Margaret Layrisson Photo

Margaret L. Layrisson

Partner
  • Profile
  • Credentials
  • Representative Experience
  • Practice Areas
  • Location Information

Maggie counsels clients in a broad range of civil matters. While her focus is primarily based on medical malpractice litigation, she also has vast experience litigating premises liability lawsuits, insurance coverage issues, automobile collision lawsuits, labor and employment matters, and general commercial disputes. She has litigated cases in Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, and New Mexico.

Maggie received her Louisiana bar license in 2008 and then obtained her Texas license in 2009. After working in Louisiana and Texas with a regional defense firm, Maggie joined Serpe Andrews in March 2011. In 2021, Maggie obtained her certification to mediate.

Some of Maggie’s achievements include both appellate and trial victories. In OakBend Medical Center v. Domingo Martinez, Jr., 515 S.W.3d 536 (Houston App. [14th Dist.] 2017), she successfully appealed a trial court’s ruling denying summary judgment based on governmental immunity. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals held OakBend Medical Center was immune from suit for all claims arising from the escape of a psychiatric patient. The Fourteenth Court of appeals reversed the trial court’s order and rendered judgment dismissing the lawsuit for lack of jurisdiction for the claims asserted. Most recently, in 2021, Maggie first chaired a premises liability bench trial in which a defense verdict was obtained on behalf of The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. Terry Hopkins v. CHCA Woman’s Hospital, L.P. d/b/a The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, Cause No. 2017-39068, in the 215th Judicial District Court of Harris County.

When not working, Maggie enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband, Louie, and three boys.

Educational Background

  • J.D., 2008, Loyola University College of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana, cum laude
    • Recipient, Highest-Grade Awards in Law & Medicine, Business Organizations I, Family Law and Bioethics, and Sales and Leases
    • J. Sanford Levy Best Appellate Brief Finalist
    • Ralph H. Fishman Award
  • B.A. in Information Systems and Decision Sciences, 2005, Louisiana State University, cum laude

Admissions

  • Louisiana (2008)
  • Texas (2009)

Honors

  • 2018 Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer in Health Care
  • 2017 Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer in Health Care
  • OakBend Medical Center v. Domingo Martinez, Jr., 515 S.W.3d 536 (Houston App. [14th Dist.] 2017). Successfully appealed a trial court’s ruling denying summary judgment based on governmental immunity. The Fourteenth Court of Appeals held OakBend Medical Center was immune from suit for all claims arising from the escape of a psychiatric patient. The Fourteenth Court of appeals reversed the trial court’s order and rendered judgment dismissing the lawsuit for lack of jurisdiction for the claims asserted.
  • Terry Hopkins v. CHCA Woman’s Hospital, L.P. d/b/a The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, Cause No. 2017-39068, in the 215th Judicial District Court of Harris County. Mrs. Layrisson, first chair, along with Adam Pollock, obtained a defense verdict on behalf of The Woman’s Hospital of Texas following a 3-day bench trial. The plaintiff claimed The Woman’s Hospital of Texas created an unreasonable condition by mopping the floor and failed to properly warn her of the condition, which ultimately caused her to fall. As a result, the plaintiff claims she suffered soft tissue injuries as well as injuries to her cervical spine, which required surgery. Plaintiff sought six-figure damages at trial. Judge Elain Palmer, however, agreed with the position The Woman’s Hospital of Texas. The housekeeper properly warned the plaintiff, the wet floor sign was properly placed, and the act of mopping is not an unreasonable risk of harm. Moreover, as demonstrated by Mrs. Layrisson and Mr. Pollock, the plaintiff suffered a longstanding and pre-existing cervical spine injury. Most notably, the treating surgeon testified at trial that the surgery he performed after the fall was not related to the fall at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas.
Practice Areas
Locations