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Cara Kennemer

Shareholder

Fax:

(817) 439-9923

Address:

600 Bailey Avenue
Suite 200
Fort Worth, Texas 76107

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Cara Kennemer

Shareholder

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Cara Kennemer is chair of Underwood Law Firm’s Construction Section and is Board Certified in Construction Law.  Her practice focuses on all aspects of commercial and residential construction, including negotiation and preparation of contracts and advising clients on risk allocation, project management, and termination issues. She also litigates and arbitrates disputes involving design and construction errors, delay claims, building performance problems, lien and bond claims, and collection of construction funds. Cara’s construction law practice offers substantial experience and an understanding of the development and construction process, which is used to assist owners, general contractors, construction managers, design professionals, trade contractors, and material suppliers.

Cara also helps clients protect their lien and bond claims through the process of pre-claim notices, filing of mechanic’s and materialman’s liens and surety bond claims, negotiating payment with contractors and property owners, and filing suit to litigate lien and bond claims.

In addition to construction-related matters, Cara maintains an active practice in other areas of commercial and real estate-related disputes, including purchase and sale agreements, non-complete provisions, and partnership, shareholder, and business divorce cases.

Cara serves on the Council of the State Bar’s Construction Law Section, the Board of the Construction Law Foundation, is a founding member of the State Bar Women’s Construction Law Group. She has been recognized on Thompson Reuters’ list of the Top 50 Women in Texas Construction Law as well as the Best Lawyers in America for Construction. She is a frequent author and speaker on a variety of topics concerning the construction industry for the State Bar of Texas and professional trade organizations.

  • Overview
    image_print

    Cara Kennemer is chair of Underwood Law Firm’s Construction Section and is Board Certified in Construction Law.  Her practice focuses on all aspects of commercial and residential construction, including negotiation and preparation of contracts and advising clients on risk allocation, project management, and termination issues. She also litigates and arbitrates disputes involving design and construction errors, delay claims, building performance problems, lien and bond claims, and collection of construction funds. Cara’s construction law practice offers substantial experience and an understanding of the development and construction process, which is used to assist owners, general contractors, construction managers, design professionals, trade contractors, and material suppliers.

    Cara also helps clients protect their lien and bond claims through the process of pre-claim notices, filing of mechanic’s and materialman’s liens and surety bond claims, negotiating payment with contractors and property owners, and filing suit to litigate lien and bond claims.

    In addition to construction-related matters, Cara maintains an active practice in other areas of commercial and real estate-related disputes, including purchase and sale agreements, non-complete provisions, and partnership, shareholder, and business divorce cases.

    Cara serves on the Council of the State Bar’s Construction Law Section, the Board of the Construction Law Foundation, is a founding member of the State Bar Women’s Construction Law Group. She has been recognized on Thompson Reuters’ list of the Top 50 Women in Texas Construction Law as well as the Best Lawyers in America for Construction. She is a frequent author and speaker on a variety of topics concerning the construction industry for the State Bar of Texas and professional trade organizations.

  • Experience

    Recognitions

    • Best Lawyers in America for Construction, 2018-2023
    • Texas Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation, 2016-2023
    • Texas Super Lawyers, Top 50 Women, 2019-2023
    • Texas Super Lawyers, Top 100 Texas, 2019, 2022-2023
    • Texas Super Lawyer, Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth, 2019-2020, 2022-2023
    • Top 40 Under 40 Honoree, Fort Worth Business Press
    • “Top Attorney” Fort Worth, Texas Magazine 2014 to present
    • “Texas Rising Star” by Texas Super Lawyers Magazine, 2012
  • Affiliations
    • State Bar of Texas, Construction Law Section
      • Council and Foundation Board Member, 2021-2024
    • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
    • Texas Women’s Construction Law Group, Fort Worth/West Texas Chair (State Bar Construction Section)
    • Tarrant County Bar Association, Construction Section
      • Chair 2016 – 2017; Vice Chair 2015-2016; Secretary 2014-2015
    • Dallas Bar Association, Construction Section
      • Council Member 2013 – 2016
    • Presiding Officer, The Basic Course in Texas Construction Law, 2018, 2019
    • State Bar Young Construction Lawyer Committee Chairperson, 2018, 2019
    • Historic Fort Worth, Inc.
      • Board of Directors Chairperson, 2019-present
      • Public Affairs Committee Chairperson, 2016-2018
    • Young Lawyers Committee Representative to the State Bar Construction Law Section, 2017-2018
    • Leadership Fort Worth 2016 – 2017
    • Junior League of Fort Worth Sustaining Member
      • Legal Advisory Committee
      • Mentor, All Aboard Program, 2019-2020
    • Tarrant County Historical Commission, Member, 2013 – 2014
  • Insights

