When organizations face hard decisions about technology and data—novel issues, or situations where something has already gone wrong—I’m the person they call. They trust me to be direct and to never lose sight of the people facing the problem. 

Kate’s practice sits at the intersection of law, data, and technology, advising organizations on how to govern, protect, commercialize, and build with data and AI across the full arc of their operations.

She represents a wide range of clients on matters spanning AI governance and strategy, data law, privacy, cybersecurity, commercial technology transactions, and information governance. Her practice covers the full spectrum of regulated and sensitive data, and a key part of her value to clients is recognizing when a transaction or issue implicates specialized regulatory requirements and ensuring they have the right expertise to address them.

She works closely with clients to understand their objectives and identify risk, keeping an eye on both the evolving regulatory landscape and the client’s broader strategic goals. The aim is to deliver solutions that are legally sound, commercially sensible, and built to hold up as the law and technology continue to change.

Her engagement with AI is not new. Well before generative AI entered the mainstream conversation, she was advising clients on machine learning, predictive analytics, facial recognition, and IoT, at a time when these technologies were just beginning to move from research into enterprise deployments. That foundation shapes how she thinks about the AI and data questions businesses face today.

Areas of Focus

Education

Education

  • Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law (J.D., 2008)
  • Southern Methodist University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2001)
    • University Honor's Program
    • Departmental Distinction
    • Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • District of Columbia
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Texas
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Texas

Leadership

  • International Association of Privacy Professionals, Privacy Law Specialist Advisory Board, 2024–present
  • Dallas Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2016–2019
  • Dallas Bar Association, Science & Technology Law Section, Chair, 2021; Vice-Chair, 2020; Treasurer, 2019; Board Liaison, 2018–2019; Council Member, 2024
  • Dallas Bar Association, Morris Harrell Professionalism Committee, Co-Chair, 2015; Co-Vice-Chair, 2014; Board Liaison, 2016, 2018
  • Dallas Bar Association, Admissions & Membership Committee, Co-Chair, 2020; Co-Vice Chair, 2019
  • Dallas Bar Association, Campaign for Equal Access to Justice, Co-Chair, 2018–2019; Co-Vice Chair, 2017
  • Dallas Bar Association, Transition to Law Practice Program, Chair, 2015–2016; Mentor, 2014–2020
  • Dallas Bar Association, STEER Mentoring Program, Mentor, 2021, 2025–present
  • Dallas Bar Association, Legal Line, Co-Vice Chair & Board Liaison, 2019
  • Dallas Bar Association, Legal Ethics Committee, Board Liaison, 2016, 2018
  • Dallas Bar Association, Franchise and Distribution Section, Board Liaison, 2016
  • Dallas Bar Association, WE LEAD: Women Empowered to Lead in the Legal Profession, 2020
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL) Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2020–2022
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL), Fellows Program, Chair, 2022; Vice-Chair, 2021; Secretary-Treasurer, 2020
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL), Leadership Class, 2012
  • DWLA/DAYL Mentoring Circles Program, Co-Chair, 2019; Mentor, 2016–2020, 2023
  • Dallas Women Lawyers Association (DWLA), Board of Directors, 2017–2019
  • Dallas Women Lawyers Association (DWLA), President's Advisory Board, 2024
  • DBA Community Service Fund, Board of Directors, 2018–2019
  • Dallas Women's Foundation, Grants Review Committee, 2015–2016
  • William "Mac" Taylor American Inn of Court, Bencher, 2010–present
  • Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court, Barrister, 2015–2018
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center, President's Advisory Board, 2022–2024
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center, Government Relations Committee, 2019–2023
  • The Cary Council, Southwestern Medical Foundation, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Founder's Circle, 2020–present; Steering Committee, 2015–2019
  • Dallas Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers Foundation, Fellow
  • Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Texas Bar College, Member

Recognition

  • Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2021–2026
  • Texas Super Lawyers, Top Women Attorneys, Thomson Reuters, 2022–2023
  • Rising Stars, Thomson Reuters, 2014–2018
  • Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, 2018–2026
  • Outstanding Mentor Award, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, 2018
  • Presidential Citations, Dallas Bar Association, 2018, 2019

