About
Marianne’s practice focuses on civil litigation in state and federal courts, with a particular emphasis on constitutional, real property, and fiduciary issues. Before joining the firm, Marianne clerked for a federal judge in the Southern District of Texas. Prior to law school, Marianne worked as a high school English teacher with Teach For America, and this background has shaped the way she practices law. She excels at breaking down complex ideas and communicating those issues to courts and clients with clarity.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Admitted: Texas, 2015; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2016; U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2018; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2018.
- Education: The University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2015); Order of the Coif; Book Review Editor, Texas Law Review (2014-2015); Teaching Quizmaster; The University of Texas at Austin (B.B.A. with Honors in Finance & Business Honors program, 2010).
- Law Clerk to The Honorable Marina Garcia Marmolejo, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas (2015-2016).
- Associate, Baker Botts, Houston, Texas (2016-2017).
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Representation of claimants in administrative proceedings regarding retirement benefits;
- Representation of mineral owners in trespass to try title and declaratory judgment actions;
- Representation of executor in fiduciary litigation;
- Defense of Austin-based companies against trademark infringement claims;
- Representation of owners and general contractors in disputes involving construction delays, project scope, and construction defects;
- Representation of municipalities in First Amendment and constitutional litigation;
- Pro bono representation in various matters, including expunction, eviction, and divorce proceedings, referred through GDHM’s on-going partnership with Volunteer Legal Services;
- Briefed and argued pro bono civil rights case before Fifth Circuit;
- Assistance in representation of broad spectrum of the firm’s clients.
PUBLICATIONS
- Fraud on the Classroom: Why State False Claims Acts Are Not the Solution to All Fraud on State and Local Governments, 93 Tex. L. Rev. 1009 (2015).
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- State Bar of Texas
- Travis County Women Lawyers Association
- Austin Young Lawyers Association
- Barbara Jordan Inn of Court
COMMUNITY
- Meals on Wheels Central Texas, Volunteer
- Texas Exes Forty Acres Society, Member
- Teach For America, Recruitment Volunteer
- Women United, United Way for Greater Austin, Member