DALLAS – Shackelford, McKinley & Norton, LLP, partner Kara Hargrove, an emerging go-to source for clients in the affordable housing tax credit industry, has been selected as one of 11 Rising Stars to be honored Sept. 30 at the annual Texas Legal Awards presentation.
One of the Texas legal industry’s most prestigious honors, the Rising Stars category is typically dominated by members of national and global firms and this year Ms. Hargrove is one of just four honorees from Texas-based firms. It is a distinction that adds further significance to her selection, said firm founder John Shackelford
“We are proud that Kara has been singled out for what we believe is justifiable recognition for her remarkable skills,” Mr. Shackelford said. “A problem solver who can deftly handle complicated matters with the insight and assuredness of attorneys twice her experience, she is a proven champion for our affordable housing clients.”
Ms. Hargrove is a 2018 graduate the Dedman School of Law at SMU, where she received the American Bar Association’s 2018 Student Editorial Award for her work as managing editor of the SMU International Law Review Association’s Year in Review. She earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 2012.
She joined Shackelford’s industry-leading affordable housing legal team in 2019 and quickly displayed her mettle at handling complex, multi-layered deals.
“No two deals in this business are ever alike,” Ms. Hargrove said. “That’s the challenge of the job and I’m proud to be a part of a team that consistently delivers outstanding results for our clients. It is an honor to represent my co-workers and myself at the Texas Law Awards.”
Earlier this year Ms. Hargrove was listed in the 2026 edition of Texas Super Lawyers’ Rising Stars legal guide, which recognizes up-and-coming lawyers in their first decade of practice. She also was named to the 2026 Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation legal guide.
