Margaret Poissant

Neutral Information
Rates and Fees

Overview

Hon. Margaret “Meg” Poissant is a mediator and arbitrator who served on the Fourteenth Court of Appeals from 2019 to 2024. Elected on November 6, 2018, she brought more than three decades of legal experience to the bench. She is licensed to practice in all Texas courts, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and in New York state.

Prior to her judicial service, Meg spent over 30 years as a trial lawyer and lead counsel in cases across Texas. Her legal experience spans a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including civil appeals, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, complex business litigation, family law, administrative law, collections, employment law, and probate. She has represented clients on both sides of the docket, including those with damages in the seven figures, and has represented clients in state and federal courts as well as handling legal matters for Texas clients in New York.

With a strong belief that successful lawyers should always give back to the community, her legal work includes several pro bono matters for individuals and organizations who otherwise would have no legal representation. Meg served for several years as president of the Westwood Grove Civic Association, where she represented the neighborhood pro bono on a wide range of community issues. Her advocacy included appearances in TABC hearings, work on proposed city ordinance changes, and suggested amendments to the City of Houston’s Building Code and noise ordinance. She is an active member of Super Neighborhood 22 (SN22).

The daughter of a career trial attorney, Meg was inspired early on by her father’s lifelong commitment to justice. Today, she remains active in legal and community matters and enjoys curating art exhibitions, traveling internationally, visiting museums and galleries, volunteering with seniors, and animal rescue.

Admitted to Practice

Texas – All state and county courts and the United States District Court Southern District of Texas
New York, Third Appellate Division

Education

Professional Affiliations

Chair, Appellate Representation Committee, Child Protection Division, State Bar of Texas – 2022-2026
Committee member and co-chair, HBA Bench/Bar Committee and HBA Law & The Media Committee – 2022-2026
14th Court Liaison, Houston Bar Association Appellate Section – 2021-2022
Member, American Bar Association
Texas Bar College, Society of Legal Scholars – 2024-present
Member, National Association of Women Judges – 2019-present
Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation – 2019-present
Fellow, Houston Bar Association Foundation
Member, State Bar of Texas Appellate Section
Member, HBA Appellate Section
Member, Association of Women Attorneys
Attorney-Mediator Institute, Basic Mediator Training – Instructor: Donald F. Hawbaker
Member, The Association of Trial Lawyers of America – 1984-1986
Board member, Shine Studios Houston -organization supporting Latino high school girls’ education – 2012-2017
Member, State Bar of Texas
Member, Houston Bar Association
Member, Mexican American Bar Association
Member, Asian American Bar Association
Member, Houston Lawyer’s Association

Honors & Awards

Recognition, Texas House of Representatives, Rep. Ann Johnson – 2024
Recognition, Precinct 4, for service on the 14th Court of Appeals and contributions to the community – 2024
Art League of Houston’s Circle of Excellence Outstanding Presidential Leadership for service as President of the Board of Directors of Art League Houston – 2001-2002
Award from Humble Police Department in Grateful Appreciation for Legal Services to Humble Police Department – 1991

Representative Matters

Defended an attorney sued for 10 million dollars for malicious prosecution, defamation, and conversion brought by three plaintiffs. One-week trial; jury verdict in favor of defendant.
Obtained a five-million dollar verdict in a wrongful death case for widow and child in disputed liability case against the non-settling defendant.
Resolved seven-figure chemical exposure, wrongful death and premises liability cases.
Represented clients, owners of human and animal testing laboratories, in administrative hearings in an attempt by the state to shut down their laboratories, resulting in victory for the clients.
Tried property damage and slip-and-fall cases to verdict.
Represented client in business dispute sued by partner for 10 million dollars; three-day trial resulting in verdict for defendant/client.
Dismissal of client/anesthesiologist from a medical malpractice action.
Obtained a trial court summary judgment in a business dispute; co-counsel appealed, resulting in affirm of the trial court’s summary judgment.
Trial and appeal of a declaratory judgment action regarding family member exclusion in Texas automobile policies.
Tried family law case for Houston Volunteer Lawyers, advancing a unique theory of law, resulting in favorable decision for client.
Tried a complex division of business property in family law case.
Dissolved a trust in favor of client in probate case.
Co-counsel in capital murder case resulting in not guilty verdict.

Speaking Engagements

Ethical Issues: A View from the Appellate Bench
Presented to the Texas Association of Family Defense Attorneys (TAFDA)
June 13, 2025 – Galveston, TX
Basic Rules & Resources in a CPS Appeal
Co-presented at the Children’s Commission & Child Protection Law Section Joint Training
February 11, 2025 – Tyler, TX
Panel Discussion – HBA Appellate Section

Community Involvement

President, Art League Houston Board of Directors
President, Westwood Grove Civil Association
Contributor, Friends for Life and SPCA
Pro bono legal counsel for national 501(c)(3) foundation

Rates and Fees

Rates - Margaret Poissant

If you have questions regarding our rates and fees, please contact support@milesadr.com

MEDIATION RATES:

Flat Rates
Full-Day Mediation: $2,500.00 Per Party/ Per Day
Half-Day Mediation: $1,500.00 Per Party/ Per Day
Weekend Mediation: $3,000.00 Per Party/ Per Day
Multi-Day: Contact us for rate as fees vary depending upon such factors as number of parties, amount of pre-mediation preparation required, number of mediation days, complexity of the issues, travel requirements, etc.

Pre/Post Consultation & Document Review: Rates inclusive of prep work and follow-up.
Travel Rates: Rates inclusive of all travel time but not travel expenses. Travel expenses, including but not limited to flights, meals and lodging, billed separately and split equally among the parties.
Arbitration Rates: $8,000 per day for the hearing on the merits; $500 per hour for pre/post hearing matters

MEDIATION CANCELLATION POLICY

Mediations cancelled within 10 days of the mediation will be charged a cancellation fee of $1,000.
However, mediations cancelled, rescheduled or settled within 24 hours of the mediation will be charged half of the Neutral’s per day flat rate. Cancellation fees shall be sent to the cancelling party unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

ARBITRATION FEE PAYMENT POLICY

Arbitration Commencement and Administrative Fee is $1500.00 per party, per arbitrator. At the commencement of arbitration, each party will be invoiced $1500.00. This fee is refundable minus $500.00 per party until the initial case management order has been issued. All arbitration related invoices are due upon receipt.

ARBITRATION CANCELLATION POLICY

If a single-day Arbitration Hearing scheduled on the merits of the case cancels or reschedules within 15 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 4 hours of the Arbitrator’s hourly rate. However, if the single-day Arbitration Hearing cancels or reschedules within 2 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 8 hours of the Arbitrator’s hourly rate.

If a multi-day Arbitration Hearing scheduled on the merits of the case cancels or reschedules within 28 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 4 hours of the Arbitrator's hourly rate for each day reserved for the hearing. However, if the multi-day Arbitration Hearing cancels or reschedules within 7 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 8 hours of the Arbitrator's hourly rate for each day reserved for the hearing.

Issuance of the Final Arbitration Order/Award

Arbitration Awards/Orders will not be issued to either party until Miles has received full payment for all fees and expenses associated with the arbitration.