Yesenia E. Cárdenas
Partner
Suite 1000
Plano, TX 75024
Yesenia Cardenas is a partner and accomplished civil litigator and trial attorney with over two decades of experience defending clients in complex, high-exposure product liability litigation in state and federal courts across the United States. Her practice is firmly rooted in the automotive industry, where she has represented domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers in technically...
Yesenia Cardenas is a partner and accomplished civil litigator and trial attorney with over two decades of experience defending clients in complex, high-exposure product liability litigation in state and federal courts across the United States. Her practice is firmly rooted in the automotive industry, where she has represented domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers in technically demanding matters involving advanced vehicle systems, evolving technologies, and sophisticated engineering issues.
Throughout her practice, Yesenia has served as a lead strategist and courtroom advocate in matters where jury perception, evidentiary framing, and witness credibility are central to the outcome. Her litigation approach reflects a disciplined command of both the facts and governing law, positioning cases for resolution at trial or on appeal when necessary.
Driven by the dynamic and rapidly changing nature of the automotive sector, Yesenia’s practice also encompasses international and cross-border advisory work. She works with automotive and technology companies to navigate litigation exposure arising from claims filed in Latin America and Europe, advising on coordinated defense and litigation strategies, regulatory considerations, and expert retention. Her fluency in Spanish enhances her ability to work seamlessly with international partners, clients, and legal tribunals, making her a trusted advocate in matters with global reach.
In parallel to her litigation practice, Yesenia is involved in work focused on the careful development of the legal standards governing complex civil cases. She contributes to thought leadership and policy-oriented work focused on improving procedural fairness, clarity, and predictability in high-stakes cases. Her experience also includes contributing to the refinement of jury instructions in civil cases—work that informs her trial preparation and reinforces a disciplined approach to presenting cases consistent with the law that juries are asked to apply.
demanding matters involving advanced vehicle systems, evolving technologies, and sophisticated engineering issues.
Throughout her practice, Yesenia has served as a lead strategist and courtroom advocate in matters where jury perception, evidentiary framing, and witness credibility are central to the outcome. Her litigation approach reflects a disciplined command of both the facts and governing law, positioning cases for resolution at trial or on appeal when necessary.
Driven by the dynamic and rapidly changing nature of the automotive sector, Yesenia’s practice also encompasses international and cross-border advisory work. She works with automotive and technology companies to navigate litigation exposure arising from claims filed in Latin America and Europe, advising on coordinated defense and litigation strategies, regulatory considerations, and expert retention. Her fluency in Spanish enhances her ability to work seamlessly with international partners, clients, and legal tribunals, making her a trusted advocate in matters with global reach.
In parallel to her litigation practice, Yesenia is involved in work focused on the careful development of the legal standards governing complex civil cases. She contributes to thought leadership and policy-oriented work focused on improving procedural fairness, clarity, and predictability in high-stakes cases. Her experience also includes contributing to the refinement of jury instructions in civil cases—work that informs her trial preparation and reinforces a disciplined approach to presenting cases consistent with the law that juries are asked to apply.
Experience
Representative Experience
- Defense verdicts on behalf of Japanese vehicle manufacturers in product liability actions in Texas state courts (Dallas, Hidalgo, and Val Verde counties);
- Defense verdict on behalf of Japanese vehicle manufacturer in civil action before civil circuit court in the Republic of Panama;
- Successful appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit involving defense of favorable trial court ruling striking plaintiff’s liability experts for discovery sanctions and dismissal of entire action;
- Successful dismissal of appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit due to lack of appellate jurisdiction;
- Successful dismissal of Oklahoma state court action for Japanese manufacturer based on novel application of statute of limitations;
- Successful defense of sanctions motion in Texas state court for Japanese vehicle manufacture wherein plaintiff alleged discovery violations and sought attorney’s fees.
