Cara Kennemer represents and advises clients in all aspects of the development and construction process, from contract negotiation to risk management and project termination.
Cara Kennemer chairs the Construction Section at Underwood Law Firm and is Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. With a focus on commercial and residential construction, her practice encompasses all aspects of the development and construction process, from contract negotiation to advising clients on risk management and project termination.
Cara Kennemer’s expertise extends to litigation and arbitration of construction disputes, including design and construction errors, delay claims, building performance issues, lien and bond claims, and construction fund collection. Drawing on her deep understanding of the construction industry, she has represented and advised a wide range of clients, including owners, general contractors, construction managers, design professionals, subcontractors, municipalities, lenders, and material suppliers.
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
Board Certified- Construction Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Best Lawyers® in America, Construction Law, 2018-2024
“Top Attorney” 360West Magazine, 2024
Texas Super Lawyers, by Thomas Reuters, 2016-2024
Texas Super Lawyers, by Thomas Reuters, Top 50 Women, 2019-2024
Texas Super Lawyers, by Thomas Reuters, Top 100 Texas, 2019, 2022-2024
Texas Super Lawyers, by Thomas Reuters, Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth, 2019-2020, 2022-2024
“Top Attorney” Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, 2014-2023
Texas Super Lawyers, by Thomas Reuters, Rising Stars, 2012
Top 40 Under 40 Honoree, Fort Worth Business Press
“Overview of the Construction Industry and Glossary of Construction Terms,” State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2024)
“Texas Lien Law” – CRF Solutions Seminar (2024)
“The Art of Negotiating Construction & Design Contracts” – State Bar Conference for Construction Law (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); State Bar Basic Course in Construction Law (2016, 2017, 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)
“Alternatives to Securing Contractor Performance” – State Bar Conference for Construction Law (2017)
“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)
“Current Developments and Practice Tips Involving Liens in Place” – (co-authored publication) University of Texas School of Law Construction Law Conference (2010)
State Bar of Texas, 2002
U.S. District Court, Northern, Western, Eastern, and Southern Districts of Texas
J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, with Honors, 2002
B.A., University of Texas at Austin, with High Honors, 1998
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