Juvie Cruz Cardenas is an experienced, efficient, and proactive attorney and legal strategist with over 15 years of civil litigation experience in Texas state and federal courts. She is Senior Trial Counsel at the firm’s Houston office and has represented a wide array of clients including, but not limited to, government entities; Fortune 5, 100 and 500 companies; small businesses; professionals; and individuals. She understands that evaluating a case early and identifying a client’s goals are integral to preparing a cost-effective and case-specific strategy. She believes that the keystones to effective and efficient case management are maintaining an astute knowledge of the facts and law; working closely and communicating timely with the client; and being prepared. As a result, Juvie has frequently achieved optimal outcomes for her clients.
Juvie’s practice areas include, but are not limited to the following:Commercial litigation;
• Personal injury;
• Third and first-party insurance defense;
• Construction law;
• Real estate and finance;
• Wind/hail property damage (residential and commercial);
• Medical malpractice and healthcare law;
• Family law; and
• General civil litigation matters.
She also serves as a Guardian Ad Litem for several County and District Courts in Harris County, Texas.
Outside of practicing law and spending time with her family, Juvie enjoys volunteering for non-profit organizations that empower youth, women, and those living in poverty. During her two-year tenure as President of the Filipino Young Professionals of Houston (“FYP”), the organization award several academic scholarships to local and international students, provided natural disaster relief, and built homes for families living in poverty in the Philippines. FYP received approval of its 501(c)3 non-profit status and was recognized on numerous occasions by the U.S. Congress and the Texas Senate during her administration. She served as the Regional Governor of the Southwest Region for the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (2021 - 2024) and is an active member of the Texas Filipino America Bar. She also sat on the Steering Committee for the State Bar of Texas’ Texas Minority Counsel Program (2021, 2022, and 2023).
She has also volunteered at and/or fundraised for the BP MS-150, Houston Food Bank, the Texas Children’s Hospital, the Houston Area Women’s Center, DePelchin Children’s Center, SEARCH Homeless Services, and other organizations.
Juvie is fluent in conversational Tagalog (a Filipino dialect).
Professional Background
•Joined Germer as Senior Trial Counsel in 2022.
Professional Certifications
•Certified Mediator
Recognitions and Honors
•Federation of Insurance Women of Texas, Inc.’s Community Service Award (Nominee, 2020)
•The Leader’s Top 30 Under 40 Leaders (Recipient, 2017)
•St. Mary’s University School of Law 10 Under 10 Exceptional Alumni (Recipient, 2017)
•Woodrow Seals Outstanding Young Lawyer of Houston Award (Nominee, 2011)
•Pro Bono Achievement Award (Recipient, 2007)
•St. Mary’s Marianist Leader in the Community Award (Recipient, 2007)
•Student Bar Association’s 3L of the Year Award (Recipient, 2007)
•(Retired) Chief Justice Alma Lopez Women’s Leadership Award (Nominee, 2007)
•Dean Leadership Award (Recipient, 2006)
