Paula K. Lear

Professional Background

Experience

• Represents clients in every stage of litigation, from pre-trial investigation and preparation through the appellate process
• Experienced in all areas of commercial litigation
• Represented clients defending class-action matters involving computer manufacturer service contracts and insurance industry software use
• Managed large-scale, complex discovery and electronic-document production for a multinational information technology client
• Served as in-house corporate counsel for a corrugated packaging and building products company, handling claims and litigation concerning contract disputes and products and premises liability, with a heavy emphasis on enforcing contractual indemnity clauses and additional insured provisions

Admitted to Practice

• Texas
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas

Education

• University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas
  - J.D., 1996, cum laude
  - Trial Advocacy Bench Trial, Best Advocate, 1996
  - Judicial Internship, Justice Nathan Hecht, Texas Supreme Court, Summer 1996
  - Hippard Mock Trial Competition, First Place, 1995
  - Summer Judicial Internship, Honors Award, 1995
  - Judicial Internship, Federal Magistrate Mary Milloy, Southern District of Texas, Summer 1995
  - Best Appellate Brief Award, First Year Legal Writing
• University of Texas, Austin, Texas
  - B.A., English, 1989

Professional & Community Activities

• State Bar of Texas
  - Appellate Section
  - Litigation Section
• Austin Bar Association
  - Civil Appellate Section
  - Civil Litigation Section
• Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit