The Simpson Tuegel Law Firm is a passionate group of victims’ rights attorneys and advocates that focuses in cases of sexual abuse, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death.

Since the firm’s founding, we have made it our mission to obtain groundbreaking results for the people who entrust us to seek justice on their behalf. A former world-ranked athlete in slalom water skiing, attorney Michelle Simpson Tuegel uses her naturally competitive drive to champion clients’ cases and to relate to athletes, students, and injured people from all walks of life.

Victims of serious personal injury, sexual assault and sexual abuse, as well as those left behind after the tragic death of a loved one, are often left in extremely vulnerable circumstances, and we know how important it is to get answers and justice for the suffering they have endured. Our team recognizes that regardless of the circumstance, victims and survivors need advocates they can be candid with and trust completely.

Through extensive conversations, our legal team is able to pinpoint what rights of yours have been violated, how to develop your case, and what the best course of action is to hold those responsible accountable. We will ensure that you understand every aspect of your legal battle and we will openly communicate with you through every step. We strive to resolve matters in your case through negotiations or in the courtroom, while also using our expertise to strategically navigate the media landscape in high-profile matters. No matter the situation, you and your needs are our priority.

In every aspect of our work, we believe in standing up for those who have been wronged, and that often includes being fierce advocates for women’s rights and the rights of those who have been discriminated against or victimized. We have worked on sexual assault and abuse cases since before the long-overdue reckoning of #MeToo, represented athletes in litigation related to sexual assault in sports from gymnastics to jiu-jitsu, and held institutions at the highest levels accountable for enabling the abuse of women and girls.

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Michelle Simpson Tuegel

Michelle Simpson Tuegel founded The Simpson Tuegel Law Firm with the goal of doing work about which she is most passionate: helping people in their fight for justice. Through her powerful courtroom expertise and dedicated compassion for her clients, Michelle Simpson Tuegel is a fierce advocate for the people she represents. Her expertise in cases of sexual abuse, severe injury, and wrongful death, and her deep experience on both sides of the law make her a highly skilled and well-rounded attorney.

Michelle began her career as a victims’ rights attorney by doing Title IX work. In working with students affected by sexual assault on college and university campuses, she realized her passion for building relationships with her clients. Their stories and the trust they placed in her fueled her fire, and she knew representing victims was her only path forward.

Since then, Michelle has represented survivors in some of the most impactful catastrophic injury and sexual abuse cases of the past decade. Through her representation of survivors, she is able to personally connect with her clients and find common ground, whether that’s through shared experiences as women or as former athletes. Notably, Michelle represented former USA gymnasts who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar, leading efforts that ultimately obtained one of the largest ever settlements for sexual abuse cases in December 2021. She represented a rape survivor in a case against Hilton Management LLC that resulted in a $44 million verdict that same year. She was also part of efforts that reached settlements of $490 million in 2022 and $850 million in 2021 at the University of Michigan and the University of Southern California, respectively. Outside of sexual abuse cases, Michelle was the first attorney to file a lawsuit in connection with the MGM Las Vegas shooting, which resulted in an $800 million settlement in 2020.

Michelle was born and raised in Texas. Being a trial lawyer is in her blood. The daughter of a trial lawyer, her two younger sisters are also trial lawyers whom Michelle works with often. Before practicing law, Michelle was a world-ranked athlete in slalom water skiing. She graduated from Rollins College in 2006 and Baylor Law School in 2010 and is licensed to practice in Texas, Montana, and New York, bringing her legal expertise to clients across a broad range of jurisdictions. She now resides in Dallas with her husband and when they are not practicing law, they enjoy spending time outdoors and with family. 

Awards

Organizations & Memberships

Bar Admissions

• Texas, 2010
• New York, 2019
• Montana, 2024
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2011
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2014
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2017
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2018
• U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 2018
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 2020
• U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2019
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 2021
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2021

Former Professional Slalom Water Skier

• Ranked 3^rd in the World in Women’s Slalom—2007
• Ranked 1^st in the United States in Women’s Slalom—2007
• Water Ski World Cup Women’s Slalom Champion—2005
• Water Ski World Championships—Bronze Medal—2003
• Ireland World Cup Stop—4^th in 2006, 2^nd 2005
• Russia World Cup Stop—4^th in 2006 & 2005
• Chile, World Championships 21 and Under—Silver Medal
• United States Olympic Committee Training Stipend Recipient

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Maryssa Simpson

Partner

Maryssa Simpson is a trial lawyer who concentrates her practice on creating strong relationships with her clients. The trust relationship is particularly important in her practice areas of personal injury, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Maryssa handles all facets of sexual assault and sexual harassment litigation, including in the

employment context. She strongly believes that every client deserves their day in Court, and that survivors of sexual harassment and violence should be afforded every opportunity for justice that the law can provide.

Maryssa also represents clients in complex business and employment litigation as well as a wide range of personal injury matters, with significant expertise in the banking and credit card processing industries. Maryssa has achieved significant successes for Receivers and Trustees in ancillary cases to receiverships and bankruptcies. Maryssa’s business litigation practice includes breach of contract, non-competition, non-payment, and employment-related claims, and even extends to advising and assisting small businesses with their litigation needs.

While a tried and true Texan, Maryssa represents her clients before state and federal courts throughout the country. She is licensed in Texas and Illinois and has litigated substantially in New York, New Jersey, Utah, Colorado, and California. During law school, Maryssa served as a legal intern for the Honorable Martin Hoffman, 68th District Court, Dallas County, Texas, and as a legal intern for Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. Dallas is home, but Maryssa has practiced in hundreds of counties across the great State of Texas.

