Bernard Klimist

Bernard T. Klimist is a trial lawyer. He was born and raised in Dallas, a native born Texan. He has been Board Certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law for over 20 years. He has been a licensed attorney for over 30 years, since 1981, having graduated from SMU School of Law. Prior to that, he attended SMU obtaining a business degree with an emphasis in accounting. He obtained his law degree from SMU in 1981, immediately moving from Dallas to Victoria, Texas. After a year with a local firm he opened his own office which has now been open and in practice for over 30 years. The other part of his career was spent representing businesses and in corporate and tax law. Very quickly he realized his passion for the court room and moved into litigating all forms of cases at trial. His emphasis moved toward maintaining his roots in commercial and business litigation and personal injury to protection of those in need. Over the years he has handled numerous and complex cases drawing notoriety, having been interviewed and featured on HBO and Arts Entertainment regarding his representation in a capital murder case. In the last 30 years he has tried hundreds of cases including jury trials of all forms for both plaintiffs and defendants. He has obtained verdicts in the millions and has represented victims of devastating tragedies. He has handled hundreds of family law cases, representing people going through the most traumatic times of their lives and protecting children. He has been awarded the highest AV rating by Martindale Hubbell, the agency which gives rankings to legal professionals. Additionally, in 2011, he was named in Texas Monthly as a Super Lawyer for Plaintiff Personal Injury representation. He is licensed in both State and Federal court and is a sustaining fellow of the State Bar Texas Bar Foundation.

Bernard T. Klimist believes that it is not only his duty as a lawyer, but as a person, to give back to his community. He has been a member of the boards of numerous non-profit charity organizations in the Victoria area, such as Hospice and Theatre Victoria, and has served as a member of the VISD Board of Trustees since 2003, having just been re-elected to his fourth term. After joining the board in 2003, in 2004 he took the position as President to push the facility to the record bound election which resulted in the two new high schools and numerous other facilities in VISD. He remains Vice President of the board. He has also served as regional chairperson for the Do the Right Thing National Anti-Violence Initiative. As passionate as he is for his practice of law and his community, neither touches his dedication to his family. He has been with his wife Laura for almost 30 years and together they have a beautiful daughter, Kate. His wife, Laura Stuart Klimist, is a native Victorian. Bernard T. Klimist’s love for his family gives him the insight to help people as they face the problems that life presents them. As the case with a doctor, no one likes going to an attorney, but when it is necessary, you want someone who is experienced and will represent you as if they were your own family.