Dallas Bar Association
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Focus | Intellectual Property/Science & Technology Law
January 2022 Volume 47 Number 1
Krisi Kastl: DBA’s 113th President BY LINDSAY DRENNAN
The Dallas Bar Association (DBA) is delighted to welcome its 2022 President, Kristina N. “Krisi” Kastl, the 10th female President of the DBA since its founding in 1873. Kastl is the founder of Kastl Law, P.C., a plaintiff ’s personal injury firm she started with the primary goal of making a difference in the lives of her clients. In particular, Kastl has been noted for her accomplishments in the courtroom, including over 75 trials that have gone to jury verdict, and has been a long-time advocate for women in the legal profession. This commitment to helping others is reflected in all areas of Kastl’s life according to Laura Benitez Geisler, who has known Kastl for nearly 20 years. Geisler says she and Kastl connected as two of only a few female plaintiff ’s lawyers who were active in the Bar when they started out. Geisler shares that one of Kastl’s defining characteristics is her generosity, which is demonstrated by her support of local Bar activities and Equal Access to Justice, “not to mention the countless volunteer hours she has given in service to the profession.” Geisler went on to say that, “aside from her generosity, what makes Krisi stand out as a person, lawyer, and leader is how she goes out of her way to lift people up and make them feel included. Humble in her own accomplishments, Krisi is truly a champion of others.” Indeed, Kastl’s new role is just the next chapter in a long history of Bar service and involvement. Since graduating from the University of Texas—El Paso in 1995 and Texas Tech University School of Law in 1999, Kastl had been constantly active in Bar groups and associations, including, but not limited to, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Dallas Women Lawyers Association, as well as the DBA. She also participates in Dallas Hispanic Bar Association, J.L. Turner Legal Association, and the Dallas Asian American Bar Association events and programs. Kastl also brings a wealth of previous leadership experience to her role as DBA President. She previously served as the President of the Dallas Women Lawyers Association in 2011, President of the Texas Women Lawyers in 2018-2019, and Chair of the American Association for Justice Women Trial Lawyers Caucus in 2018-2019. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and the DBA. She continues to serve as an advisory board member for the Dallas Women Lawyers Association and the Texas Women Lawyers Association. Kastl assumes the presidency as the DBA (along with the world) continues to navigate the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic, a role those who know her say she is well-equipped for. Retired Justice Elizabeth Lang-Miers, who has known Kastl more than
Karen McCloud to Receive 2022 MLK, Jr. Justice Award Posthumously BY LAURA BENITEZ GEISLER
Krisi Kastl
10 years through their joint participation in the DBA, notes that some of Kastl’s best qualities are “energy and enthusiasm tempered by the ability to focus on what is necessary.” Whether through her signature eye-catching pink clothing or her championship of those around her, this passion shines through in all Kastl does. Lang-Miers notes, “There’s always something that comes up when you are president that you don’t expect. It’s great to have that enthusiasm in our leadership, especially in light of COVID where we’ve had to pivot on a dime so many times.” Kastl’s passion for the role is apparent in speaking with her. When asked what she was most excited about in the coming year, Kastl quickly listed a variety of speaker programs and events aimed at reuniting the bar in person, to the extent it is safely possible. In fact, Kastl named finding ways to get DBA members back to the Arts District Mansion as a top goal for 2022. While she hopes to build on the accessibility the remote options, she also plans to launch a campaign to return in-person programming as we are “Better Together; Reunited—Back in the Grove for 2022.” Among the programs Kastl hopes to bring to the Arts District Mansion are a speaker series highlighting past female DBA presidents, a speaker series of attorneys who have been significant “firsts” for the legal profession, a Young Lawyers initiative—the Future is Bright—and a more lighthearted Spring Fling or Fall Festival to celebrate the return of in-person events. Kastl also emphasized her enthusiasm for building on the diversity, equity and inclusion work outgoing DBA president Aaron Tobin, and past Presidents Paul Stafford and Rob Crain have done over the last year, bolstering the affiliation of the DBA and affinity bars. A particularly exciting project for Kastl is “Relaunch”—a program aimed at returning attorneys to the workforce who left the continued on page 26
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“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. (February 4, 1968) The greatness of a life lived in service to others embodies Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and legacy. It is why we commemorate Dr. King’s birthday each year with a National Day of Service. It is why the Dallas Bar Association will recognize Karen D. McCloud posthumously with the 2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Award. Through his words and deeds, Dr. King was a champion at communicating the virtues of a life led in service to others. In doing so, Dr. King left behind a legacy of service that endures through humble servant leaders like Karen D. McCloud. Dr. King’s “Drum Major Instinct” sermon speaks to the greatness of leading in service to others. That is, the greatness that comes when our “Drum Major Instinct”—the ego’s desire to be out front, to be the best, to feel important—is channeled to lead in service to others with “a heart full of grace” and “a soul generated by love.” Dr. King delivered the “Drum Major Instinct” sermon two months before his life was tragically cut short. A powerful lesson in leadership and humility, Dr. King concluded by sharing some prophetically introspective thoughts he had been having about death, and how he hoped to be remembered. He asked that his eulogy not mention unimportant things like where he went to school, or that he had won a Nobel Peace Prize. Rather, Dr. King expressed the hope that someone would mention that he tried to give his life in service to others, that he tried to love others, and that he lived his life trying to help those in need. And if he were to be remembered as a drum major, Dr. King asked that it be said he was a drum major for peace, justice, and righteousness. In the end, he said, all he wanted to leave behind was a “committed life.”
Committed to Exemplifying Dr. King’s Life and Legacy
When her life was cut short at age 49, Karen D. McCloud left behind a “committed life” —a life led in furtherance of her commitment to do good for others. By Dr. King’s definition of greatness, Karen was one of the greatest among us, a true servant leader. She lived every day striving to answer what Dr. King called life’s most persistent and urgent question, “What
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Karen D. McCloud
are you doing for others?” —and for as much as Karen did for others, she was always asking what more she could do. Karen exemplified greatness with extraordinary humility. As my best friend for more than 20 years, I bore witness to her greatness many times, along with the modest manner with which she would refuse applause and recognition. Rather than accept thanks or praise for her good deeds and accomplishments, Karen would downplay her efforts, give credit to someone else, then seize the opportunity to recruit others to join her in service. However, there are a few things that should be known about Karen D. McCloud and her greatness. You should know that Karen would rather be remembered as a person who went to law school to help others and fight injustice than be remembered as a graduate of Georgetown Law School and an accomplished employment lawyer. Karen would rather be remembered as a drum major for service to the profession than be remembered for her service as President of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Dallas Women Lawyers Association, J.L. Turner Legal Association, and that as First Vice-President of the Dallas Bar Association she was slated to serve as President in 2022. Karen would rather be thought of as a drum major for pro bono and equal access to justice for all than be remembered for the countless hours she spent as a volunteer pro bono lawyer or Equal Access to Justice campaign cochair who helped raise over $1 million dollars for DVAP. Karen would hope to be remembered as a drum major for mentoring rather than be recognized for the
COMMITTEE
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SELECTIONS
You can now select your Committees with your 2022 dues renewal. DBA dues must be current to continue receiving all Committee communications & benefits. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to volunteer!