Kim is a trial lawyer who represents clients in high-stakes personal injury actions and complex commercial litigation. She is nationally recognized as one of the preeminent pharmaceutical and medical device trial attorneys, having served as trial counsel in high-profile cases throughout the country.
Overview
Kim is a trial lawyer who represents clients in high-stakes personal injury actions and complex commercial litigation. She is nationally recognized as one of the preeminent pharmaceutical and medical device trial attorneys, having served as trial counsel in high-profile cases throughout the country.
Practice Areas
About
Although clients value Kim’s legal strategy at every stage of litigation, her phone often rings when a trial date is set. At that time, she prepares with ferocity and does not rest until she knows more about the facts than anyone else in the courtroom.
Chambers USA recognized Kim for nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts (2021-2023) and Texas: Austin & Surrounds – Litigation: General Commercial (2023). In its 2023 editorial, Chambers stated that Kim “is an experienced trial lawyer who excels in the handling of complex pharmaceutical and medical device cases.” Chambers also included the following quotes from clients and peers about her expertise:
- "Kim Bueno is fantastic. She can connect with juries in ways that other lawyers just can't."
- “Her success speaks to her enormous talent as a trial lawyer to cut through the facts and connect with jurors. She is so easy to work with and you can see why juries love her: she is credible, relatable, prepared, a true advocate and a hard worker.”
- “She is a phenomenal trial lawyer who is great to work with.”
- “Kim is not only an accomplished trial lawyer, she also comes in and does everything and anything to help. She's a team player.”
The Legal 500 US recognized Kim in 2023 in its editorial for nationwide Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action Defense - Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices and stated “[a]lthough she is capable at all stages of the litigation process, Austin-based partner Kim Bueno is particularly adept at trying cases.”
Kim is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Association and is involved in a variety of organizations including IADC, DRI and the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section.
She obtained her J.D., high honors, from The University of Texas School of Law and her B.A., summa cum laude, in Political Science and Journalism, from Southern Methodist University. She is admitted to practice in Texas.
Experience
- Freeman v. Ethicon, Inc., Case No. 2:20-cv-10661-CBM-SKA, U.S.D.C. (C.D. Calif.): Served as lead trial counsel in a 10-day jury trial involving pelvic mesh that resulted in a complete defense verdict (September 2022).
- Shears v. Ethicon, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-00264, U.S.D.C. (N.D. W.Va.): Served as lead trial counsel in an eight-day trial involving pelvic mesh that resulted in a complete defense verdict (March 2022).
Distinctions
- Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business
- Product Liability & Mass Torts – Nationwide, 2021-2023
- Litigation: General Commercial – Texas, 2023
- The Legal 500 US
- Recognized in the editorial for nationwide Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices – Defense, 2023
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 2008
- U.S. District Courts
- Texas: Northern, Eastern, Southern, Western
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- 5th Circuit
Education
- The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., high honors, 2008
- Order of the Coif
- Southern Methodist University, B.A., Political Science and Journalism, summa cum laude, 1996
Associations
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Travis County Women Lawyers' Foundation
- Austin Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
Papers, Presentations & Publications
- Speaker, "Changes in Juror Perceptions Post-Covid," DRI 2023 Drug and Medical Device Seminar, May 5, 2023.
- Panelist, "Trial Lawyer Roundtable," Pro Te: Solutio, Vol. 15, No. 1, March 2022.
- Panelist, "Navigating the New Hybrid World of Virtual/In-Person Trial Practice: Managing Shifting Client and Court Expectations and Implementing Strategies for Successful Outcomes," 26th Annual Conference on Drug & Medical Device Litigation, December 7, 2021.
- Presenter, "Visual Advocacy: How to Effectively Persuade Through Graphical Demonstrations," TexasBarCLE, Business Disputes Course, September 2, 2021.
- Co-Author, “Guidelines for Mass Tort Aggregate Settlements in Texas,” The Advocate, Litigation Section of the State Bar of Texas, 2016.