Maryssa is a graduate of Baylor University and received her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Before joining The Simpson Tuegel Law Firm, Maryssa worked as a personal injury attorney at a national plaintiff’s firm. Prior to that, Maryssa spent her first few years as a lawyer at a well-known Texas defense firm and represented clients in business and civil litigation. Maryssa’s experience on the civil defense side gave her a wide understanding of the various issues connected to civil litigation and insurance.

Maryssa grew up in Wise County in the small town of Bridgeport, Texas. She comes from a family of trial lawyers, following in her father, Mike Simpson’s footsteps. Maryssa has worked with her father and sisters who are also trial lawyers throughout her career, including her sister, Michelle, the founder of the Simpson Tuegel Law Firm.

Awards

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, 2022-2024
• Top 40 Under 40-Civil Plaintiffs by the National Trial Lawyers, 2018
• Order of the Barristers, 2013
• The International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award, 2013
• Best Advocate, Strasburger and Price Endowed Senior Honors Mock Trial Competition, 2013
• Champion, John L. Costello National Criminal Law Trial Advocacy Competition, 2013

Organizations & Memberships

• Dallas Bar Association
• Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
• 2018 Northern District of Texas Bench Bar Committee
• Texas Law School Dallas Young Alumni Steering Committee

Bar Admissions

Publications & Speaking Engagements

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Andrew Tuegel

Of Counsel

Andrew Tuegel is an experienced trial lawyer with a track record of successfully trying cases in Texas and across the country. His practice includes representing clients in personal injury litigation as well survivors of sexual assault in their path to justice. Andrew represents people suffering from personal injuries and those who have become victims of unsafe consumer and medical products. He also advocates for business owners and their commercial interests. His legal knowledge, based on his experience with this diverse clientele, enables him to navigate even the most complex cases. His focused, disciplined approach to the process of serving his clients gives them an advantage in multiple case scenarios. In the interest of helping to secure the best possible outcomes for their unique situations, Andrew prides himself on close communication with his clients. He is dedicated to carefully understanding his clients’ goals and soliciting their input throughout the legal process.

Andrew has been consistently recognized as one of the best lawyers in the state, having been named to Texas Rising Stars, which honors the top 2.5% of attorneys in the state, every year from 2015–2020.  He has been recognized as a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 for 2019 and 2020, and named a Best Lawyer in America for 2020.  He  is a member and former board member of the Texas Trial Lawyers, and a member of the National Trial Lawyers.

Born and raised in Abilene, Texas, Andrew graduated from Abilene Christian University with a degree in Political Science, summa cum laude, in 2006.  He earned a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Baylor Law School in 2010, where he met his wife, Michelle Simpson Tuegel.

Awards

Organizations & Memberships

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Hailey McMaster

Paralegal/Survivor Advocate

Hailey serves as The Simpson Tuegel Law Firm’s Paralegal/Survivor Advocate. Hailey is the first point of contact for potential clients when they reach out to the firm. She also assists clients with the onboarding process in obtaining what we need from them when they become our clients.  In addition to heading up intake, Hailey’s background and Masters in psychology give her the unique background to truly understand and assist the survivors we represent in accessing survivor support resources in the community and mental health care systems. 

In February 2024, Hailey completed the 45-hour National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA) training program to become a certified victim’s advocate. As a result of that training, Hailey can provide enhanced guidance, emotional support, and advocacy to survivors navigating the legal process, delivering comprehensive assistance tailored to their unique needs. Her commitment to professional development underscores our firm’s unwavering dedication and trauma-informed approach to our work on behalf of survivors of sexual assault.

Prior to her work at the firm, Hailey held a wide range of roles in the psychology and legal field. She worked in the Civil Division for the Orange County Superior Court in California, as a Background Investigator for a private investigation company, and as an Evaluations Assistant completing forensic evaluations of civilly committed sexual offenders. In addition, she has held internship positions with police departments, a family justice center serving victims of domestic violence, and with the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

Hailey is an alumna of Texas Christian University, class of 2019, where she graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Psychology and a BS in Criminal Justice. While at TCU, Hailey was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology, and Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society as well as receiving spots on the Dean’s List for her academic success. Hailey is also an alumna of the University of California, Irvine, class of 2021, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master’s in Legal & Forensic Psychology. Hailey is passionate about the field of psychology & law and hopes to serve as a trauma-informed resource for victims seeking legal assistance with The Simpson Tuegel Law Firm.  

In her free time, Hailey enjoys socializing with friends, numerous outdoor activities, watching Horned Frog football, and spending time with her dog Oliver. 

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Emma Steigerwald

Paralegal/Intake Coordinator

Emma is a Paralegal and Intake Coordinator with The Simpson Tuegel Law Firm. Alongside fellow paralegal and licensed survivor advocate Hailey McMaster, Emma often serves as the first point of contact for potential clients, helping them begin their journey to justice. Emma brings a wealth of experience to our firm along with her passion for survivor’s rights and commitment to serving our clients.  

Before joining our team, Emma worked as a paralegal at an Estate Planning and Probate firm in Houston, Texas. Her responsibilities included preparing and filing legal documents such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney with probate courts. She also assisted clients in completing necessary intake paperwork for estate planning and probate matters. 

Prior to that, Emma was an Account Manager at a global staffing firm where she helped identify top IT talent within Fortune 500 clients and maintain relationships with candidates and hiring managers. 

Emma earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech in 2022. During her time at Virginia Tech, she was a student-athlete on the Women’s Soccer team. Emma is dedicated to advocating for survivors and other athletes who may need legal support. 

In August 2023, Emma completed an 84-hour paralegal studies program at Boston University with a GPA of 4.0, enhancing her proficiency in legal research, writing, and other related tasks. 

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Emma spends her time traveling, attending sports events, and socializing with friends.