About Kent Caperton
Kent A. Caperton
Kent Caperton opened his law office/consulting practice in January 2017. He focuses on clients with issues rooted in public policy. He deals with a wide range of issues, including healthcare, higher education, intellectual property, and infrastructure initiatives.
Prior to opening his solo practice, Mr. Caperton was a principal and senior member of the Ben Barnes Group. During his tenure as part of the Barnes Group, he dealt with issues at an international, national, and state level. Additionally, he worked with law firms on complex litigation matters.
Prior to joining the Barnes group, Mr. Caperton was a Managing Director at Public Strategies, focusing primarily on legislative, regulatory, and political policy for that firm’s national telecommunications client. He managed a large team of professionals in thirteen states embedded with the client.
Mr. Caperton was previously a shareholder in the Austin office of the law firm of Winstead, P.C. in the Litigation Section. Mr. Caperton’s legal practice included public policy matters, as well as civil litigation involving complex issues and multiple parties.
While serving as founding member of Caperton, Rodgers & Miller, P.C., Mr. Caperton also served as a State Senator from 1981-1991. His Senate service included a variety of assignments as Chairman of the Finance, Jurisprudence, and Criminal Justice committees. Additionally, he served as a member of the Texas Judicial Council, the Legislative Budget Board, and the Legislative Audit Committee. Texas Monthly consistently ranked Caperton on its Best Legislator list and in 1989 described him as “the consensus choice for the Best Legislator of the Year”. In 1987, he was described as “the dominant member of the Senate”.
Prior to his Senate service, Mr. Caperton served as Municipal Judge in Bryan, Texas; Visiting Lecturer at Texas A&M College of Business; Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Texas; and Assistant to the President of Texas A&M University.
Mr. Caperton holds a JD from the University of Texas School of Law and earned his B.B.A., cum laude, from Texas A&M University in 1971. He earned the status of a Specialist in Civil Trial Law in 1987 and maintained that status until the nature of his practice changed.
Mr. Caperton has been recognized for his contributions in the community and legal profession. He received the James Madison Award from the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas in 1988; the Mary Polk Leadership Award from the Texas Council on Family Violence in 1987; Outstanding Legislator from the Alliance for Judicial Funding in 1989, and as Lutheran of the Year in 1989.
Mr. Caperton currently serves on the Board of the Texas Appleseed Foundation, the Travis County Dispute Resolution Center, and the Board of Advisors for the Texas Nature Conservancy.
Mr. Caperton has also served on the Board of Advisors for the Freedom of Information Foundation, the Dean’s Roundtable at the University of Texas School of Law, The Board of Lutheran Social Services of the South, the Executive Committee of the University of Texas Law School Alumni Association, the Advisory Committee to the Texas A&M University Press, and on the Executive Committee of the Capital Area Boy Scouts.
About
- Founded solo law office/consulting practice (2017) – Focuses on public policy issues, including healthcare, higher education, intellectual property, and infrastructure.
- Ben Barnes Group – Served as principal and senior member, addressing issues at international, national, and state levels; assisted law firms on complex litigation matters.
- Public Strategies – Managing Director, focused on legislative and regulatory issues; managed a large team across 13 states.
- Winstead, P.C. (Austin office) – Shareholder in litigation, handling complex multi-party cases.
- Caperton, Rodgers & Miller, P.C. – Founding member; also served as Texas State Senator (1981–1991).
- Chaired Finance, Jurisprudence, and Criminal Justice Committees.
- Served on Texas Judicial Council, Legislative Budget Board, and Legislative Audit Committee.
- Earlier roles – Municipal Judge (Bryan, TX), Visiting Lecturer (Texas A&M College of Business), Assistant Attorney General (Texas), Assistant to the President (Texas A&M University).
- Education – J.D., University of Texas School of Law; B.B.A. cum laude, Texas A&M University (1971).
- Professional recognition – Specialist in Civil Trial Law (1987–retirement of certification).
- Awards – James Madison Award (1988), Mary Polk Leadership Award (1987), Outstanding Legislator Award (1989), Lutheran of the Year (1989).
- Current service – Board member of Texas Appleseed Foundation, Travis County Dispute Resolution Center, and Texas Nature Conservancy Board of Advisors.
- Past service – Served on UT Law School Roundtable, Lutheran Social Services of the South Board, UT Law School Alumni Association Executive Committee, Texas A&M University Press Advisory Committee, and Capital Area Boy Scouts Executive Committee.
Kent Caperton, PC
Advancing Policy Solutions That Shape Daily Life. Addressing Critical Issues with Lasting Impact.