Dallas, Texas – January 21, 2025 – Kelly Watkins McPheeters LLP is proud to announce its formation as an appellate law firm dedicated to serving trial lawyers and their clients across Texas and New Mexico. The firm, founded by former appellate court justices Peter Kelly and Beth Watkins and experienced appellate attorney Morgan McPheeters, is committed to providing expert, effective appellate advocacy and strategic trial support.
Former Justice Peter Kelly brings to the firm more than three decades of legal experience, including his tenure on the Houston’s First Court of Appeals from 2019 through 2024. Board-certified in Civil Appellate Law, Kelly is widely recognized for his deep understanding of substantive law and public policy considerations, knowledge of judicial processes, and his commitment to winning just results for his clients. Kelly is a member of the American Law Institute and Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee.
Former Justice Beth Watkins, who served on San Antonio’s Fourth Court of Appeals from 2019 through 2024, has been board-certified in Civil Appellate Law since 2008. Watkins is highly regarded for her understanding of judicial decision-making, powerful advocacy, and ability to navigate complex legal challenges efficiently and effectively. She is passionate about giving back to her community, serving as the San Antonio Bar Association President from 2017-218 and teaching at St. Mary’s University Law School since 2004.
Morgan McPheeters, who is based in Dallas, is an experienced appellate attorney with an extensive practice in Texas and New Mexico. McPheeters is deeply respected for her grasp of the interplay between legal theory and legal practice and her ability to enable trial lawyers to achieve optimum results for their clients. She is also a trusted resource among the Bar and regularly speaks at continuing legal education programs. McPheeters chairs the Texas Trial Lawyers Association Amicus Committee and serves on the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association Board of Directors.
Kelly Watkins McPheeters LLP specializes in appellate litigation and offers a wide range of services in both state and federal court, including serving as lead appellate counsel, appellate collaboration and consulting, trial and mediation strategy, briefing, and argument. The firm will leverage decades of experience and accumulated knowledge to deliver exceptional results in catastrophic personal injury cases, commercial disputes, and insurance coverage matters.
The firm’s team of attorneys will be assisted by Kristi Lassiter as the firm administrator and lead paralegal. Lassiter brings more than twenty years of technical experience in appellate case management, and holds a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Design and HR Management from the University of North Texas.
“Our mission is to provide trial lawyers with unmatched appellate expertise and support,” said founding partner Beth Watkins. “We are dedicated to our clients’ success, and stand ready to provide the insights, skills, and hard work necessary for trial lawyers to succeed in trial and appellate courts. We want to win—together.”
Trial lawyers seeking appellate expertise are encouraged to contact Kelly Watkins McPheeters LLP. For more information, send us an email or call 469.862.8233.