    Publications and Presentations 

    • “The Art of Negotiating Construction & Design Contracts” – State Bar Conference for Construction Law (2023)
    • “Texas Residential Construction Liability Act” – Tarrant County Bar Association (2023)
    • “Construction Law Traps and Avoiding Malpractice” – Tarrant County Bar Association (2023)
    • “Construction Issues” – Annual Legal Conference for Texas Bankers Association and Southwest Association of Bank Counsel (2022)
    • “Construction Law Traps for the Unwary” – Amarillo Bar Association (2021)
    • “Updates on Texas Construction Law” – Tarrant County Bar Association (2020) 
    • “Defending Claims against Your Work and Considerations as an Expert Witness” – Structural Engineers of Texas, PLLC (2020)
    • “Critical Elements of Construction Contracts” International Association of Baggage System Companies (2020)
    • “Top 10 Contract Provisions to Know” – Texas Structural Steel Institute (2020)
    • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – Dallas Bar Association Construction Section (2020)
    • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2020)
    • “Tips for Improving Collections and Contract Negotiations” – Texas Structural Steel Institute (2019)
    • “Contract Law: Know Your Rights from Wrong” – DFW Area Vendor Fair (2018)
    • “Managing Receivables” – CFO Controllers Conference, Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (2018)
    • “Managing Receivables and Other Construction Law Issues for Consulting Estimators” – CERT (Consulting Estimators Round Table) Fall Southeast Conference (2018) 
    • “Construction Law Issues: Project-Close Out, Revising Contract Clauses, and Arbitrating Disputes”  – Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce’s Construction Services Group (2018)
    • “Contract Law Primer for Engineers” – Engineering Law and Ethics CLE (2017)
    • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2017)
    • “Alternatives to Securing Contractor Performance” – State Bar Conference for Construction Law (2017)
    • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2016)
    • “Construction Law Issues: Contracts, Disputes, and Collections”  – Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce’s Construction Services Group (2016)
    • “Bidding Tips for Subcontractors” – Independent Electrical Contractors Fort Worth/Tarrant County Chapter Panel Discussion, 2016
    • “Public-Private Partnerships: How to Secure the Payment” – State Bar Conference for Construction Law (2017)
    • “Ethics for Construction Lawyers” – Dallas Bar Association, Construction Section (2015)
    • “Contracts for Design Services” – Texas Engineering Law CLE (2014)
    • “Review of Black + Vernooy/Third-Party Beneficiary Claims” – Dallas Bar Association, Construction Law Section (2014)
    • “Reviewing Contracts for Design Services” – Texas Engineering Law Seminar (2014)
    • “Ethical Issues in Construction Law” – Basics in Construction Course (2014)
    • “Dispute Avoidance, Management, and Resolution for Design Professionals” – Building Professional Institute (2013)
    • “Ethics in Construction Law” – Real Estate Development & Construction Law Seminar (2013)
    • “Texas Lien Rights for Engineers and Architects” – Building Professional Institute (2012)
    • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – Dallas Bar Association, Construction Law Section (2012)
    • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Young Construction Lawyer” – State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2011)
    • “Construction Law Update” – University of Texas School of Law Construction Law Conference (2011)
    • “Current Developments and Practice Tips Involving Liens in Place” – (co-authored publication) University of Texas School of Law Construction Law Conference (2010)
    • “Breakthrough Collection Strategies in Texas” – National Business Institute (2005)
    • “Successful Judgment Collections in Texas” – National Business Institute (2004)
    • “Dealing with the Government : HIPPA” – AIA Forum, Selected Topics in Risk Management for Engineers and Architects (2004)
    • “Dispute Avoidance, Management and Resolution” – AIA Forum, Selected Topics in Risk Management for Engineers and Architects (2003)
    • “Arbitration” – Foundation Repair Association, Dallas Chapter (2003)

    Insights

Experience

Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers in America for Construction, 2018-2023
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Construction Litigation, 2016-2023
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Top 50 Women, 2019-2023
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Top 100 Texas, 2019, 2022-2023
  • Texas Super Lawyer, Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth, 2019-2020, 2022-2023
  • Top 40 Under 40 Honoree, Fort Worth Business Press
  • “Top Attorney” Fort Worth, Texas Magazine 2014 to present
  • “Texas Rising Star” by Texas Super Lawyers Magazine, 2012

Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas, Construction Law Section
    • Council and Foundation Board Member, 2021-2024
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Texas Women’s Construction Law Group, Fort Worth/West Texas Chair (State Bar Construction Section)
  • Tarrant County Bar Association, Construction Section
    • Chair 2016 – 2017; Vice Chair 2015-2016; Secretary 2014-2015
  • Dallas Bar Association, Construction Section
    • Council Member 2013 – 2016
  • Presiding Officer, The Basic Course in Texas Construction Law, 2018, 2019
  • State Bar Young Construction Lawyer Committee Chairperson, 2018, 2019
  • Historic Fort Worth, Inc.
    • Board of Directors Chairperson, 2019-present
    • Public Affairs Committee Chairperson, 2016-2018
  • Young Lawyers Committee Representative to the State Bar Construction Law Section, 2017-2018
  • Leadership Fort Worth 2016 – 2017
  • Junior League of Fort Worth Sustaining Member
    • Legal Advisory Committee
    • Mentor, All Aboard Program, 2019-2020
  • Tarrant County Historical Commission, Member, 2013 – 2014

Publications and Presentations 

  • “The Art of Negotiating Construction & Design Contracts” – State Bar Conference for Construction Law (2023)
  • “Texas Residential Construction Liability Act” – Tarrant County Bar Association (2023)
  • “Construction Law Traps and Avoiding Malpractice” – Tarrant County Bar Association (2023)
  • “Construction Issues” – Annual Legal Conference for Texas Bankers Association and Southwest Association of Bank Counsel (2022)
  • “Construction Law Traps for the Unwary” – Amarillo Bar Association (2021)
  • “Updates on Texas Construction Law” – Tarrant County Bar Association (2020) 
  • “Defending Claims against Your Work and Considerations as an Expert Witness” – Structural Engineers of Texas, PLLC (2020)
  • “Critical Elements of Construction Contracts” International Association of Baggage System Companies (2020)
  • “Top 10 Contract Provisions to Know” – Texas Structural Steel Institute (2020)
  • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – Dallas Bar Association Construction Section (2020)
  • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2020)
  • “Tips for Improving Collections and Contract Negotiations” – Texas Structural Steel Institute (2019)
  • “Contract Law: Know Your Rights from Wrong” – DFW Area Vendor Fair (2018)
  • “Managing Receivables” – CFO Controllers Conference, Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (2018)
  • “Managing Receivables and Other Construction Law Issues for Consulting Estimators” – CERT (Consulting Estimators Round Table) Fall Southeast Conference (2018) 
  • “Construction Law Issues: Project-Close Out, Revising Contract Clauses, and Arbitrating Disputes”  – Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce’s Construction Services Group (2018)
  • “Contract Law Primer for Engineers” – Engineering Law and Ethics CLE (2017)
  • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2017)
  • “Alternatives to Securing Contractor Performance” – State Bar Conference for Construction Law (2017)
  • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2016)
  • “Construction Law Issues: Contracts, Disputes, and Collections”  – Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce’s Construction Services Group (2016)
  • “Bidding Tips for Subcontractors” – Independent Electrical Contractors Fort Worth/Tarrant County Chapter Panel Discussion, 2016
  • “Public-Private Partnerships: How to Secure the Payment” – State Bar Conference for Construction Law (2017)
  • “Ethics for Construction Lawyers” – Dallas Bar Association, Construction Section (2015)
  • “Contracts for Design Services” – Texas Engineering Law CLE (2014)
  • “Review of Black + Vernooy/Third-Party Beneficiary Claims” – Dallas Bar Association, Construction Law Section (2014)
  • “Reviewing Contracts for Design Services” – Texas Engineering Law Seminar (2014)
  • “Ethical Issues in Construction Law” – Basics in Construction Course (2014)
  • “Dispute Avoidance, Management, and Resolution for Design Professionals” – Building Professional Institute (2013)
  • “Ethics in Construction Law” – Real Estate Development & Construction Law Seminar (2013)
  • “Texas Lien Rights for Engineers and Architects” – Building Professional Institute (2012)
  • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Construction Lawyer” – Dallas Bar Association, Construction Law Section (2012)
  • “Tips on Avoiding Malpractice for the Young Construction Lawyer” – State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2011)
  • “Construction Law Update” – University of Texas School of Law Construction Law Conference (2011)
  • “Current Developments and Practice Tips Involving Liens in Place” – (co-authored publication) University of Texas School of Law Construction Law Conference (2010)
  • “Breakthrough Collection Strategies in Texas” – National Business Institute (2005)
  • “Successful Judgment Collections in Texas” – National Business Institute (2004)
  • “Dealing with the Government : HIPPA” – AIA Forum, Selected Topics in Risk Management for Engineers and Architects (2004)
  • “Dispute Avoidance, Management and Resolution” – AIA Forum, Selected Topics in Risk Management for Engineers and Architects (2003)
  • “Arbitration” – Foundation Repair Association, Dallas Chapter (2003)

Insights