Mary Margaret Roark
Partner
Mary Margaret Roark is a high-stakes civil litigator and appellate advocate who represents both companies and individuals in complex disputes across federal and state courts nationwide. Known for her strategic judgment, courtroom presence, and crisp legal writing, she handles matters involving mass torts, rideshare sexual assault, fraud, energy, intellectual property, entertainment, and other business disputes. Mary Margaret has significant experience in every phase of complex litigation from managing large-scale discovery and briefing dispositive motions to first-chairing a trial and arguing appeals.
After graduating top of her class at the University of Mississippi School of Law, Mary Margaret clerked for the Honorable Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht of the Supreme Court of Texas for the 2017-2018 term. Before joining Nadler Nelson, Mary Margaret practiced at Baker Botts LLP for nearly ten years.
Outside the courtroom, Mary Margaret is deeply committed to public service. She serves on the Board of Directors for Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas and is on the Leadership Council for the Andy Roddick Foundation.
Mary Margaret Roark is a high-stakes civil litigator and appellate advocate who represents both companies and individuals in complex disputes across federal and state courts nationwide. Known for her strategic judgment, courtroom presence, and crisp legal writing, she handles matters involving mass torts, rideshare sexual assault, fraud, energy, intellectual property, entertainment, and other business disputes. Mary Margaret has significant experience in every phase of complex litigation from managing large-scale discovery and briefing dispositive motions to first-chairing a trial and arguing appeals.
After graduating top of her class at the University of Mississippi School of Law, Mary Margaret clerked for the Honorable Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht of the Supreme Court of Texas for the 2017-2018 term. Before joining Nadler Nelson, Mary Margaret practiced at Baker Botts LLP for nearly ten years.
Outside the courtroom, Mary Margaret is deeply committed to public service. She serves on the Board of Directors for Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas and is on the Leadership Council for the Andy Roddick Foundation.
Representative Matters
- Obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of a transportation network company in a case stemming from an alleged assault of a passenger.
- Represented a talent agency in an arbitration concerning the payment of royalties and commissions from numerous licensing agreements, resulting in a victory for the client on the merits and for attorneys’ fees.
- Represented an energy client in multiple consolidated actions in federal court regarding a storage tank fire and subsequent discharge along the Houston Ship Channel.
- Represented a corporate client in defending against claims by the DOJ and a whistleblower after the client acquired a company that marketed opioid products.
- Served as first-chair in a federal jury trial regarding a Section 1983 claim for excessive use of force.
- Represented an energy provider in litigation resulting from Winter Storm Uri.
- Presented appellate argument in the Fifth Circuit obtaining reversal of judgment depriving client of commercial property in a contract dispute.
- Presented appellate argument in the Fifth Circuit obtaining reversal of a dismissal of client’s suit on a procedural issue.
- Presented appellate argument in Texas court of appeals obtaining a favorable decision protecting an industry-licensing organization from a claim that it was an unlawful monopoly.
- Represented a landowner in the Third Court of Appeals of Texas securing reversal of the district court regarding a property law issue concerning mineral-classified lands.
- Obtained dismissal of client from a multi-district pharmaceutical litigation.
- Represented a former professional athlete in a proceeding before the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Education
J.D., University of Mississippi School of Law, 2016
Robert J. Farley Award Recipient for the Highest GPA in the Graduating Class
2016 Phi Delta Phi Outstanding Graduate
National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition Champion, 2015 & 2016
B.S., Mississippi State University, 2013
summa cum laude
Recognized as “One to Watch” by The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward White), 2024 & 2025
Professional Involvement
- Appellate Advocate for Mock Appellate Argument, Institute of Judicial Administration’s 63rd New Appellate Judges Seminar at NYU Law, July 2022
- Amicus Briefing Update, Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators Conference, July 2021
- Preservation of Error, State Bar of Texas Litigation Update Institute Course, January 2021
- Barrister, Robert W. Calvert Chapter, American Inns of Court
- Austin Bar Association and Austin Young Lawyers Association Leadership Academy Graduate, Class of 2025
- Travis County Women Lawyers’ Foundation, Fellow
- Travis County Women Lawyers’ Association, Member
- Austin Young Lawyers Association, Leadership Academy Committee Member
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Courts for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas
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© 2025 Nadler Nelson // Disclaimer
Design by Bibi Miller Creative