Birmingham, Ala.-based Balch & Bingham announced Tuesday that the lawyers and staff of Austin’s Duggins Wren Mann & Romero, which focuses on the energy sector, will join the firm’s Austin office nearly doubling its presence in the Texas capital.
Balch Managing Partner Stan Blanton said the firm “could not have found another group of lawyers who offer the expertise and talent” of Duggins Wren Mann & Romero, particularly in the electricity and gas sectors.
“Together, we will offer exceptional depth and capability to address complex regulatory, litigation, and transactional matters not only from Georgia to Texas but nationwide,” Blanton said.
Duggins Wren Mann & Romero Managing Partner David Gilliland said the combination allows his team to leverage a national platform to better serve clients.
“We were inspired by Balch’s 100-year history serving the energy sector and share its commitment to client success,” Gilliland said. “Together, our clients will realize value from the expanded expertise, broader resources, and additional capabilities this partnership provides.”
Balch lawyers will move to DWMR’s offices, which are about one block from the Texas Capitol. Balch has two dozen lawyers in Austin, and Duggins Wren Mann & Romero has 21 attorneys. Balch has more than 240 attorneys in nine offices across the country that advise clients in highly regulated industries.
In addition to Gilliland, other DWMR attorneys joining Balch include senior counsel Celina Romero, senior counsel James McNally and of counsel Drew McEwen. DWMR has one associate in Connor Kilgallen while partners include: Jay Breedveld, Everett Britt, William Coe, Stephanie Green, Jason Harvey, William Johnson, Don Lewis, James Mann, Kerry McGrath, Jo Ann Merica, Kevin Oldham, Carey Olney, Scott Olsen, Patrick Pearsall, Bret Slocum and Mark Strain.