
Kathleen J. Wu
Partner
kwu@akllp.com
Suite 3700
Dallas TX 75201
P: 214.659.4448
F: 214.659.4802
Kathleen's practice is concentrated in the areas of real estate, finance, and business transactions. Her broad-based representation includes all aspects of the acquisition, management, and disposition of real estate, the origination and servicing of securitized and non securitized loans, hospitality industry matters, and general business matters.
Most recently, Kathleen was recognized as one of "Dallas/Fort Worth's Most Influential Women" in the Dallas Business Journal's inaugural Women in Business Awards program. Additionally, she was recently selected to the "Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas" list by Texas Diversity Magazine. Kathleen has also been recognized as a member of the 2007 edition of the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America, as well as one of the top real estate lawyers in Texas on several occasions. In 2003 - 2007, Texas Monthly Magazine named Kathleen a Texas "super lawyer" and DMagazine named Kathleen one of the best lawyers in Dallas. In addition, in 2003, the Texas Lawyer Magazine named Kathleen as one of the top six "go to" real estate lawyers in the state.
Kathleen is a speaker and author on multiple issues affecting women in the workplace including articles in the National Law Journal, Texas Lawyer, Lawyers Network and Legal Times. Most recently, one of Kathleen's articles was featured on The Wall Street Journal's Law Blog and she was a guest on the Legal Broadcast Network. In 2008 Kathleen was selected as one of the "50 Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas" by Texas Diversity magazine. In 2006 and 2005 Kathleen was nominated as a finalist for the Association of Women Journalists Vivian Castleberry Award for her work with such publications. Additionally, Kathleen is a 2007 recipient of the "Women of Spirit" Award from the American Jewish Congress and the 2007 recipient of the Justice David Wellington Chew Award from the Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas. In 2006 Kathleen was awarded the prestigious Louise B. Raggio Award by the Dallas Women Lawyers Association and in 2005 she was awarded the Highest Achievement in the Law Award from the Asian American Chamber of Commerce. Kathleen often serves as a commentor for the national public radio Dallas affiliate and is very active and participates in a variety of local, charitable and civic organization.
Articles / Publications
- "What Minority Lawyers Can Learn From Obama" Texas Lawyer (June 23, 2008)
- "What Women Lawyers Can Learn From Hillary" Texas Lawyer (March 24, 2008)
- "Diversity is a Journey, not a Destination" Texas Bar Journal (February 2008)
- "The Comeback, Kids: Gain a Recruiting Advantage By Bringing Back Departed Lawyers" Texas Lawyer & New York Law Journal (December 24, 2007)
- "Finding Work/Life Balance in Heels" Embracing Diversity, ABA Newsletter (December 2007)
- "Big Bucks v. Baby Bottles: Finding Balance in the Legal Business" Texas Lawyer (October 22, 2007)
- "Saying Goodbye to Summer Associates" Texas Lawyer (July 23, 2007)
- "Shrill With a Very Smart Suit" LegalTimes (June 25, 2007)
- "Too Feminine or Not Feminine Enough?" Texas Lawyer (April 23, 2007)
- "The Mission, If They Choose to Accept It: Workplace Battles for the Next Generation of Women Lawyers" Texas Lawyer (January 22, 2007)
- "It Takes Two to Make a Good Marriage" Texas Lawyer (October 23, 2006)
- "There's a Reason It's Called the 'Practice' of Law" Texas Lawyer (July 31, 2006)
- "Spoiled or Special? The Over-Scheduled, Over-Praised Generation Goes to Work at the Firm" Texas Lawyer (May 22, 2006)
- "Ask and You May Receive" Texas Lawyer (January 23, 2006)
- "Opting Out: Everyone Loses When Young Women Abandon the Workplace" Texas Lawyer (October 24, 2005)
