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Overview

With early in-house experience under her belt, Kierra assists clients with labor and employment matters.

Kierra has extensive experience in employment law, complex commercial litigation, and general liability. Her experience in the area of employment law is deep and covers virtually all disputes that arise in the employment context, including litigation concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), discrimination claims under Title VII, and workers’ compensation retaliation claims. Kierra’s broad knowledge of the litigation process helps clients develop strategies that achieve underlying business goals in the most efficient manner possible. She routinely handles matters for a wide range of organizations, including healthcare providers, institutions of higher education, school districts, public utilities, and a variety of private businesses.

In addition to her litigation practice, Kierra counsels clients on day-to-day employment matters, including standard policies and employee handbooks, employment agreements, severance agreements, terminations, retention and recruiting practices, disciplinary procedures, and requests for accommodation.

Before joining Husch Blackwell, Kierra served as a judicial law clerk for an Article III judge in the Western District of Missouri. During her clerkship, she gained firsthand insight into the inner workings of the federal court system. Kierra was responsible for drafting judicial orders and opinions, performing in-depth legal research, and analyzing complex legal issues. She also assisted with courtroom proceedings and gained trial experience. Kierra now draws on this experience to skillfully represent clients in all stages of civil litigation, from pre-trial motions to trial preparation and beyond.

Additionally, early in her career, Kierra was seconded to a large, privately held automotive company, where she drafted, negotiated, and reviewed contracts; assessed marketing materials and ensured compliance with legal regulations; and handled customer complaints received from third party entities. This experience taught her how to operate in the most efficient, cost-effective manner—and how important these considerations were to in-house counsel. She also saw firsthand the value of taking preventative steps to avoid future litigation, a lesson she applies daily to her labor and employment advice.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • The National Black Lawyers, 40 Under 40, 2022
  • Leadership Council for Legal Diversity Pathfinder Program, 2022

Education

  • J.D., Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law
    • summa cum laude
    • Thurgood Marshall School of Law Journal on Gender, Race & Justice, Editorial Board
  • B.A., Prairie View A&M University
    • summa cum laude
    • Criminal Justice

Admissions

  • Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Women of Law, Board Member, 2022-present
  • The Downtown Group, 2023-present
2024 Pro Bono Achiever
Experience
  • Handled internal company investigations with particular focus on investigating matters involving allegations of employment discrimination, harassment, and civil rights issues.
  • Initiated and facilitated briefings with senior executives to present investigation findings and recommendations for risk mitigation.
  • Attended mediations on behalf of employers, drafted company position statements, and negotiated settlements.
  • Investigated, responded, and resolved pre-suit demands and attorney letters.
  • Drafted various court documents, including responsive pleadings, orders, and dispositive motions.
  • Handled all aspects of depositions, including preparing deponents and taking and defending depositions.
  • Managed over 500 cases on behalf of defendant in a federal multidistrict litigation.
  • Drafted, negotiated, and reviewed master agreements as well as general terms and conditions for various goods and services.
  • Drafted and revised documents associated with commercial transactions, including non-disclosure agreements and various clauses in business agreements.
  • Revised form contracts or clauses executed in commercial transactions.
  • Reviewed company marketing materials and ensured compliance with legal regulations and marketing principles.
Outside the Office

Kierra is passionate about health and wellness. Her daughter is active in both competitive track and field and volleyball, and Kierra frequently joins her training sessions. She also enjoys traveling and attending professional sporting events.

Community Leadership

Kierra prioritizes community service and enjoys volunteering in her community. She also values mentoring diverse law students and young attorneys, and she has served as a Houston Volunteer Lawyer since 2020.