Karina focuses her practice on complex business, construction and personal injury litigation, including all stages of pretrial and trial work. She has extensive experience representing businesses and individuals in a wide array of business litigation matters, including:
Karina also has experience in cases involving personal injury and property claims involving automobiles, commercial transportation, construction sites and commercial properties.
Karina is actively involved in the community. Most notably, she served on the San Antonio Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners from 2009-2016. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro (and former San Antonio Mayor) appointed her to the Board in 2009. SAHA is one of the nation’s largest housing authorities and seeks to provide quality affordable housing and a path to self-sufficiency for families in need. While on the Board, Karina chaired the Finance Committee which oversaw an annual operating budget in excess of $170 million. She also oversaw the Audit Committee, and was instrumental in developing and implementing the agency’s internal audit policy and function.
Karina joined Sheehy Ware Pappas & Grubbs in 2019 and is a member of the Firm’s Transportation & Trucking, Construction Litigation, and Commercial & Business practice groups.
First-chair jury trial experience defending major franchisor in lawsuit alleging participation in breach of fiduciary duty resulting in take-nothing judgment in favor of defendant franchisor following two-week jury trial.
Represented Chief Executive Officer of corporation with over 400 shareholders in lawsuit alleging securities fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. Successfully argued plea to the jurisdiction resulting in dismissal of all claims against defendant CEO.
Represented international charity in will contest involving disputed claim to decedent’s estate valued in excess of $2.5 million.
Co-authored Private Letter Ruling Request to Internal Revenue Service seeking modification to IRC §6166 Election involving taxable estate valued in excess of $100 million.
Co-authored Private Letter Ruling Request to Internal Revenue Service seeking modification to IRC §6166 Election involving taxable estate valued in excess of $100 million.
Represented appellant before Fourth Court of Appeals in case involving breach of contract claim, resulting in successful reversal of adverse judgment.
Represented defendant property owner against claims of fraud and forgery, resulting in take-nothing judgment in favor of defendant following bench trial.
Represented E-commerce company in prosecution of trademark cancellation proceeding resulting in company’s ability to register its desired trademark.
Represented citizen activist in lawsuit by county government seeking recovery of monetary judgment in Declaratory Judgment action, resulting in defeat of county’s claim for judgment.
St. Mary’s University School of Law, JD 2005 (Full Scholarship Recipient, Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Fraternity, Dean’s List)
The University of Texas at Austin, BA 2001 (Scholarship Recipient)
Member, Board of Commissioners, San Antonio Housing Authority 2009-2016 (Chair, SAHA Finance Committee; Chair, SAHA Audit Committee)
State Bar of Texas
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association
UT Health Science Center Planned Giving Advisory Council Member
San Antonio Scene Magazine’s “Best Lawyers of 2019”
San Antonio Scene Magazine’s “San Antonio Rising Stars” 2009 and 2010
Ms. Cantu was also included in San Antonio Magazine’s 2019 Top Attorneys List.
Texas
US Tax Court
US District Court for Western District of Texas