Kennedy Sutherland LLP is pleased to announce Karen M. Neeley has joined the Firm, effective Augusta 24, 2015, as Senior Attorney and will establish an Austin, Texas office. Karen has provided legal services to community banks throughout Texas and beyond for over 30 years. In addition to serving as General Counsel for the Independent Bankers of Texas, she is a permanent member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Bank Counsel. Karen advises banks on regulatory compliance, examination preparation, policies and procedures and has special expertise in Bank Secrecy Act, fair lending and other consumer compliance matters.

This expertise will complement Kennedy Sutherland's community bank corporate, securities and regulatory practice involving capital and debt offerings, bank holding company formation and expansion, mergers and acquisitions, loan documentation and tax credit finance practice.

"The addition of Karen Neeley to our team brings a very powerful dynamic to our Firm and her legislative focus and experience is a welcome complement to our efforts on behalf of the industry in Washington DC,"  commented Patrick J. Kennedy, Jr. , Managing Partner.

Kennedy Sutherland LLP provides a full complement of services for the community banking industry including corporate, securities, bank regulatory and complex transactions, including government guaranteed lending, tax credit and community development finance. The firm has expertise in bank technology and new products and services. The Firm maintains offices in San Antonio and Austin, Texas but enjoys serving clients nationwide.

For more information contact:

Patrick J. Kennedy, Jr. Kennedy Sutherland LLP 112 E. Pecan St., Suite 2810 San Antonio, Texas 78205 pkennedy@kslawllp.com 210-228-4431 direct office 210-213-0279 mobile

Karen M. Neeley Kennedy Sutherland LLP 1717 W 6th Street, Suite 441 Austin, TX 78703 kneeley@kslawllp.com 512- 289-0594 mobile