Scott C. Crutchfield is a Principal in GERMER PLLC’s Business section. His practice is primarily concentrated on representing Lenders and Borrowers in connection with HUD-Insured Loan transactions for the construction, refinancing and acquisition of Multifamily and Healthcare facilities under HUD’s various mortgage insurance programs, as well as property acquisitions and assumption of HUD-insured loans (“TPA’s”). Scott’s work in this area includes successful closings of numerous affordable transactions that combine HUD-insured financing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Tax-Exempt Bonds and various types of local, state and federal subordinate loan elements. Geographically, approximately one-half to two-thirds of the transactions Scott has closed are through the Southwest Multifamily Region based in Fort Worth, with the remainder being spread across each of the other HUD Multifamily Regions. Additionally, Scott provides services to Borrowers under conventional commercial loan programs, including but not limited to those administered by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and USDA. Finally, Scott provides traditional business services to clients, including the sale, purchase or leasing of commercial property, entity formation and general services and advice.

Kelli B. Smith earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law in 1998. While attending law school, she was a Teaching Quizmaster, an associate editor of the Texas Journal of Women and The Law, and excelled in Moot Court competitions. She has been with Germer since 1998 and has extensive experience handling appeals in state and federal courts, including more than 100 reported and unreported opinions. Kelli is admitted to practice before Texas courts, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States. Kelli is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Jefferson County Bar Association, Jefferson County Bar Journal Editorial Committee, Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Michelle Mehaffy American Inns of Court, the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas, and the Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit. Kelli’s experience is in appellate practice and general civil litigation, including products liability, insurance defense, professional malpractice defense, and class and complex litigation.

Karen R. Bennett, managing principal with the firm, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988 from the University of Texas at Arlington. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Texas Tech University. Karen has handled a docket of personal injury and civil litigation files since the beginning of her practice. She is also the principal in charge of the firm’s Family Law Department. She has litigated cases in the discovery phase and trial of several complex cases including those involving class actions and prescription drugs. She is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Texas, Texas state courts, the United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern and Southern Districts of Texas, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She is a member of the Texas Association of Defense Counsel, State Bar of Texas, Texas Women Lawyers, Jefferson County Bar Association along with Family Law Section, Eastern District of Texas Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, American Board of Trial Advocates, and Houston Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates. She also has served on the Board of Directors for the Jefferson County Bar Association and has been a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas and Mickey Mehaffy Inns of Court. She has served on the Board of the Jefferson County Bar Association Auxiliary and is a past President. She has also served on the Board of the Junior League of Beaumont. She was recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer”, a Thompson Reuters publication, in 2013-2024. Karen has been active in many local volunteer organizations in the community.