Baker Botts Brings Back Tech Transactions Lawyer in Dallas

Baker Botts recently announced that Dallas corporate lawyer Steve Mann, who started his legal career at the firm, has returned as a partner.

Mann practiced for the last five years at Winstead, but he said his technology transactions practice had evolved to become “significantly more geographically expansive” and he needed a global platform.

“Baker Botts is an ideal fit,” said Mann, who was at Baker Botts from 2008 to 2016. “And the fact that I had long-standing friendships with Baker Botts lawyers from my prior time with the firm didn’t hurt.”

Prior to pursuing a career in the law and receiving his law degree from SMU, Mann worked for a decade at IBM as a systems architect, a global information technology consulting practice manager and a program manager overseeing the integration of acquired companies.

In addition to his tech transactions focus, Mann counsels clients on data privacy and cybersecurity issues.

“It is rare today that a technology transaction does not involve data subject to the expanding scope of privacy laws,” Mann said. “These evolving requirements must be considered from the very beginning of transactions and technology ventures.” 

Recent deals Mann has handled include representing an international airline in an agreement to acquire “next-generation single-aisle” aircraft from Airbus and assisting multiple clients in establishing data centers to mine Bitcoin and other high performance, energy intensive operations. 

“We are excited to welcome Steve back to our firm. Considering that almost 40% of our revenue is generated from clients in the technology sector, he represents another step in the execution of our strategic plan,” Baker Botts Managing Partner John Martin said in a statement. “He has a strong reputation as a leader in complex technology transactions and M&A and will play an instrumental role in strengthening our global corporate technology capabilities.”