Speeches/Publications

  • Interviewee, "Beyond Compliance in the Age of AI: A Conversation with Kate Morris," American Bar Association's SciTech E-Privacy Newsletter, December 2024
  • Speaker, "Generative AI in Action - Tools and Techniques for Lawyers," Dallas Bar Association, Artificial Intelligence Symposium, October 2024
  • Speaker, "Code & Conduct - Legal Ethics in the Age of AI," State Bar of Texas, Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar, October 2024
  • Co-Author, "Risks & Insurance Implications for Companies Leveraging AI," Tools & Intel, July 2024
  • Speaker, "Bytes, Bots, and Bar Duties: Data Protection in the Age of AI," Texas State Bar Paralegal Division, Districts 2, 12 & 14, April 2024
  • Speaker, "Strategic Oversight: Directors, Officers, and Board Accountability in the Age of AI," Dallas Bar Association, Science & Technology Law Section, April 2024
  • Speaker, "Rise of the Machines: What to Expect in the Legal Profession From Generative AI," William "Mac" Taylor American Inn of Court, April 2024
  • Speaker, "Bytes, Bots and Bar Duties," Dallas Trial Lawyers Association, January 2024
  • Speaker, "Matryoshka Effect: Unpacking the Layers of Emerging Privacy and Cybersecurity Issues," Lawline, December 2023
  • Speaker, "Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Evolving Challenges and Key Priorities," 7th Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Law Conference, The Center For American and International Law, September 2023
  • Speaker, "Eyes on the Future: Privacy & Technology in 2023," Dallas Women Lawyers Association, June 2023
  • Speaker, "Spring Awakening: Blossoming Trends in Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Law," Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, May 2023
  • Speaker, "The Doomsday/Not Doomsday Update: Data Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Protection Risks in 2023," 45th Annual Corporate Counsel Institute, The University of Texas Law Continuing Legal Education, May 2023
  • Speaker, "Cybersecurity, Cyber-Insurance and Privacy," State Bar of Texas, Handling Your First or Next Blockchain Transaction, April 2023
  • Author, "HODL - Cybersecurity & Privacy on the Blockchain," State Bar of Texas, Handling Your First or Next Blockchain Transaction, April 2023
  • Co-Author, "Crime & Sacrifice: Criminal Liability for Concealing Data Breaches," DBA Headnotes, February 2023
  • Speaker, "Privacy Post-Dobbs," Dallas Bar Association, Science & Technology Law Section, November 2022
  • Speaker, "What Lawyers & Business Leaders Need to Know About Data Security & Managing Legal and Financial Risk," SMU Rowling Center for Business Law & Leadership, October 2022
  • Speaker, "International Privacy Laws and Enforcement Actions Update," Essential Cybersecurity Law, The University of Texas Law Continuing Legal Education, July 2022
  • Speaker, "Protecting Trade Secrets in a Remote Work Environment," Collin County Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section, February 2022
  • Speaker, "New News, New Secrets: Hot Topics in Data Privacy and Security," State Guard - Texas Military Department, November 2021
  • Speaker, "Hot Topics in M&A: Data Privacy and Cybersecurity," Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, November 2021
  • Speaker, "Privacy in 2021 - What You Don't Know Can Hurt You: Privacy and Cybersecurity for Your Law Firm," State Bar of Texas, Computer and Technology Section, September 2021
  • Speaker, "Protecting Trade Secrets in a Remote Work Environment," Dallas Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section, August 2021
  • Speaker, "The Secure Entrepreneur," Green Lights & Red Flags: FTC Rules of the Road for Business, June 2021
  • Speaker, "A New Normal: Perspectives on the Profession," Dallas Bar Association, Science & Technology Law Section, July 2020
  • Speaker, "Technology Bootcamp: Data Protection for Law Firms," Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Minority Attorney Program, May 2020
