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
- United States Supreme Court Update: Highlights of Recent and Upcoming Decisions, Author and Presenter (Dallas Bar Association Appellate Section, December 17, 2009)
- Navigating the Summary Judgment Maze, Author and Presenter (State Bar of Texas Nuts and Bolts of Appellate Practice, September 9, 2009)
- The Melting Pot of Appellate Law, Co-Author and Co-Presenter (State Bar of Texas Minority Counsel Program, September 3, 2009)
- Co-author, "Mandamus: The Demise of the Rule that Delay and Hardship Do Not Justify Relief by Mandamus," State Bar of Texas Advanced Medical Malpractice Course (March 12, 2009).
- Author and Presenter, "Preparing for the Mandamus Voyage," Dallas Bar Association Trial Skills Section (October 10, 2008).
- Author and Presenter, "Building a Solid Structure on the Shifting Sands of Mandamus," State Bar of Texas Appellate Boot Camp (September 3, 2008).
- Author and Co-Presenter, "Appellate Law for Non-Appellate Lawyers, Or, Things that Go Bump in the Appellate Night," State Bar of Texas Minority Counsel Program (September 6, 2007).
- Author and Presenter, "Riding the Mandamus Roller Coaster," State Bar of Texas Appellate Boot Camp (September 5, 2007).
- Author and Presenter, "Helpful Hints for a Trial Attorney’s Appellate Practice," Dallas Bar Association Solo & Small Firm Section (June 7, 2006).
- Presenter, "What Issues are Being Granted by the Texas Supreme Court, "State Bar of Texas Practice Before the Texas Supreme Court (April 1, 2005).
- Co-Author and Co-Presenter, "Effective Legal Writing for Paralegals in Texas," Institute for Paralegal Education (February 9, 2005).
- Co-Author, "Common Issues in Civil Appeals of Summary Judgments," State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section, In-House CLE for Court Attorneys (2004).
- Co-uthor, "Recurring Issues in Consumer and Business Class Action Litigation in Texas," 33 TEX. TECH. L. REV. 971 (2002).
- Author and Presenter, "Top Ten Traps of the New Millennium," Collin County Bar Association (March 15, 2002).
- CoAuthor, "Fifth Circuit Update," UT School of Law 11th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals (May 10-11, 2001).
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 a 2009 Texas Monthly Rising Star in Appellate Law
Community Leadership
- Member, Trinity Commons Foundation, Executive Board
- Member, DISD Partners in Education, LLS/Medrano Elementary
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