- Successful motion to quash of a non-party subpoena directed at a Chinese corporation but served on an employee of a U.S.-based subsidiary;
- Successful motion for protective order against the production of a Japanese corporation’s confidential and proprietary engineering documents through U.S. subsidiary;
- Successful motion for protective order against the inclusion of dissimilar products in the scope of discovery;
- Successful defense against overbroad subpoena duces tecum concerning alleged similar incident documentation;
- Successful defense of motion to disqualify counsel of record where plaintiff claimed counsel of record was a material fact witness in the case;
- Successful motion to strike of plaintiff's main liability expert who had conducted extensive testing and analysis of exemplar vehicles and alternative designs prior to the close of discovery but not disclosed until after expert deadline;
- Successful defense against the application of 'Law of the Case' Doctrine where plaintiff sought application of appellate court rulings not addressed in a subsequent appeal of the previous plaintiff’s verdict to the Texas Supreme Court;
- Successful summary judgment motion based on Texas statute of repose; and
- Successful dismissal of state court action (with award of attorney’s fees) based on opposing party’s discovery violations.
Education
-
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law,
JD,
cum laude
(2005)
- SMU Board of Advocates
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
- Hispanic Law Students Association
- National Champion, Hispanic National Bar Association Moot Court Competition
- Southern Methodist University, BBA, Finance
- Southern Methodist University, BA, Foreign Languages
Admissions
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Industries
Representative Experience
- Defense verdicts on behalf of Japanese vehicle manufacturers in product liability actions in Texas state courts (Dallas, Hidalgo, and Val Verde counties);
- Defense verdict on behalf of Japanese vehicle manufacturer in civil action before civil circuit court in the Republic of Panama;
- Successful appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit involving defense of favorable trial court ruling striking plaintiff’s liability experts for discovery sanctions and dismissal of entire action;
- Successful dismissal of appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit due to lack of appellate jurisdiction;
- Successful dismissal of Oklahoma state court action for Japanese manufacturer based on novel application of statute of limitations;
- Successful defense of sanctions motion in Texas state court for Japanese vehicle manufacture wherein plaintiff alleged discovery violations and sought attorney’s fees.
- Successful motion to quash of a non-party subpoena directed at a Chinese corporation but served on an employee of a U.S.-based subsidiary;
- Successful motion for protective order against the production of a Japanese corporation’s confidential and proprietary engineering documents through U.S. subsidiary;
- Successful motion for protective order against the inclusion of dissimilar products in the scope of discovery;
- Successful defense against overbroad subpoena duces tecum concerning alleged similar incident documentation;
- Successful defense of motion to disqualify counsel of record where plaintiff claimed counsel of record was a material fact witness in the case;
- Successful motion to strike of plaintiff's main liability expert who had conducted extensive testing and analysis of exemplar vehicles and alternative designs prior to the close of discovery but not disclosed until after expert deadline;
- Successful defense against the application of 'Law of the Case' Doctrine where plaintiff sought application of appellate court rulings not addressed in a subsequent appeal of the previous plaintiff’s verdict to the Texas Supreme Court;
- Successful summary judgment motion based on Texas statute of repose; and
- Successful dismissal of state court action (with award of attorney’s fees) based on opposing party’s discovery violations.
Media
Recognitions
- Dallas Business Journal, Women in Business Honoree
- Texas Diversity Council, Dallas Top 50 Women Lawyers Award
- Latino Leaders Magazine
- Top Latino Lawyers List
- Most Powerful Women in Law
Professional Activities
- Fellow, Lawyers for Civil Justice (2024-current)
- State Bar of Texas, Pattern Jury Charges - Malpractice, Premises, and Products Committee (2022-2028)
- Dallas Bar Association, Equality Committee (2022)
- National Hispanic Bar Association (2005-present)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow (2018)
- Dallas Hispanic Bar Association
- Vice President (2012–2014)
- Secretary (2011)
- Board of Directors (2010–2011)
- Texas Mexican American Bar Association, Board of Directors (2010)
- SMU Dedman School of Law, Moot Court Team for Hispanic National Bar Association Court Competition, Co-Coach (2008– 2011)
Yesenia Cardenas is a partner and accomplished civil litigator and trial attorney with over two decades of experience defending clients in complex, high-exposure product liability litigation in state and federal courts across the United States. Her practice is firmly rooted in the automotive industry, where she has represented domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers in technically... demanding matters involving advanced vehicle systems, evolving technologies, and sophisticated engineering issues.