  • Speaker, "Seeing Clearly in 2020: Dealing With Privacy Risk Today," Dallas Bar Association, Corporate Counsel Section, March 2020
  • Author, "Slicker than a Boiled Onion: What Texas Lawyers Need to Know About Data Privacy, the GDPR, and the CCPA," Texas Bar Journal, February 2020
  • Speaker, "Why Privacy Matters: Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Update," Texas Minority Counsel Program, State Bar of Texas, November 2019
  • Panelist, "Creating a Meaningful Legacy Through Mentoring," DWLA/DAYL Mentoring Circles Program, January 2019
  • Co-Author, "Privacy Risk in Outsourcing," Texas Lawyer, January 2019
  • Speaker, "GDPR and New Cyber Horizons in 2018," Today's General Counsel Institute, November 2018
  • Speaker, "Ethics in Cybersecurity," Today's General Counsel Institute, November 2018
  • Speaker, "Data Protection and Privacy: A New Look At 'Private Banking'," Southwest Association of Bank Counsel, November 2018
  • Author, "A Privacy Law Heard Around the World," Scotsman Guide, November 2018
  • Speaker, "Technology Competence & Data Protection in Litigation: A Sit-Down Talk About Ethics and Privacy for Stand-Up Lawyers," Dallas Bar Association, Trial Skills Section, October 2018
  • Speaker, "Data Protection Ethics: A Different Kind of Dirt Law," Dallas Bar Association, Real Estate Section, October 2018
  • Speaker, "Data Protection 2018-2020: Achieving Compliance When You Don't Have Enough Time, Budget, or Management Attention," Texas General Counsel Forum, Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter, September 2018
  • Speaker, "Privacy and Data Protection 101," Dallas Paralegal Association, September 2018
  • Speaker, "Data Protection Update," State Bar of Texas, August 2018
  • Speaker, "Collecting and Reviewing Due Diligence," Dallas Association of Young Lawyers' Deal Boot Camp, August 2018
  • Speaker, "Privacy, the GDPR, and You: A Practical Approach," Fort Worth IT Symposium, August 2018
  • Speaker, "Secrets of Success: What I Wish I'd Known as a Younger Lawyer," Dallas Bar Association, June 2018
  • Speaker, "Privacy, Data Protection and the Lack Thereof," State Bar of Texas, Advanced Administrative Law Seminar, June 2018
  • Speaker, "Exploring the Ethical Duty of Technology Competence," Dallas Bar Association, May 2018
  • Speaker, "Ethics Jeopardy!," Dallas Bar Association, March 2018
  • Speaker, "Lawyers in Cyberspace: A Survey of Ethics in Data Security," Dallas Bar Association, February 2018
  • Speaker, "Coming Out of Shadow IT: Lighting Up Data Security," Texas Association of Bank Counsel, September 2017
  • Speaker, "All Things Data Privacy," Dallas LGBT Association, May 2017
  • Speaker, "Business Legalities: Focus on IT Outsourcing," US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce Annual Global Fusion Summit, April 2017
  • Speaker, "Twenty Things I Wish I Knew As a Young Lawyer," Dallas Bar Association, March 2017
  • Speaker, "Social Media and Cybersecurity in the Workplace," Texas Society for Healthcare Human Resources Annual Conference, November 2016
  • Speaker, "The Proof is in the Pudding," Dallas Young Lawyers Association, September 2016
  • Speaker, "Tech Talk: Data Privacy and Security," Texas Housing Authority Conference, August 2016
  • Speaker, "eDiscovery 2015 Federal Rules Changes," State Bar of Texas, May 2016
  • Speaker, "Legal Obligations and Student Safety in the Virtual World," Region 10 Education Law Forum, March 2016
  • Co-Author, "High-Tech Tools for New World Problems," Texas Lawyer, October 2015
  • Speaker, "The Proof is in the Pudding," Dallas Young Lawyers Association, September 2015
  • Speaker, "Ethical Issues in Social Media," 37th Annual Advanced Real Estate Course, State Bar of Texas, July 2015
  • Speaker, "Welcome to the Practice of Law," Transition to Law Practice Program, Dallas Bar Association, February 2015
  • Quoted, "SEC's Probe of SolarWinds Hack Targets Execs, but for Doing What?," ALM Law.com, August 2023
  • Quoted, "How Private Are Learning Platforms Used by Texas Schools? Here's What a Study Found," Fort Worth Star Telegram, May 2022