Margaret has a range of litigation experience focused on pharmaceutical, medical device, and employment litigation. She has served as a key member of numerous medical device trial teams, all of which resulted in defense verdicts. She has extensive experience working on all aspects of trial preparation and served on the deposition and motions teams for a mass tort pharmaceutical action. For over 15 years, Margaret has also dedicated a portion of her practice to employment law. In addition to counseling employers on workforce issues, she has a solid record of obtaining summary judgment for clients involved in employment litigation.
Overview
Margaret has a range of litigation experience focused on pharmaceutical, medical device, and employment litigation. She has served as a key member of numerous medical device trial teams, all of which resulted in defense verdicts. She has extensive experience working on all aspects of trial preparation and served on the deposition and motions teams for a mass tort pharmaceutical action. For over 15 years, Margaret has also dedicated a portion of her practice to employment law. In addition to counseling employers on workforce issues, she has a solid record of obtaining summary judgment for clients involved in employment litigation.
Practice Areas
About
Margaret is recognized for her experience by Best Lawyers in America®, Super Lawyers® (Mid-South Rising Stars), and the Birmingham Business Journal (NextGen Rising Star of Law). She has been appointed to serve as Deputy Attorney General to represent the State of Alabama in the defense of civil actions against state agencies.
In addition to practicing law, Margaret is passionate about giving back to the legal community. She is a Board Member of Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham and the Birmingham Bar Foundation. She is active in the American Bar Association, American Bar Foundation (Fellow), and Birmingham Bar Association (leadership positions include current Co-Chair of the Connections Committee, current member of the Scholarship Committee, Pro Bono Committee Chair – 2019, Future Leaders Forum Committee – 2016-2017, Membership Committee – 2008-2015, and Future Class of 2014). She has served on the Editorial Board of the Alabama Bar Association’s The Alabama Lawyer magazine for several years and frequently writes on litigation and employment-related topics for a variety of publications, including Butler Snow’s Workplace blog.
Margaret received her J.D. from Cumberland School of Law in 2007 and B.S. from Western Kentucky University in 2003. She is admitted to practice in Alabama.
Experience
- Provided on-site trial support to lead trial counsel in medical device product liability trials, including assisting with development of strategy, coordinating deposition designations of company and case specific witnesses, arguing objections to deposition designations and exhibits, preparing company and expert witnesses, and assisting with preparations of direct and cross examinations of fact and expert witnesses.
- Jarrett v. Ethicon, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, Case 4:20-CV-01517-BRW, U.S.D.C. (E.D. Ark.) (Five-day pelvic mesh trial that resulted in a defense verdict in October 2022). “J&J Ethicon Unit Prevails In 2 Pelvic Mesh Trials,” Law360, October 13, 2022
- Burris v. Ethicon, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson; Civil Action No. 3:20-cv-01450-JRK, U.S.D.C. (N.D. Ohio 2022) (Eight-day pelvic mesh trial that resulted in a defense verdict in July 2022) (Motion for new trial denied). “J&J, Ethicon Sink Failure-To-Warn Claim in Pelvic Mesh,” Law360, July 22, 2022; “Ethicon, J&J Beat Back Attempt At New Pelvic Mesh Trial,” Law360, November 1, 2022.
- Shears Ethicon, Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-00264, U.S.D.C. (N.D. W.Va. 2022) (Eight-day pelvic mesh trial that resulted in a defense verdict in March 2022).
- Snac Lite, LLC d/b/a Naturally More v. nuts ‘n more, LLC, Case No. 2:14-cv-01695-RDP (N.D. Ala. 2016) (Summary judgment for a nut butter manufacturer in a Lanham Act case).
- J. Foster v. Target Stores, Inc., Case No. 7:14-cv-01741-AKK (N.D. Ala. 2016) (Summary judgment for a major retailer in a premises liability case alleging negligence and wantonness).
- Y. Tyus v. West Fraser, Case No. 14-cv-2012-000030 (Chilton County, Alabama 2015)(Summary judgment for a forestry company in a workers’ compensation retaliatory discharge case).
- K. Mowery v. Target Stores, Inc., Case No. 43-cv-2014.900088 (Lee County, Alabama 2015) (Summary judgment for a major retailer in a case alleging outrage).
- D. Cummings v. Target Stores, Inc., Case No. 2:12-cv-2798-JHH (N.D. Ala. 2014) (Summary judgment for a major retailer in a premises liability case alleging negligence and wantonness).
- T. Pennington v. Walmart Stores East, LP, Case No. 7:12-cv-860-SLB (N.D. Ala. 2014) (Summary judgment for employer in a case alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act).
- T. Williamson v. Wal-Mart Associates, Case No. 1:11-cv-01405-WMA (N.D. Ala. 2013) (Summary judgment for employer in a Section 1981 and breach of contract case).
- Successfully litigated enforcement of a non-competition agreement in state court.
- Represented employers in governmental investigations and/or audits by the USDOL and OSHA.
- Favorably litigated and mediated numerous employment actions in federal and state courts, and before the EEOC and other administrative agencies.
- Regularly counsels clients on employment law compliance, non-competition agreements, and other employment contracts.
- Significant experience drafting non-competition agreements, employment contracts, policies, and compensation practices for employers.
Distinctions
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025
- Super Lawyers®
- Mid-South Rising Stars, Business Litigation, 2016-2017
- Birmingham Business Journal
- NextGen Rising Star of Law
- Future Leadership Forum, Birmingham Bar Association, Class of 2014
- Appointed to serve as a Deputy Attorney General to represent the State of Alabama in the defense of civil actions against state agencies.
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Fellow, Birmingham Bar Foundation
Bar Admissions
- Alabama, 2007
- U.S. District Courts
- Alabama: Northern, Middle, Southern
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- 11th Circuit
Education
- Cumberland School of Law, J.D., 2007
- Trial Advocacy Board Executive Member
- Judge Abraham Caruthers Teaching Fellow
- National Mock Trial Team Member, 2005-2006
- Winner, Albert P. Brewer Client Counseling Competition
- Western Kentucky University, B.S., 2003
Associations
- American Bar Association
- Alabama Bar Association
- Editorial Board, The Alabama Lawyer, 2016-2022
- Birmingham Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Connection Committee
- Scholarship Committee
- Chair, Pro Bono Committee
- Future Leaders Forum Committee, 2016
- Membership Committee, 2008-2015
- Birmingham Bar Foundation
- Board Member, 2022
- Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham
- Board Member, 2019-Present
- Pro Hops Vino Committee
Papers, Presentations & Publications
- Alabama Editor, “Employment at Will,” Bloomberg BNA
- Author, “Top COVID-19 Issues Business Clients Ask Attorneys,” Business Alabama, March 2020.
- Author, “Ending was Epic: SCOTUS upholds employee class action waivers.” BLR Tennessee Employment Law Letter, June 2018
- Author, "6th Circuit Resurrects Nurse's Claims Despite Patient Complaints." BLR Tennessee Employment Law Letter, February 2017.
- Author, “TN Court Appeals Upholds Dismissal of Interference with Employment claim.” BLR Tennessee Employment Law Letter, May 2016.