Kennon was raised in Austin by parents who play and love music. She's lived in Austin most of her life: She went to public school, undergrad, and law school here, and she has been a lawyer here for over 15 years. Before entering the legal field, Kennon managed a family-owned business, volunteered as an ESL teacher, and worked as a substitute teacher. She is a proud Democrat who believes that our judicial branch of government’s success depends on judges upholding their obligation to be impartial in relation to all people who appear before them.
Photo Credit: Natalie Seeboth
“It’s not about years. It’s what you’ve done with those years.”
Kennon has represented people and businesses involved in complex commercial litigation, general civil litigation, and civil appeals. At the trial level, she represents both plaintiffs and defendants. To appeals, she brings experience and expertise that she gained as a law clerk and rules attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas and as an intern for the Third Court of Appeals in Austin.
Kennon’s deep-rooted involvement in her community began at a young age. Her proven track record—and passion—for service includes, among other things, being in the Peer Assistance and Leadership (PAL) program in high school, being a student athlete at UT Austin, leading a service committee at UT Austin, serving on Texas Folklife’s board to advance the preservation of Texas’s diverse cultures, working to increase access to justice, starting a local Day of Service Project in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., volunteering regularly for nonprofits and law-related committees, serving in leadership positions in the legal community, and doing pro bono legal work on a regular basis.
Kennon has co-written a book and law-review articles on discovery in Texas litigation. She has also written and presented multiple Continuing Legal Education articles. She lives in Austin with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog.
“I believe that we are stronger together than we are apart and that all humans—regardless of our race, ethnicity, religion, creed, financial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic—should be treated kindly and fairly. If I am fortunate enough to be a judge here, I will give everyone before me a fair shake, and I will preside with kindness and with care.”
awards & recognition
• Texas Super Lawyers Selectee, 2019
• Travis County Women Lawyers Association (TCWLA) Litigation/Appellate Attorney Award 2018
• State Bar of Texas “Standing Ovation” Volunteer Award
2017
• Texas Rising Star, a Thomson Reuters Business
2008, 2009, 2013 — 2017
• Austin Bar Association President’s Award of Merit
2017
• Austin Bar Association Outstanding Director Award
2015
• AYLA President’s Award of Merit
2011
• Special Commendation of the Supreme Court of Texas and State Bar of Texas
2011
• State Bar of Texas Presidential Citation
2010
• AYLA Outstanding Director Award 2009
• State Bar of Texas Pro Bono College 2015, 2018 – 2019
community involvement
• Capital Area Democratic Women
At Large Board Member
• Blue Action Democrats
Social and Service Committee Member
• League of Women Voters of Texas, Austin Area
Member
• Texas Legal Services Center
Secretary & Board Member
• University of Texas at Austin Friar Society
Friar
• Texas Folklife
Board Member, 2005 — 2009
• Austin Friends of Traditional Music
Board Member, 2005 — 2006
bar admissions & service to the bar
• Admitted to the State Bar of Texas and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern Districts of Texas
• State Bar of Texas Annual Business Disputes Course
Planning Committee Member, 2019
• State Bar of Texas Civil Appellate Practice 101 Course
Course Director, 2019
• State Bar of Texas Business Disputes Course
Course Director, 2018
• State Bar of Texas Advanced Civil Appellate Practice Course
Planning Committee Member, 2018
• Texas Judicial Council Civil Justice Committee’s Advisory Council
Member, 2018 — present
• State Bar of Texas Annual Advanced Business Law Course
Planning Committee Member, 2017
• American Law Institute
Member, 2017 — present
• Supreme Court Advisory Committee
Member, 2017 — present
• Supreme Court Advisory Committee Ex Officio Member, 2016 — present
• Texas Commission to Expand Civil Legal Services
Member, 2015 — 2017
• Austin Young Lawyers Association
President, 2012 — 2013; Board Member, 2007 — 2014
• Austin Bar Association
President-Elect, 2019 – present; Secretary, 2018 — 2019; Treasurer, 2017 — 2018; Board Member, 2013 — present
• Austin Bar Association Publications/Website Committee
Chair, 2013 — present
• Austin Bar Association Appellate Council
Member, 2009 — 2011
• Austin Lawyer
Editor-In-Chief, 2013 — 2019
• The Advocate, the State Bar Litigation Section Report
Editorial Board Member, 2008 — present
• Supreme Court of Texas Task Force for Rules in Expedited Actions
Member, 2011 — 2012
• Travis County Women Lawyers Association
Member, 2011 — present
• State Bar Standing Committee on Court Rules
Member, 2011 — present; Chair, 2016 — 2018; Vice Chair, 2014 — 2016
education
University of Texas School of Law
J.D. with honors
2004
University of Texas at Austin
B.A., Psychology, with highest honors 1999
select publications & presentations
Click here to see a full list of Kennon’s publications.
Kennon Wooten
Texas Bar CLE Presentation
• Robert K. Wise and Kennon L. Wooten, A Guide to Taking and Resisting Discovery Under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. Lawyer 2019).
• Kennon L. Wooten and Robert K. Wise, Dos and Don’ts of Discovery in Texas Civil Proceedings; Presentation at the Austin Bar Association’s Fourth Friday CLE on April 26, 2019.
• Kennon L. Wooten, Ethical Considerations for Common Situations: Representing Entities and Communicating with Other Parties and their Counsel; Presented at the Austin Bar Association’s 2018 Holiday Ethics Free CLE on December 7, 2018.
• Kennon L. Wooten, Using Alternative Fee Arrangements to Make More Money and Help More People; State Bar of Texas webcast presented with Paula Pierce, Donivan Flowers, and MacKenzie Dunham on November 28, 2018.
• Kennon L. Wooten and Robyn Hargrove, Permissive Interlocutory Appeals and Mandamus: Picking Your Procedural Path Prudently; Presented at the 32nd Annual Civil Appellate Practice Course on September 7, 2018.
• Kennon L. Wooten and David Shank, Ethics for Business Lawyers: An Overview of Considerations for Common Situations; Presented with David Shank at the UT School of Law 27th Annual LLC, LPs and Partnerships Course on July 13, 2018.
• Kennon L. Wooten and Anne Johnson, Rule 91a Dismissals and Appeals; Presented with Anne Johnson at the 28th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals on June 14, 2018.