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.

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.

As a second generation lawyer, Scott Renick believes strongly in protecting the rights of individuals and the right to trial by jury. Before founding the Renick Law Firm, PLLC, Scott served as a Texas prosecutor and worked at successful law firms focused on fighting for injured people in Texas. Scott focuses his practice on personal injury and insurance disputes. Scott handled hundreds of cases for Texas citizens fighting insurance companies to have their homes repaired the right way from damage caused by Hurricanes Rita and Ike. Scott has served as the President of the Board of Directors for The Garth House, which provides free counseling services to children who are victims of abuse. Scott is a proud member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. Scott is admitted to practice in Texas, including the Eastern District of Texas.