Working as a social worker for people living with HIV/AIDS and those struggling with the challenges of mental illness, drug addiction, and incarceration, led to Kristi’s decision to enter law school.  Her commitment to social justice extended through law school, as she interned with several nonprofits, including the Texas Civil Rights Project, where she focused primarily on police brutality cases, and the Texas Defender Service.  Following law school, Kristi was awarded a Soros Justice Fellowship to continue her efforts at the Texas Defender Service.  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.  She performed mitigation investigations, and worked on several policy matters.  After her fellowship ended, Kristi briefly worked at the Travis County Attorney’s Office prosecuting misdemeanors.  She joined Sumpter & González in the fall of 2007 and has worked on cases ranging from public intoxication to capital murder.

Education:

• Trinity University, San Antonio, TX (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

Fellowship:

• Soros Justice Advocacy Fellow
• Texas Defender Service August 2005 – August 2007

Member:

• State Bar of Texas
• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Austin Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
• Travis County Women Lawyers Association
• Austin Young Lawyers Association.

• Phi Kappa Theta Sorority, University of Texas: How to Protect Yourself: Alcohol and Legal Rights and Responsibilities, February 4, 2008;
• Private Reception, Austin, Texas:  What to Do When, February 6, 2008;     
• Author, Do Prisoners Have a Right Under the Eighth Amendment to HIV Testing on Demand, Texas Journal on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights, Spring 2004;
• The Biopsychosocial Aspects of Living with HIV/AIDS, Annual Texas National Association of Social Workers Conference, October 2001.

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.

In her spare time, Kristi enjoys driving and working on her red 1964 convertible Karmann Ghia.