Experience
Kristi brings a deep commitment to social justice to the firm, as well as extensive mitigation experience. Before law school, she worked as a social worker for people living with HIV/AIDS and those struggling with the challenges of mental illness, drug addiction, and incarceration. Her commitment to social justice continued throughout law school and after—as a Soros Justice Fellow with Texas Defender Service, where she provided direct representation in habeas corpus appeals of indigent Texans under sentence of death, including preparation for Panetti v. Quarterman before the United States Supreme Court. After her fellowship ended, Kristi briefly worked at the Travis County Attorney’s Office prosecuting misdemeanors before joining the firm.
Professional Qualifications & Affiliations
Education: Trinity University (B.A. in Communication, 1996); The University of Texas School of Social Work (M.S.S.W., 2001); The University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors,2005). President of Texas Law Fellowships, Manuscript Editor of the Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, 2004-2005.
Fellowship: Soros Justice Advocacy Fellow, Texas Defender Service, 2005 – 2007.
Certifications: Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Practitioner - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2008; Licensed Master Social Worker.
Trial Skills Training: Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Texas Criminal Trial College, 2008.
Member: State Bar of Texas, Fifth Circuit; Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Travis County Women Lawyers Association, Austin Young Lawyers Association.
Publications & Presentations
-
Criminal Defense for Immigration Attorneys and Paralegals, American Gateways Legal Services for New Americans, formerly PAPA (Political Asylum Project Austin), February, 2009.
-
How to Protect Yourself: Alcohol and Legal Rights and Responsibilities, Chi Omega Sorority, University of Texas, November, 2008.
-
How to Protect Yourself: Alcohol and Legal Rights and Responsibilities, Pi Phi Sorority, University of Texas, November, 2008.
-
What to Do When, Private Reception in Austin, TX, November, 2008.
-
Think Backwards: A Guide to Turning the Criminal Justice System on Its Head and Slow Down: Working with Clients with Mental Illness at the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Associations Continuing Legal Education Conference entitled "Representing Mentally Impaired Clients" on October, 28, 2008.
-
If I Get Pulled Over, Should I Take The Breath Test?: A Guide to Navigating Criminal Law Emergencies, Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, May 2008.
-
Law of Contempt, Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, May, 2008.
-
What to Do When, Private Reception in Austin, TX, Feb. 2008.
-
How to Protect Yourself: Alcohol and Legal Rights and Responsibilities, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, University of Texas, Feb. 2008.
-
Do Prisoners Have a Right Under the Eighth Amendment to HIV Testing on Demand, Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, Spring 2004.
Community
Kristi is Clerk of the Vestry of St. George’s Episcopal Church and serves on the Board of Morning Star Rising, a grassroots nonprofit that helps adolescent girls positively transition to young adulthood.
Off-The-Record
In her spare time, Kristi enjoys driving and working on her red 1964 convertible Karmann Ghia. |
Kristi Couvillon, Attorney
Email:
kc@sg-llp.com
Phone:
512-381-9955
|
