Justice Emily Miskel serves on the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas and previously served for more than seven years as presiding judge of the 470th District Court in Collin County. Throughout her judicial career, she has presided over complex, high-value disputes involving substantial financial interests, closely held businesses, and sensitive family matters.
Her work reflects a disciplined approach to legal analysis, thoughtful leadership, and careful stewardship of matters carrying significant personal and financial consequences.
EDUCATION
Harvard Law School, J.D.
Stanford University, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, with distinction (top 15%)
JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE
Justice, 5th Court of Appeals, Dallas, Texas (2022 – present)
Judge, 470th District Court, Collin County, Texas (2015 – 2022)
Presided over high-asset family law matters and complex disputes involving closely held businesses, business valuation issues, substantial estates, and intricate financial structures. Managed extensive evidentiary records and expert testimony involving business valuation, tracing, and financial analysis, including matters requiring careful handling of sensitive financial information and reputational considerations.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
Justice Miskel has presided over matters involving:
- Closely held businesses
- Physician and professional practices
- Executive compensation
- Stock options and restricted stock
- Business valuation
- Tracing separate property
- Reimbursement claims
- Family limited partnerships
- Trust and estate issues
- Premarital and marital property agreements
- Electronic evidence
- Complex discovery
- Digital privacy
- International and interstate custody issues
PRIVATE PRACTICE
Before taking the bench, Justice Miskel practiced in both large-firm and boutique settings, including Thompson & Knight in Dallas and KoonsFuller in Plano, where she represented clients in complex matters involving business ownership, substantial estates, and significant financial interests.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
- William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence (2020)
- Board Certified in Family Law and Child Welfare Law
- Admitted to the United States Supreme Court
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
LEADERSHIP
Justice Miskel serves on the Texas Judicial Council and the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee. She also serves as a Director of the National Center for State Courts.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION & TRAINING
- Arbitration Training (2024)
- Family Law Mediator Training (2010)
- General Mediation Training (2009)
- Collaborative Law Training (2009)
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law Training (2013)