- "Good Sports - A Level Playing Field Gives Women Equipment to Succeed" Texas Lawyer (August 22, 2005)
- "When Women Leave, Dollars Leave" Texas Lawyer (May 23, 2005)
- "The Fruits (and Vegetables) of Your Labor" Texas Lawyer (January 17, 2005)
- "You've Come a Long Way, Ladies" Texas Lawyer (November 22, 2004)
- "Diversity and the Bottom Line: Top-Performing Companies Have More Women at the Top" Texas Lawyer (August 23, 2004)
- "To Get What You Want, Ask for It" Texas Lawyer (May 24, 2004)
- "Cupcakes, Laundry and Tyra Banks - Relieve Stress by Stepping Away From the World" Texas Lawyer (December 29, 2003)
- "Look the Part: What to Wear, from Head to Toe" Texas Lawyer (September 22, 2003)
- "Get In With the In Crowd—Ensure Your Survival at the Firm Despite the Slower Market" Texas Lawyer (December 31, 2001)
- "With Change in Economy Comes Change in Dress" Texas Lawyer (October 22, 2001)
- "A Guide to Life After Law School—Don't Wring Your Hands Too Much" Texas Lawyer (September 3, 2001)
- "Let's Play Follow the Leader—Hiring and Retaining Women at Firms Should Be a Priority" Texas Lawyer (July 2, 2001)
- "Rules Summer Associates Should Live By" Texas Lawyer (May 14, 2001)
- "Double Duty: Motherhood and Lawyerhood" Texas Lawyer (April 2, 2001)
- "New Women and Minority Partners Unite" Texas Lawyer (January 29, 2001)
- "Women Boost the Profession and the Bottom Line" Texas Lawyer (January 1, 2001)
- "Don't Take the Wave of Prosperity for Granted" Texas Lawyer (October 16, 2000)
- " 'Survivor' Lessons for Young Women Lawyers; Your Skills, Not Your Smile, Lead to Success at the Firm" Texas Lawyer (September 11, 2000)
- "Fake It Till You Make It—It's Important to Dress for Success, Even During the Age of 'Business Casual' " Texas Lawyer (June 5, 2000)
- "Vote Mom: Juggling Motherhood and Work Takes Effort" Texas Lawyer (May 1, 2000)
- "Panel-Style Mentoring" Texas Lawyer (March 6, 2000)
- "Set Your Professional Boundaries" Texas Lawyer (January 31, 2000)
- "So You Just Passed the Bar: A New Lawyer's Guide to Life in the Profession" Texas Lawyer (November 15, 1999)
- "How I Spent My Weekend in the Mountains (Or, How Single Dads Can Save the Legal Profession)" Texas Lawyer (October 25, 1999)
- "Legal Regals" Texas Lawyer (September 27, 1999)
- "Title IX and 'She' Doctors" Texas Lawyer (September 27, 1999)
- "Creating a Brave New World" Texas Lawyer (May 31, 1999)
- "Life, Family and the Pursuit of Partnership" Texas Lawyer (May 31, 1999)
- "Quality, Not Quantity" Texas Lawyer (May 31, 1999)
- "The Secret of My Success" Texas Lawyer (May 31, 1999)
- "The Daddy Trap" Texas Lawyer (January 18, 1999)
- "Is Mentoring All It's Cracked Up to Be?" Texas Lawyer (November 16, 1998)
- "Making Part-Time Work Work" Texas Lawyer (October 19, 1998)
- "A Role Model We Can Live Without" Texas Lawyer (September 14, 1998)
- "A Threat to Working Women Everywhere?" Texas Lawyer (August 17, 1998)
- "Hazards of Being a Female Flier" Texas Lawyer (July 13, 1998)
- "Making Yourself Presentable" Texas Lawyer (June 15, 1998)
- "Watch Your Language" Texas Lawyer (May 18, 1998)
- "Are Women Really "Bitchy" Bosses?" Texas Lawyer (March 16, 1998)
- "Beyond the Links" Texas Lawyer (March 16, 1998)
- "Straddling the Work/Life Divide" Texas Lawyer (February 16, 1998)
- "Making Partner...Perhaps" Texas Lawyer (January 19, 1998)
Briefings, Seminars & Speeches
- Panelist, "Inspiring Women: Humor & War Stories to Reach the Top of Your Game," Dallas Bar Association, Dallas, TX (June 11, 2008)
- Keynote Speaker, National Asian American Heritage Month Diversity Series, Dallas, TX (May 2008)
- Panelist, "The Balancing Act: An Interactive Panel Discussion on Successful Life Management," International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), Dallas, TX (September 27, 2007)
- Panelist, "Accelerating the Growth of Businesses Owned by Women of Color," Center for Women's Business Research/The Center for Women's Leadership, Dallas, TX (September 20, 2007)
