Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Knapp.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kimberly. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started law school later in life than most. I had worked full-time, primarily as a bartender, to put myself through undergrad and took classes occasionally at the junior college. When I graduated with my Associate’s Degree in paralegal studies from Tarrant County College, I decided that I wanted to learn more about the law and enrolled in Texas Wesleyan University. There I met my advisor, Dr. Michelle Payne, who would become my mentor and inspiration. With her help and pushing me to be the best, I decided law school was the place for me.
I had developed a passion for the law that I realized I would never be satisfied with a career outside of practicing the law. I received full-tuition scholarships to both Baylor Law School and Texas Wesleyan School of Law. I visited Baylor and fell in love with the campus. They also had a practice court requirement that I knew I needed because I wanted to be a trial attorney. Baylor also offered a concentration in criminal law, which I received with my degree. I knew that I wanted to be a trial attorney practicing criminal law and Baylor was the perfect fit, so I accepted my scholarship and moved to Waco.
I went straight through law school, graduating in just over two years. I had to wait to take the bar exam since I had graduated early, so I got an internship/volunteer position with the Judicial Staff Counsel for Tarrant County District Courts. This allowed me to work with each of the District Court Judges and assist in resolving Writs of Habeas. When I received my results that I had passed the bar, I formed a partnership with a colleague that I had met and worked within the law school. After a year, I decided to form a solo practice and pursue my calling of ensuring the criminally accused received the rights afforded to them by the Constitution. Since that time, I have tried numerous criminal jury trials, helped the wrongfully accused have charges against them dismissed or be found not guilty, and worked with countless other clients to reach a satisfactory result to their case.
I now have my own firm, employing an associate attorney and a full-time legal assistant. We represent citizens accused in ten counties across the DFW/Central Texas area, in every\aspect of their cases, all the way through jury trials and appeals, if necessary. I am blessed that in the seven years I have been licensed, I have been able to have this much success on my own, going from a single-room office with a solo practice in Fort Worth to having excellent staff and practice growing across the State.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s always hard going out on your own as a new attorney. Building a practice and a client base takes time and effort. You can be a brilliant attorney, but until you have clients and have built that reputation, it’s very hard to Thankfully, I have received guidance from a number of excellent, experienced attorneys that have helped me along the way. As a woman, I would be remiss if I didn’t also point out that working in a male-dominated field is not easy. Respect does not come easy and you have to work just as hard, if not harder than male attorneys for it. As a professional woman, I also feel that you’re expected to maintain your appearance regardless of how much extra work it requires, which isn’t easy when you also have to stay up late and show up early for a trial, or anything else this job requires.
We’d love to hear more about your practice.
My firm is primarily a criminal defense firm. We represent citizens accused throughout the Central Texas area, though the majority of our work is in counties in the DFW Metroplex. Both myself and my associate attorney are graduates of Baylor University School of Law, and we are tenacious and not afraid of going to trial when necessary. We have both received several honors and awards, including being named Rising Stars by Texas Super Lawyers and Top Attorneys by Fort Worth Magazine. I’ve also been named a Top Attorney by 360 West Magazine.
I am proud that after only six years of practice, I was able to bring an associate attorney onto the team as of July 2019. I have vast experience in family violence assault cases and other serious felonies. My associate is exceptionally skilled in defending DWI’s and has been published numerous times on the matter. Together I believe we offer an outstanding body of knowledge to offer our clients. I think that the time and care we give to our clients and the dedication we bring to every case makes us stand out.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think our city offers a lot of opportunities to those willing to work hard. I started my own firm right out of law school and have grown my business from there. You will have to be a go-getter to make it on your own. We have an amazing Defense Bar with supportive, experienced attorneys who helped me gain the experience I needed to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1020 Macon Street, Suite 9
Fort Worth, TX 76102 - Website: www.kimknapplaw.com
- Phone: 817-870-9885
- Email: kknapplaw@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimKnappLaw
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