Margo Cardwell’s command of both process and politics and adroit mind for policy considerations make her an invaluable asset to clients seeking to influence legislative and regulatory outcomes. A trusted confidante of policymakers, Cardwell delivers consistent results with grace and integrity, making her a welcomed presence in the Texas Capitol and administrative hallways of state government.

Margo Cardwell was most recently the top policy and legal advisor in the Office of Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, serving over a span of nearly four years as the general counsel to the house, senior advisor, and director of policy. She was a tireless facilitator for both the Office of the Speaker and the House, collaborating with members, stakeholders, and state agencies to ensure the smooth passage of bills through the legislative process.

Margo Cardwell is an Austin native. She graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she was active on multiple campaigns and gained Capitol Hill experience in the office of the senior U.S. senator from Texas. Margo earned her law degree from the University of Texas and worked for one of the state’s largest trade associations before serving as general counsel to a Texas state senator. Margo was the chief policy analyst on Greg Abbott’s historic 2014 gubernatorial campaign before joining one of Austin’s top lobby groups and ultimately establishing Margo Cardwell, PLLC.

In addition to her work as a registered lobbyist, Margo is an accomplished lawyer and one of the state’s leading ethics attorneys, having advised Texas legislators, statewide officeholders, PACs, and businesses on state elections and campaign finance law. She has led numerous CLEs and panels and currently serves as a council member of the Texas State Bar’s Legislative and Campaign Law Section.