Ben A. Barnes, a former Kirkland & Ellis partner who is spearheading Missouri-based Dowd Bennett’s expansion into Texas, said he has “kept an eye on” the litigation boutique since his clerkship for Eighth Circuit Judge Raymond Gruender in St. Louis a decade ago.
So when the opportunity arose to join the firm as it opened a Dallas office, Barnes said he already knew the firm well and would fit in seamlessly.
Dowd Bennett announced last week the addition of Barnes as a partner and its expansion to Texas, where the firm says many of its clients have business ties. The firm also has offices in Boston, Denver and Chicago.
“We are a proud St. Louis-rooted law firm, and in today’s environment, it’s important that Dowd Bennett have a presence in multiple cities,” founding partner Ed Dowd said while announcing Barnes’ hire. “We’re glad that Ben has decided to join us. He has unique experience and expertise. We look forward to growing in Texas with him.”
Barnes said he was attracted to the firm’s “skill, agility and flexibility.”
“I think there are many opportunities for a nimble firm like Dowd Bennett in our dynamic legal market in Texas,” Barnes said in an interview with The Texas Lawbook.
Barnes graduated in 2012 from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. He has served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve since 2010.
Read more from the Lawbook’s interview with Barnes below.
Why did you decide Dowd Bennett was a better fit for your practice at this time than Kirkland & Ellis?
Dowd Bennett is a fantastic firm with a deep bench of skilled trial lawyers. It is a litigation boutique that exclusively handles trial and appellate work and internal investigations. This platform is very attractive to me as a trial lawyer, because Dowd Bennett offers the skill, agility and flexibility that good clients demand in today’s marketplace. I have nothing but respect for my former colleagues at Kirkland, who are some of the best in the business. But I think there are many opportunities for a nimble firm like Dowd Bennett in our dynamic legal market in Texas. Ed Dowd and Jim Bennett have built and grown a formidable litigation firm, and it’s an honor to join them.
Can you tell me more about your ties to St. Louis and the Eighth Circuit clerkship? Is that when Dowd Bennett first got on your radar or how did you first hear about the firm?
I moved to St. Louis in 2009 to attend Washington University School of Law, graduating in 2012. I then remained in St. Louis for another year to clerk for Eighth Circuit Judge Raymond Gruender, also a WashU Law alum. This was a memorable time in my life because St. Louis is such a wonderful city filled with great people. Back then, Dowd Bennett had a fantastic reputation around the courthouse, and the firm maintains that reputation today. I kept an eye on Dowd Bennett after leaving St. Louis, and several of my law school classmates — Phil Cantwell, Caitlin O’Connell and Jeffrey Hoops — eventually became partners of the firm. I travel to St. Louis frequently in connection with my service on WashU Law School’s board of advisors and have met several of Dowd Bennett’s other lawyers over the past few years. When I first learned of the opportunity to join Dowd Bennett, I felt like I already knew the firm very well. I have been very impressed with all of the lawyers.
You mentioned (in the press release) that you’ve had the opportunity to work with Dowd Bennett lawyers. Since they haven’t had a Texas office until now, I’m curious, in what cases or how did you come to work with them?
In 2018, Dowd Bennett was handling a breach of contract case in the Northern District of Texas in front of Judge [Jane] Boyle, and I was their local counsel. The case ended up settling, but it gave me the chance to get to know and work with a few of my new partners — Matt Johnson, Adam Simon and former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.
Why has Dowd Bennett decided to expand its presence to Texas and how did it pick Dallas?
Both Texas in general and Dallas in particular are experiencing phenomenal economic growth. The increase in commercial activity will inevitably lead to an increase in litigation. In Texas, we have an active trial bar with a long tradition of excellence. We think Dowd Bennett can fit in nicely here. There are huge opportunities for the firm in Texas, and we hope to contribute to the state’s continuing growth.
Is the firm actively seeking to hire additional lawyers in Dallas?
We plan to grow in Dallas as dictated by the needs of our clients.
How are your clients responding to the news of your move?
So far the response is overwhelmingly positive. I think savvy litigation clients recognize the benefits of working with a boutique like Dowd Bennett. We have the talent and the resources to meet clients’ needs with more flexibility than some of our larger competitors.
What’s keeping you busy in your practice right now?
Historically, I have focused on commercial litigation within the energy industry and on restructuring-related litigation. My energy docket has been especially busy over the last few years. I’ve recently handled a number of disputes involving electricity markets, electricity contracts and midstream deals. As more companies invest in the development of renewable energy infrastructure, I expect that disputes involving those development projects will occupy a larger share of my docket.
What am I not asking you about your practice that I ought to be?
Dowd Bennett is also active in Denver and handles a fair amount of energy litigation out of that office. This is another great synergy for my practice because I am barred in both Colorado and Texas. I’m looking forward to partnering with Matt Johnson, who I have previously worked with and who leads Dowd Bennett’s Denver office, to build on existing relationships and expand the firm’s reach with these clients into Texas.