My interest in practicing Law sprouted in my undergraduate studies. Though I was born and raised in the Dallas area, I received my Bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University in Economics and Philosophy. I obtained my J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law. During law school, I not only met my law partner but also my life partner, Genevieve. We have been practicing law together since 2005, and we moved our law firm to South Texas to be closer family and friends. I enjoy problem solving, and with my 20 years of experience as a practicing attorney, I have learned how to apply this to my legal practice in a way that is beneficial to my clients. I help my clients navigate the tumultuous waters of divorce, child custody and property distribution issues. I excel at engaging courts in prosecuting personal injury claims, such as bodily injury due to car accidents, injury due to another's negligence, or breaches of contract or other business dealings. I am invested in getting the best results possible for all of my clients and assuring a satisfactory outcome for their cases.

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.

Chris A. Blackerby is a successful trial lawyer with 30 years of experience in a wide range of matters focusing principally on product liability and personal injury litigation as well as commercial and patent litigation. He has tried complex cases throughout Texas and elsewhere totaling over $2 billion in controversy. After graduating law school, Chris served as a Briefing Attorney to the Honorable James R. Nowlin in the United States District Court, Western District of Texas. After a successful practice at a large law firm in Austin, Chris joined Germer in 2008. Chris is a “Texas Super Lawyer” and is rated an AV Preeminent Attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. Chris routinely handles complex product liability lawsuits for manufacturers. His clients include tire, automotive, agricultural and construction equipment manufacturers. He has defended cases involving tires, air bags, seatbelts, roof/vehicle structures, rollovers, fires, seats and seat backs and general crashworthiness.

Michael Bridwell has been practicing litigation work in a variety of matters since graduating from the University of Texas School of Law in 1985. He represents a number of clients and companies in Texas and beyond in products liability, premises liability, personal injury defense, toxic tort and trucking matters.

Thomas M. Bullion III graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. After working for several years as an engineer, he went to law school at the Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas and graduated in 1984. Tom graduated Order of the Coif, was Chief Counsel of the Moot Court Board, and a member of the Barristers. Tom has been AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1990. After practicing at another Austin firm, he joined Germer in early 2008. Tom is licensed to practice in the Supreme Court of Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and all United States district courts in Texas. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the State Bar of Texas, Austin Bar Association. Tom has been recognized by “The Best Lawyers in America”, by BL Rankings, publication, since 2001 and a “Texas Super Lawyer”, a Thompson Reuters publication, from 2003-2007 and 2009-2023. Tom practices in the areas of products liability and personal injury.

Since 1988, J.C. Bailey has provided strategic legal solutions in Business and Probate Law. A graduate of Abilene Christian University and Baylor Law School, he is a member of the Order of Barristers, the State Bar of Texas, and the Tarrant County Bar Association. J.C. prioritizes constructive, professional advocacy, aiming for resolution through mediation and arbitration when possible, but he is also a respected trial attorney. Based in the Bedford office, he serves businesses, families, and even Texas Lottery winners with expertise and dedication.

Kim Smith has been advocating for injured workers in Texas since 2000. After earning her law degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, she began her career in Workers’ Compensation law, eventually managing her own firm. In 2013, she merged her practice with Bailey & Galyen, where she now leads the Workers’ Compensation Department in the Arlington office. A proud mother of six, Kim balances her passion for family with her dedication to protecting the rights of injured workers across Texas.

With decades of legal and leadership experience, Steve has built a distinguished career in personal injury, consumer protection, and commercial litigation. A seasoned trial attorney, he has handled over 100 jury trials, earning recognition as a Texas Super Lawyer (2004–2018) and Fort Worth Texas Top Attorney (2003–2017). Steve has served as President of the Tarrant County Bar Association, the Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, and the Fort Worth Jaycees. His dedication to the legal community and public service extends to his tenure as an elected director of the State Bar of Texas and Chairman of the Tarrant County Democratic Party. Respected for his professionalism and advocacy, Steve continues to make a lasting impact in the courtroom and beyond.

Kern Lewis joined Bailey & Galyen in 2020, bringing extensive experience in brain injury cases. He understands the devastating impact that a brain injury can have on someone’s life, and he has dedicated his career to fighting against the negligence of others. “There is hardly any injury more devastating than a traumatic brain injury. An injury to a person’s back, arms or legs is terrible – but a brain injury is an injury to the very core of who a person is,” says Lewis. “A brain injury impacts their memory, their personality, and their ability to think.” In a recent traumatic brain injury case – Lewis lived with his client for several days to be able to completely understand and experience the impact the injury had on her life. “When I told her story to the jury at trial – I was able to do so as someone who experienced it – not just heard about it. It makes a huge difference.” His client received the largest jury verdict ever awarded in that court. But even after the trial and the money was paid, he continued to work with that client and her family members to make sure she was taken care of. Lewis’ skills as a trial lawyer have earned him local and national recognition. He is double board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law and Consumer and Commercial Law, a distinction only 15 lawyers have obtained. Lewis has also been inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) with the rank of Associate and has an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest level of professional excellence. He has been repeatedly named to the Texas Super Lawyers list, which is an honor less than 5 percent of lawyers obtain. In 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2018 he was named a “Top 100” Trial Lawyer in Texas by the National Trial Lawyers Association. He was also named to the National Trial Lawyer’s list of Top 25 Brain Injury Lawyers in 2018.

Mr. Pierret attended the University of Dallas on full academic scholarship, obtaining a degree in Philosophy, and went straight to law school at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. His first job as an attorney brought him to Fort Worth as a briefing attorney for Justices Clyde Ashworth and David Farris on the Fort Worth Court of Appeals, and he has remained in Tarrant County for the past 35 years. Mr. Pierret’s practice has always revolved around tort law, both plaintiff and defense, and he has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law since 1991 and Personal Injury Law since 1998. He received a Top 10 Attorney Award in 2020 from the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, and he will devote his time at Bailey & Galyen to representing those who have been injured by someone else’s negligence.