Sabrina is a trial attorney and leader with over 25 years of experience handling complex commercial litigation, insurance defense, insurance coverage, healthcare, firearms, and personal injury matters. She has a national litigation practice with licenses in two states and litigation experience in five other states. She has tried cases to verdict (jury and arbitration) as first and second chair in two states. She takes time to get to know her client’s business to provide seasoned and reasoned advice to protect their interests and business needs. She is a trusted advisor for risk assessment, risk avoidance, and quick-thinking crisis management skills.

 Sabrina served as in-house managing attorney for a large insurance carrier and is well-versed in managing a client’s litigation docket to ensure consistency and uniformity. She is an excellent strategist and negotiator, driving optimal outcomes and resolutions. She is also well-versed in operational and compliance issues, policies and procedures, and institutional employment matters. She is adept at managing organizational litigation with counsel across multiple jurisdictions to develop protocols and litigation strategy.

 A dynamic speaker and presenter, Sabrina has published countless legal and firearms-related articles and serves on the planning committee for the TexasBarCLE’s annual firearms law seminar. She not only teaches fellow lawyers but also provides training to insurance adjusters and the public.

Notable Cases 

  • Defense verdict for North Texas hospital in complex medical malpractice case involving hospital radiology procedure.

  • Summary judgment for Central Texas hospital in brain injury case involving off-label use of medical product in interventional radiology procedure.

  • Summary judgment for Panhandle Hospital in premises liability matter.

  • Summary judgment for North Texas hospital on joint enterprise liability theory.

PRACTICE AREAS

  • Personal Injury / Wrongful Death
  • Premises Liability
  • Products Liability
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Professional and Healthcare Liability
  • General Civil Litigation
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Insurance Defense
  • Adjuster Continuing Education

ADMISSIONS

  • Texas, 1996
  • California 2007
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of California

EDUCATION

  • University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas, J.D., 1996
  • Baylor University, Waco, Texas, B.A., 1993 magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Planning Committee and Co-Course Coordinator (2025 and 2026), Annual Firearms Law: What Every Texas Attorney Needs to Know

PUBLICATIONS

  • Sabrina R. Karels, Tort Liability and Insurance Coverage for Firearms Injuries in ESSENTIALS OF TEXAS FIREARMS LAW (2020).
  • David E. Chamberlain and Sabrina R. Karels, Government Liability in TEXAS TORTS HANDBOOK (1998 & Supp. 1999).