In an in-depth Q&A with The Lawbook, Mark Solomon shares a few of the office’s major successes, identifies significant challenges facing the firm, surveys the lay of the land for deal activity and shares his favorite features of the new digs at PwC Tower. Plus, a windup about those damn Yankees as baseball returns.
Q&A on the Importance of Women Mentoring Women
As we commemorate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, two women lawyers in the Austin office of Vinson & Elkins — Marisa Secco Giles and Michelle Arishita — agreed to discuss the importance of women mentoring women from the perspective of both the mentor and the mentee. They share what qualities they think are most important in a mentor, the best advice they have received and how strong mentoring relationships help with the retention of female lawyers.
Haynes and Boone Opens Virginia Outpost
The Dallas-based firm expanded to Northern Virginia by adding 19 lawyers with expertise in government contracts, construction and white-collar law.
Forging a New Path: From the Federal Bench to ADR
Former federal judge Vanessa Gilmore, now a mediator, arbitrator and special master at JAMS, visited with The Lawbook about her career, the developments she anticipates in alternative dispute resolution and the legacy projects she is working on to pave the way for Houston’s future leaders.
WFH to LAW: Gray Reed’s Renovated Houston Office Aims to Feel Like Home
Coming off a record year in 2021 in which it generated $112.5 million in revenues, the 150-lawyer firm partnered with the architectural and design firm Abel Design Group for a yearlong project to create a “next generation space” at Four Oaks Place in the Galleria, where the firm has been headquartered since 1998. The 61,600 square foot modernized space features more inviting gathering spaces, including a wine lounge and fireplace, and improved technological capabilities.
Gray Reed Chief Operating Officer Mark Gargiulo said the revamped office even coined a new phrase. “Over the last couple of years, everyone has most certainly become familiar with WFH or Work From Home. However, our space has generated questions about how one might Live At Work, ironically abbreviated LAW.”
Q&A with Bell Nunnally IP Partner Roxanne Edwards
Edwards, who joined Bell Nunnally during the pandemic, visited with The Lawbook about the favorite aspects of her work and emerging and persistent intellectual property challenges, such as social media, international expansion and protecting client brands on online marketplaces.
Publisher’s Note: This Q&A is a a premium subscriber thought leadership piece.
Gibson Dunn, Winston & Strawn Add Houston Deal Lawyers
Gibson Dunn gained a former Blackstone lawyer and Winston & Strawn picked up a former energy executive.
McDermott Continues Growing Texas IP Practice
David Tobin, who is made a partner with the move, is the 13th lawyer to leave Baker Botts for McDermott Will & Emery this year.
V&E Taps Bracewell, Simpson Thacher to Bolster L&E and Executive Compensation Practices
V&E is adding Rebecca Baker, who is a past chair of Bracewell’s labor and employment practice, and two New York executive compensation partners from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.
Government Contracts Expert Returns to K&L Gates in Dallas
Sheila Armstrong has left Morgan Lewis to go back to the firm where she made partner earlier in her career.