Meagan Martin Powers is an experienced litigator representing businesses and individuals in commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters. Meagan has litigated a variety of disputes in state, federal and bankruptcy courts throughout the country, including those involving investment fraud, breach of contract, partnership disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, enforcement of non-compete agreements, theft of trade secrets, lender liability, preference and fraudulent transfers and other bankruptcy-related matters.

Meagan also has extensive experience as a small business advisor and serves clients throughout North Texas in an external general counsel capacity.

Before attending Harvard Law School, Meagan contemplated a career in public accounting. She holds two degrees in accounting and passed the CPA exam on her first attempt. With her background, Meagan has a particular interest in cases involving fraudulent transfers, forensic accounting issues, and financial-based fraud claims.

Meagan is a member of the Junior League of Dallas, the Dallas Bar Association, the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, Attorneys Serving the Community and past president of the Harvard Law School Texas Club. Since 2019, Meagan has been annually named one of D Magazine’s Best Lawyers in Dallas.

Representative Matters

Commercial Litigation:

• Represented Chapter 7 Trustee as Special Litigation Counsel obtaining arbitration award for $18.3 million for negligent misrepresentation involving sale of a medical device company
• Represent global hotel management company in multiple lawsuits against affiliated hotel property operators regarding breach of contract and COVID-19 related claims
• Represent employers in defending and challenging restrictive covenants (non-compete / non-solicit contract clauses) and protection of trade secrets
• Represented Qui Tam Relator in obtaining $11.5 million settlement in a False Claims Act case involving kickbacks claims against one of the largest global medical device manufacturers after the United States declined to intervene in the case
• Multiple representations of professional sports team in breach of lease and license agreement litigation
• Represented defrauded investors in receivership action
• Multiple representations of unsecured creditors in breach of contract collection actions, including obtaining pre-judgment writ of garnishment and attachment of assets
• Multiple representations of Fortune 50 Company in consumer disputes, including defense of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Texas Debt Collection Act, and Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act claims
• Represented multinational company in obtaining dismissal of breach of contract and fraud action on forum non convenienes grounds
• Represented board of directors of Fortune 500 Company in proposed class action lawsuit alleging breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and violations of federal securities laws
• Represented company and newly-hired employees in defending against covenant not to compete and alleged trade secret misappropriation claims filed in multiple federal courts

Creditors’ Rights/Bankruptcy:

• Represented ousted partner in Chapter 11 proceedings and related litigation
• Multiple representations of unsecured creditor defendants in preference and fraudulent transfer litigation
• Represented private equity firm as party-in-interest in contested Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings
• Represented 26 oil and gas industry debtors in all aspects of complex Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings, including complex adversary proceedings against more than 60 counterparties alleging statutory lien and trust claims
• Represented secured lenders in all aspects of single asset real estate bankruptcy proceedings
• Represented small business debtors in all aspects of Chapters 7 and 11 proceedings and related adversary actions
• Represented LNG industry debtor in Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings

General Counsel/Small Business Advisory:

• Represent national distributor for the craft brewing industry in external general counsel role, including management of all non-performing contracts
• Represent food industry manufacturer in external general counsel role, including all aspects of litigation management, contract review, and compliance obligations
• Represent technology consulting firm in external general counsel role, including management of litigation, contract review, and employment matters
• Represent oil & gas ancillary products company in external general counsel role, including management of all non-performing contracts

Experience

• Heygood Orr & Pearson, Irving, Texas – Partner
• Hamilton Wingo LLP (formerly Standly & Hamilton LLP), Dallas, Texas – Partner
• Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP, Dallas, Texas – Associate

Memberships, Community Involvement & Recognition

• D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas for Business Litigation, 2019, 2020, 2021
• Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters), Business Litigation, 2013-2019
• Super Lawyers Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters), Bankruptcy and Creditor’s Rights, 2012
• DBA Women Empowered to Lead (2018 Inaugural Class)
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer-Review Rated
• Junior League of Dallas (2009-present)
• Interfaith Housing Coalition, Junior League Project Chair and Volunteer
• Dallas Bar Association
• Dallas Women Lawyers Association
• Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
• Attorneys Serving the Community
• DAYL Leadership Class (2009-2010)