of Austin, Texas, and six years as Austin’s. Deputy City Attorney. Earlier in her career, Karen served as General Counsel for the Texas Municipal League where she spent 15 years providing legal and legislative services to city officials across the State of Texas.
Concentrations
- Procurement
- Economic Development
- Public Transportation
- Land Use/Land Development (due diligence)
- Open Meetings/Public Information
- Government Relations
Capabilities
Experience
- Represent non-profits, special districts, and local government corporations on affordable housing issues.
- Represent local government entities and companies creating projects for urban redevelopment and tax increment investment zones.
- Represent local transit authority on general governance, procurement, personnel, and other general transportation matters.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Government Relations Practice, 2022 - 2024
- Listed, Lawdragon, “500 Leading Lawyers in America,” 2021-2024
- Honoree, Profiles in Diversity Journal, "Black Leaders Worth Watching," 2020
- Listed, Austin Monthly Magazine, "Top Attorneys in Austin," 2020
- Recipient, Austin Black Business, "Top 10 Central Texas Super Lawyer Awards," 2019
- Team Member, Best Lawyers in America®, "Top Listed – Government Relations," 2018
- Recipient, Austin Black Lawyers Association "Legacy Award," 2012
- Travis County Women’s Lawyer’s Association
- Pathfinder Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession in Travis County, 2006
- Award for Contribution to the Minority Community, 1994
- Member, Texas City Attorneys Association
- President, 2014-2015
- Member, International Municipal Lawyers Association
- Citizens Advisory Council, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Board of Directors, Friends of the Children - Austin
- Board of Directors, KLRU-TV
- Board of Directors, Texas Justice Initiative
- McBee Fellow, Austin Area Research Association (AARO), 2010
- Member, State Bar of Texas Government Lawyers Council
- Board Member, 2011-2012
- Board Member, City of Austin Police Retirement System, 2005-2008
- President, Austin Black Lawyers Association, 1999
- Leadership Austin, Class of 1997-1998
- Board Member, Austin Bar Association (formerly Travis County Bar Association), 1995
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law, 1988
- B.A., Political Science, Southern Methodist University, 1985
Admissions
- Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas