معرفی
Beth Watkins serves as Practicing Faculty at St. Mary's University School of Law, teaching state pretrial practice and police liability while co-founding the appellate firm Kelly Watkins McPheeters LLP in 2025. Previously, she served as Justice on the Fourth Court of Appeals (2019-2024) with a notable record of zero dissenting opinions and low reversal rates.
Her educational background includes a J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She maintains active licensure with the United States Supreme Court Bar, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Texas State Bar.
Watkins' expertise centers on appellate procedure and civil law, with specialized knowledge in constitutional challenges, police misconduct litigation, and pretrial motion strategy. Her practical experience informs her teaching methodology, emphasizing real-world judicial decision-making and persuasive advocacy techniques for appellate contexts.
Professional recognition includes:
- Super Lawyer designation for Appellate Law (Texas Monthly, 2016-2019)
- Rising Star honors (Texas Monthly, 2009-2016)
- Best Lawyers in San Antonio recognition (Scene in SA Monthly, 2007-2019)
- Outstanding Young Lawyer of San Antonio (2007)
She maintains extensive bar association leadership, having served as Past President of the San Antonio Bar Association, San Antonio Bar Foundation, and Community Justice Foundation. Current roles include State Bar of Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee membership, Amicus Committee service for the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, and elected Director of the San Antonio Trial Lawyers Association. As a Life Fellow of both the San Antonio and Texas Bar Foundations, she demonstrates sustained commitment to legal community development.
Watkins has represented clients in over 200 state and federal appeals, including landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and Texas Supreme Court, leveraging her Board Certification in Civil Appellate Law (held since 2008) to shape appellate strategy. Her collaborative approach consistently yields consensus-driven judicial outcomes.