Throughout her practice, Yesenia has served as a lead strategist and courtroom advocate in matters where jury perception, evidentiary framing, and witness credibility are central to the outcome. Her litigation approach reflects a disciplined command of both the facts and governing law, positioning cases for resolution at trial or on appeal when necessary.
Driven by the dynamic and rapidly changing nature of the automotive sector, Yesenia’s practice also encompasses international and cross-border advisory work. She works with automotive and technology companies to navigate litigation exposure arising from claims filed in Latin America and Europe, advising on coordinated defense and litigation strategies, regulatory considerations, and expert retention. Her fluency in Spanish enhances her ability to work seamlessly with international partners, clients, and legal tribunals, making her a trusted advocate in matters with global reach.
In parallel to her litigation practice, Yesenia is involved in work focused on the careful development of the legal standards governing complex civil cases. She contributes to thought leadership and policy-oriented work focused on improving procedural fairness, clarity, and predictability in high-stakes cases. Her experience also includes contributing to the refinement of jury instructions in civil cases—work that informs her trial preparation and reinforces a disciplined approach to presenting cases consistent with the law that juries are asked to apply.
Experience
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.Representative Experience
- Defense verdicts on behalf of Japanese vehicle manufacturers in product liability actions in Texas state courts (Dallas, Hidalgo, and Val Verde counties);
- Defense verdict on behalf of Japanese vehicle manufacturer in civil action before civil circuit court in the Republic of Panama;
- Successful appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit involving defense of favorable trial court ruling striking plaintiff’s liability experts for discovery sanctions and dismissal of entire action;
- Successful dismissal of appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit due to lack of appellate jurisdiction;
- Successful dismissal of Oklahoma state court action for Japanese manufacturer based on novel application of statute of limitations;
- Successful defense of sanctions motion in Texas state court for Japanese vehicle manufacture wherein plaintiff alleged discovery violations and sought attorney’s fees.
- Successful motion to quash of a non-party subpoena directed at a Chinese corporation but served on an employee of a U.S.-based subsidiary;
- Successful motion for protective order against the production of a Japanese corporation’s confidential and proprietary engineering documents through U.S. subsidiary;
- Successful motion for protective order against the inclusion of dissimilar products in the scope of discovery;
- Successful defense against overbroad subpoena duces tecum concerning alleged similar incident documentation;
- Successful defense of motion to disqualify counsel of record where plaintiff claimed counsel of record was a material fact witness in the case;
- Successful motion to strike of plaintiff's main liability expert who had conducted extensive testing and analysis of exemplar vehicles and alternative designs prior to the close of discovery but not disclosed until after expert deadline;
- Successful defense against the application of 'Law of the Case' Doctrine where plaintiff sought application of appellate court rulings not addressed in a subsequent appeal of the previous plaintiff’s verdict to the Texas Supreme Court;
- Successful summary judgment motion based on Texas statute of repose; and
- Successful dismissal of state court action (with award of attorney’s fees) based on opposing party’s discovery violations.
Education
-
Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law,
JD,
cum laude
(2005)
- SMU Board of Advocates
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
- Hispanic Law Students Association
- National Champion, Hispanic National Bar Association Moot Court Competition
- Southern Methodist University, BBA, Finance
- Southern Methodist University, BA, Foreign Languages
Admissions
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Industries
- Dallas Business Journal, Women in Business Honoree
- Texas Diversity Council, Dallas Top 50 Women Lawyers Award
- Latino Leaders Magazine
- Top Latino Lawyers List
- Most Powerful Women in Law
- Fellow, Lawyers for Civil Justice (2024-current)
- State Bar of Texas, Pattern Jury Charges - Malpractice, Premises, and Products Committee (2022-2028)
- Dallas Bar Association, Equality Committee (2022)
- National Hispanic Bar Association (2005-present)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow (2018)
- Dallas Hispanic Bar Association
- Vice President (2012–2014)
- Secretary (2011)
- Board of Directors (2010–2011)
- Texas Mexican American Bar Association, Board of Directors (2010)
- SMU Dedman School of Law, Moot Court Team for Hispanic National Bar Association Court Competition, Co-Coach (2008– 2011)
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