Margo Ross Pillischer

Employment Attorney

The day I arrived in New Orleans for my freshman year of college, I had to evacuate because of Hurricane Katrina.

I had carefully planned and prepared and worked hard to get there, and as a very young adult, at the time it felt like the worst thing that could ever happen. Now I appreciate that it was a valuable life lesson, one that has given me an understanding and empathy as a lawyer that I may not have otherwise gained.

"Ross and Scalise Law Group helped me when I was in such a difficult place in my life and career.

I cannot thank them enough for all their hard work in making sure my case was handled with seriousness and professionalism. I highly respect and recommend the firm to anyone in need of legal assistance.

Margo Ross Pillischer

The day I arrived in New Orleans for my freshman year of college, I had to evacuate because of Hurricane Katrina. I had carefully planned and prepared and worked hard to get there, and as a very young adult, at the time it felt like the worst thing that could ever happen. Now I appreciate that it was a valuable life lesson, one that has given me an understanding and empathy as a lawyer that I may not have otherwise gained.

None of the people whose cases I helped investigate as a student attorney for The Innocence Project while I was in law school planned to be imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. None of the people I defended as a Public Defender in my first job as an attorney had a goal of being prosecuted in the criminal justice system. No one I have represented as a trial lawyer in personal injury cases planned to be injured in car wrecks or other accidents. People who go to work to do a good job and shape a career don’t plan to be harassed or discriminated against and then fired for reporting it. These are the people I work to help.

I went back to New Orleans to finish college, and during my undergrad years I also served as a White House Intern and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tulane and then moved back to Madrid where I worked as a teacher. After that, I went to New York City to attend law school, where I met my husband.

In 2020, we decided to relocate to Austin to raise our family. In another twist of fate, the COVID-19 pandemic struck New York just weeks ahead of our planned move date, and we had to make a sudden move to avoid potential disaster. We’re here now, healthy and happy, and it’s great to be back in Austin where I grew up.

The bottom line is, I’ve learned that life is uncertain and even though I am a planner by nature, I have learned to roll with the punches. I think it makes me a better lawyer and advocate for my clients.

Education:

Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York, NY, Doctor of Jurisprudence, 2014
Activities and Honors
- Unemployment Action Center Student Advocate
- The Innocence Project Student Attorney
- Criminal Law Society Board Member
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, B.A. Spanish and Political Science, 2009
Activities and Honors
- Graduated Magna Cum Laude
- Top Graduate, Honors Program, Department of Spanish 2009

Bar Admissions:

State Bar of Texas, 2020
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
State Bar of New York, 2015
State Bar of New Jersey, 2014

Organizations, Honors and Public Service:

Austin Bar Association
Austin Young Lawyers Association
New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association

Languages:

English and Spanish