Marie has experience in both trial and appellate matters. In private practice, Marie handles or assists in all phases of litigation for a wide variety of clients involved in products liability, premises liability, personal injury, insurance defense, contract disputes, and commercial lawsuits. She has appeared and handled appeals before the Supreme Court of Texas and various Texas courts of appeals. Marie has taught Appellate Advocacy as an adjunct professor at Thurgood Marshall School of Law. In 2023, the Texas Bar Foundation honored Marie by naming her the recipient of its annual Lola Wright Foundation Award – an award recognizing “outstanding public service in advancing and enhancing legal ethics in Texas.” In 2024, Marie received the Lois Prestage Woods Legacy of Justice award from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. This award, named for the first Black female graduate of the law school, is awarded to an alumnus whose legal accomplishments have brought honor to the law school and the legal profession.
Prior to joining the firm, Marie was an attorney for the Fourteenth Court of Appeals. At the court of appeals, Marie evaluated civil and criminal appeals, made recommendations to the judges, and assisted the judges in drafting and editing judicial opinions in complex appeals, as well as original proceedings. Marie also assisted court committees in electronic document projects and providing training to the Texas appellate court on working in an electronic environment.
Experience
- Partner, Wright Close & Barger, LLP, 2018 – present
- Partner, Wright & Close, 2015 – 2017
- Associate, Wright & Close, 2010 – 2014
- Staff Attorney, Fourteenth Court of Appeals, 2008 – 2010
- Briefing Attorney, Fourteenth Court of Appeals, 2007 – 2008
- Associate, Melvin Houston & Associates, 2005 – 2007
- Intern, Federal Public Defender’s Office – Southern District of Texas, Summer 2004 and Spring 2005
Certifications
- Board Certified, Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Memberships
- State Bar of Texas
- Houston Bar Association
- HBA Law Week Committee, Co-Chair (2011-2012)
- HBA Judicial Polls Committee, Chair (2015-2016)
- Executive Committee Member, Garland R. Walker American Inn of Court
- Board of Trustees for the Texas Center for Legal Ethics
Publications
- “Tips and Strategies for Drafting and Objecting to the Jury Charge in Construction Cases,” For the Defense (February 2023).
- “Jury Charges in Construction Cases.” 2023 DRI Construction Law Seminar (Las Vegas, Nevada January 2023).
- “I’m An Example of Why Diversity Matters”, The Texas Lawbook (February 2021).