- Moderator and Panelist, "Effectively Positioning your Women's Initiative within other Diversity Projects & Firm Departments," Pushing the Issue Forward: Retaining & Advancing Women Attorneys in your Firm, Chicago, IL (July 23, 2007)
- Keynote Speaker, Dallas Bar Association Minority Participation Committee's Minority Clerkship Luncheon, Dallas, TX (June 8, 2007)
Professional / Civic Affiliations
Member
- City of Dallas Judicial Nominating Commission (appointed December 12, 2007 by the Dallas City Council)
- Girls Inc., Nominating Committee (2008)
- General Counsel to United States Tennis Association - Texas Section (appointed June 1, 2007)
- The Dallas Summit (membership by invitation only)
- Dallas County Hospital District Blue Ribbon Master Capital Plan Advisory Committee (appointed in 2006 and 2005 by the Dallas County Commissioners Court)
- The Women Presidents' Organization (membership by invitation only)
- Texas Cultural Trust Council Board of Directors and Executive Committee
- Women's Leadership Exchange (Southwest Board)
- Greenhill School Board of Trustees and Executive Committee
- The Dallas Assembly (membership by invitation only)
- The Dallas Citizens Council (membership by invitation only)
- Turtle Creek Manor (Board of Directors)
- Attorneys Serving the Community (Co-Honorary Chair, 2003)
- State Bar of Texas Task Force on Women and Minorities (appointed in 2006 by the State Bar of Texas)
- Dallas Bar Association
- State Bar of Texas
- New York State Bar Association
- Connecticut Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Listed
- Recognized as one of "Dallas/Fort Worth's Most Influential Women" in the Dallas Business Journal's inaugural Women in Business Awards program
- Recognized among the 2008 "Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas" by Texas Diversity magazine
- Recognized among the Top 500 Leading Lawyers in America by Lawdragon, 2008, 2007, 2006
- Awarded the 2007 Justice David Wellington Chew Award by the Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas
- Recipient of the 2007 "Women of Spirit" Award by the American Jewish Congress Southwest Region
- Recognized among the Top 500 Dealmakers in America by Lawdragon in 2007
- Awarded the 2006 Louise B. Raggio Award by the Dallas Women Lawyers Association
- Awarded the 2005 Highest Achievement in the Law by the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce
- Named Finalist in 2006 and 2005 by the Association for Women Journalists for the Vivian Castleberry Award
- Named one of the "Top Five" Real Estate Lawyers in Texas, Texas Lawyer - Go To Guide
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers" in Dallas, D Magazine
- Named a "Super Lawyer," Texas Monthly, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003
- Named one of the "Top 50 Women Lawyers," Texas Monthly
Media
- "What Women Lawyers Can Learn From Hillary," (March 24, 2008)
- "The Comeback, Kids: Gain a Recruiting Advantage By Bringing Back Departed Lawyers," Texas Lawyer and the New York Law Journal (December 24, 2007)
- "Saying Goodbye to Summer Associates," Texas Lawyer (July 23, 2007)
Headline News
- Andrews Kurth Partner Recognized Among Texas’ Most Powerful and Influential Women (May 23, 2008)
- Andrews Kurth Announces Policy Committee Election (August 16, 2007)
- Andrews Kurth Attorney Receives “Dealmaker” Recognition: Kathleen Wu Named a Top 500 Practitioner on Lawdragon List (July 31, 2007)
- Andrews Kurth Partner Receives Justice David Wellington Chew Award from Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas (May 16, 2007)
- Andrews Kurth Partner Receives ‘Women of Spirit’ Award (April 6, 2007)
Industries
Practice Areas
Education
- JD, 1985, George Washington University
- BA, 1982, Columbia University
Admitted
- Texas
- New York
- Connecticut

