The Underwood Law Firm, P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of 3 Shareholders and a new office location in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Joining Melissa B. Kates in the Fort Worth office are: Cara D. Kennemer, Rick Lambert, and Richard E. Schellhammer.

“Our new attorneys have excellent reputations in the legal community and will be an asset to our growing Fort Worth presence,” said Alan Rhodes, President of the Underwood Law Firm.

Underwood’s main office is located in Amarillo with other offices in Lubbock, Pampa, and Hereford. While Underwood is a general practice law firm, they have a very strong education practice with an emphasis towards school district representation. Alan Rhodes confirmed that the Fort Worth office will focus on public education; construction matters including representation of owners, architects, engineers, and subcontractors in both transactional and litigation practices; representation of financial institutions in transactions and litigation, including collections; real estate transactions and litigation; and employment law. The Fort Worth office looks forward to continuing the Underwood leadership program developed by Melissa B. Kates with students at Birdville ISD.

Underwood’s new attorneys are:

CARA D. KENNEMER, a Fort Worth native, focuses her practice on construction law and business litigation, with an emphasis on design professional malpractice defense and commercial and residential construction litigation.

Cara assists clients with all aspects of the construction process, including negotiation and preparation of design and construction contracts, risk allocation, and project management. She litigates and arbitrates disputes involving design and construction errors, delay claims, building performance problems, lien and bond claims, collection of construction funds, and termination issues.

RICK LAMBERT has 22 years’ experience helping clients solve their legal issues in the areas of governance, employment, contract procurement, real estate, construction and dispute resolution at hearings and in litigation.

Mr. Lambert is a member of Board of Trustees for Garland ISD. With this legal experience plus his passion for public education, he is uniquely suited to represent Texas school districts. Mr. Lambert understands the needs of school districts from a client perspective. Mr. Lambert is a regular presenter at continuing education conferences for the Texas Association of School Boards.

RICHARD E. SCHELLHAMMER has been licensed for 32 years and focuses his practice on construction law and business litigation, with an emphasis on design professional malpractice defense and commercial and residential construction transactions and litigation. Richard frequently serves as a mediator and arbitrator in construction and business matters.

Richard has experience in all aspects of the construction process, including negotiation and preparation of design and construction contracts, risk allocation, and project management. He litigates and arbitrates disputes involving design and construction errors, delay claims, building performance problems, lien and bond claims, collection of construction funds, and termination issues.

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