Practice Overview
Meg is recognized by Martindale-Hubbell as an AV Preeminent attorney. She has two decades of extensive litigation experience defending high-exposure cases arising from major commercial transportation accidents, including allegations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations violations. She is an experienced litigator with vast expertise spanning catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, transportation, product liability, premises liability and toxic tort claims. She has managed numerous multi-million dollar claims through successful resolution and/or trial. She works diligently to analyze case merits and potential exposure, minimize risk, involve necessary medical and technical experts, and propel positive resolutions to complex legal matters. Meg has proven success in state and federal court achieving case dismissals, no-fault judgements, advantageous settlements and favorable verdicts.
She has defended numerous cases involving recreational accidents arising from church camps, motor sports, amusement parks, boating and horse-related activities and she has substantial experience in equine, farm and ranch-related issues. She is also an adjunct professor of copyright and trademark law.
Notable results include a defense verdict in a wrongful death trucking accident trial in state court, summary judgment in a wrongful death trucking accident in federal court (against “target” defendants), resolution of a fatal product liability claim for excess insurance carrier and resolution of claims in the excess layers of insurance. Representative clients include “Top 100” national transportation companies, national and regional tool and equipment rental and sales companies, major entertainment venues, national retailers and product manufacturers.
Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
- Texas State Bar, 2003
- Oklahoma State Bar, 2022
Court Admissions
- United States District Court – Northern, Eastern, Southern, Western Districts of Texas
- United States Supreme Court
Education
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Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, Texas, J.D.
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Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, B.A.
- Woodward Academy, Atlanta, Georgia
Awards & Honors
- Martindale-Hubbell – AV Preeminent
- Texas SuperLawyer 2022, 2023
- Texas SuperLawyer Rising Star 2011-2013, 2015-2018
- World Champion – Senior Reining – Palomino Horse Breeders Association
- Reserve World Champion -Amateur Reining – Palomino Horse Breeders Association
- Champion – Fort Worth Stock Show – Reining
- Recording Industry Association of America – Certificate of Merit
- American Quarter Horse Association World Show Qualifier
- United States Pony Club “Academy of Achievement” Inductee
- Captain and Scholar Athlete – Auburn University Equestrian Team
- Miss Rodeo Georgia (Miss Rodeo America Organization)
- Miss Longview (Miss America Organization)
ENGAGEMENT (PROFESSIONAL SUCH AS ASSOCIATIONS, COMMITTEES)
- Member, Texas Bar Association
- Member, Dallas County Bar Association
- Member, American College of Equine Attorneys
- Member, “Moms In Law”: Dallas Bar Association
Engagement (COMMUNITY OR VOLUNTEER SERVICE)
- Board of Directors – Miss Keller (Miss America Organization)
- Selected as “Changemaker” serving at risk youth by Rodan + Fields
- United States Pony Club National Graduate “B”
- United States Pony Club National Examiner
- Former President – North Texas Eventing Association
- Former Board of Directors and Legal Advisor – Apache’s Angels Foundation
- 200 hour volunteer – Rocky Top Equine Therapy Program, Keller, Texas
- Volunteer – Legal Aid of Northwest Texas
- Volunteer – National Adoption Day
- Volunteer – 1999 Olympic Games (Atlanta)
Articles & Presentations
- Liability Issues Facing Texas Rural Landowners – presentation
- Basics of Equine Law – presentation
- Copyright and Intellectual Property Law for the Music Business Student – master class
- Music Publishing for the Music Business Student – master class
- Mitigating Direct Liability in Commercial Auto Litigation – presentation
- The Truth Behind the Texas Farm Animal Liability Act – Article
- Equine Liability Common Misconceptions – Article
- Guest Speaker – Emmett J. Vaughn Agribusiness Conference
Client Testimonials
- “Excellent Service! – Meg was in charge of defending our company in an injury lawsuit, she did a great job! very professional, handled the case extremely well. always answered her phone or called back quick and spent a good amount of time answering all of our questions and kept us in the loop of all the progress. Thanks Meg! highly recommended.”
- “Outstanding Attorney! – Working with Margaret “Meg” has truly been a wonderful experience. She is very knowledgeable, dedicated and efficient. She is also well-organized and productive. She is a good-natured person who will be a valuable asset to any client, company or law firm.”
- “I very highly recommend Ms. Margaret Johnson for your legal work – Ms. Johnson has provided various types of legal services to both myself and my wife for over seven years. Ms. Johnson is extremely trustworthy, is always available to discuss any questions or concerns we may have, and if she does not know the answer to our question, she knows where to do to obtain the correct answer for us. Ms. Johnson’s legal ethics, moral character, and ability to put you at ease throughout the legal process is one that is unmatched. Do not hesitate one second on whether or not to obtain the services of Ms. Johnson – just do it.”
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Commercial Auto: defense representation – “Ms. Johnson has been our lead contact @ the firm assigned to handle our defense litigation stemming from an accident between our tractor-trailer rig, and OV. While inappropriate to go into case specifics at this time, since our e-introduction following the case assignment by our insurance carrier, every aspect of dealing with Ms. Johnson has been nothing short of exceptional. 1) All calls have been either taken immediately, or returned much more promptly than previously accustomed with other counsel in other cases. 2) My questions and/or ‘rants’ have been clearly, professionally, and compassionately resolved, leaving me each time remarkably satisfied with her response or remedy. 3) Ms. Johnson’s knowledge and background of the industry, process, and strategy has been reassuring, and exceptionally encouraging. Ever since early-on in the litigation process, I have been confident that we have as good a firm defending our interest in this case as is available anywhere, and Ms. Johnson has been a huge factor toward that conviction.”
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From a colleague: “She is dedicated to her job. Her devotion to clients and the attention she gives clients is to be applauded. She enjoys the practice of law and is genuinely happy serving her clients. She works hard to achieve the best possible result she can in every case. She is trustworthy, diligent and always professional with opposing counsel.”
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From a colleague: “Meg is a first-rate defense attorney. Meg has excellent instincts and a lot of experience with defending personal injury cases. She gets the best results for her clients with efficiency and professionalism – she doesn’t waste time with frivolous motions or gamesmanship.”
- From a Senior Claims Analyst: “Thank you. I hope I never have to send defense counsel to an ambush like that again….. but if I have to, you are at the top of the list. You held up under an extreme amount of pressure from the very unfriendly West Texas group of adversaries. I hope the wounds are healing from the unfair shots they tried to take at you. At the end of the day, you waded through it all with your boots on (lol) although muddy, but with your armor and ethics intact….it won’t be the last fight for you and this will make for good stories for a long time to come. Your talents were unsurpassed. You are a commendable attorney and I know your firm is thankful to have you. Thank you again very much…praises to you and it was great working with you.”