Biography
Kate Goodrich is a governmental affairs consultant in the Austin office. She started her career as a federally registered lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and grew to become a senior advisor to legislators at the Texas Capitol. As the former General Counsel and Deputy Committee Director of the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Kate assisted in the development of numerous complex pieces of legislation and monitored the financial appropriations processes for large state agencies. She has also worked as a policy advisor in the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Natural Resources and Economic Development Committee. Previously, as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., Kate worked directly with U.S. Senate and House of Representatives staff to draft and amend strategic policies on behalf of her clients.
Kate’s background in state and federal government gives her an in-depth and practical knowledge of the legislative and appropriations processes. She is a respected member of the governmental affairs community and has forged deep relationships at the Capitol and beyond.
Kate earned her J.D. at the University of Texas School of Law. While in law school, Kate interned for Hon. Robert Pitman in the Western District of Texas. She also participated in the Legislative Lawyering clinic, while simultaneously serving as an attorney ad litem for children in foster care in the Children’s Rights Clinic. Kate received a M.A. in Global Affairs from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.
Education
B.A., magna cum laude, The University of Texas at Austin
M.A., Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
J.D., The University of Texas School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
Publications
View the list of Jackson Walker articles published by Kate Goodrich »
Speaking Engagements
- “Annual Legislative Update,” Industry Council on the Environment (November 2023)
- “2023 Legislative Update Panel,” Jackson Walker Internal CLE (July 2023)
- “Protecting Our Foreign Clients in the Wake of SB 147 – A Panel Discussion,” Jackson Walker Internal CLE (May 2023)
- “Legislative Updates on Environmental Law,” Industry Council on the Environment (January 2023)
- “How the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Affects Texas,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (December 2021)
- “Legislative Update: ‘Come on to my house’,” 33rd Annual Texas Environmental Superconference (August 2021)
- “Legislative Update,” Central Texas Commercial Association of Realtors (CTCAR) (July 2021)
- “Texas Legislative Update: An Overview of Developments in Environmental Law during the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature,” Dallas Bar Association Environmental Law Section (June 2021)
- “Overview of 87th Texas Legislature: Key Bills, the State Budget, and Jackson Walker’s Role,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (June 2021)
- “Legal and Logistical Questions Raised by the CDC’s Residential Evictions Moratorium,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (September 2020)
- “Economic Development in 2020 and Beyond,” Jackson Walker, the Valued Advisor Fund, the Texas Mezzanine Fund, and CHHS webinar (July 2020)
- “Eviction Orders in Texas: Where We Are and What’s Coming,” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (June 2020)
October 17, 2023
InsightsTexas Attorney General Opinion Finds That Governor’s Emergency Executive Orders Have “The Force and Effect of Law,” Including Criminal Penalties
On September 10, 2021, Williamson County Attorney Dee Hobbs requested an “expedited” ruling from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in response to his question of whether executive orders issued by Abbott in response to the COVID-19 pandemic should be “criminally enforceable,” including against public servants who violate the orders. Just over two years later – on September 14, 2023 – he received this reply.
By Kate Goodrich
February 6, 2023
Spotlight‘Capitol Inside’ Recognizes Denise Rose and Jackson Walker’s Legislative Team in the 2023 “Texas Lobby Power Rankings”
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the legislative team’s inclusion in the 2023 “Texas Lobby Power Rankings” from Capitol Inside, a recognized source for news and information on Texas politics and government. In addition, Denise Rose was ranked among the “Hired Guns” list of the top lobbyists in the state.
December 1, 2021
PodcastsHow the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Affects Texas
~6.5 minutes | With President Biden signing the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill into law, Texas is set to receive an estimated $35.4 billion to improve infrastructure. Amanda Crouch and Kate Goodrich walk through a number of projects listed in the plan and discuss how improvements for Texas roads, highways, bridges, broadband, ports, and more are allocated in the law.
September 2, 2021
InsightsNew Texas Laws Impacting Businesses
On September 1, 2021, more than 650 new Texas laws went into effect. As businesses ensure compliance with several of the new laws, Jackson Walker provides a summary below of a number of newly effective and upcoming laws related to “Constitutional Carry”; COVID-19; diversity, equity, and inclusion; open government; sexual harassment claims; and the Texas Business Organizations Code.
August 12, 2021
Speaking EngagementsKate Goodrich Presents on Recent Legislation Impacting Energy and Environmental Laws in Texas
During the 33rd Annual Texas Environmental Superconference, Jackson Walker attorney Kate Goodrich joined Elizabeth Fazio Hale of Gulf Coast Authority for a legislative update on recent legislation related to the electric market, energy, and environmental laws.
July 30, 2021
InsightsGovernor Abbott Lifts Suspension of Certain Texas Open Meetings Act Provisions
Effective September 1, 2021, all provisions of the Open Meetings Act will be effective and all Texas governmental bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act must conduct their meetings in full compliance with the Open Meetings Act as written in statute.
July 8, 2021
InsightsTexas Legislative Update on Governor Abbott’s Special Session Agenda
Texas legislators have convened for a special session to address the 11 agenda items recently issued by Governor Abbott. This article summarizes the items up for discussion during the session, including two emergency items on bail reform and election integrity that did not reach the governor’s desk during the regular session.
June 28, 2021
PodcastsOverview of 87th Texas Legislature: Key Bills, the State Budget, and Jackson Walker’s Role
While many thought the 87th Texas Legislature would be limited in scope to COVID-related needs, the end results were much more expansive. Government Relations & Public Policy attorneys Denise Rose and Kate Goodrich cover some of the key bills that passed and failed, the state budget, and the role Jackson Walker’s Legislative team played during the recent legislative session.
June 22, 2021
InsightsLegislative Update on Pandemic-Related Bills Sent to Governor Abbott
By Kate Goodrich
Of the approximately 150 bills and resolutions related to COVID-19 that were filed, only 20 were passed by the 87th Texas Legislature and sent to Governor Abbott for signature. This article summarizes three pandemic-related bills that successfully reached the Governor’s desk during the regular session.
June 9, 2021
InsightsTexas Governor Signs Law Banning ‘Vaccine Passport’ Statewide
By Kate Goodrich
On Monday, June 7, Governor Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that prohibits any business operating in Texas from requiring what has been referred to as a “vaccine passport.” Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are exempt and can still require visitors to show proof of vaccination.