Ed Burbach, a former top deputy in the Texas attorney general’s office, has assumed a national leadership role in the firm’s government practice groups. He is determined to grow the practices, saying that clients are thinking about state and federal regulatory issues and their lawyers should be, too. Burbach represents clients targeted by state attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission. He also has managed the Austin office since the December death of longtime leader Kim Yelkin.
Blank Rome Expands to Dallas with Corporate Group
The Philadelphia-founded law firm announced the opening of its second Texas office on Monday with seven attorneys from four firms.
In Wake of Harvard Supreme Court Decision, Kanarys Founder Provides Practical DEI Tips
As higher education circles, prospective students of color and mainstream media grapple with the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision, so too does the legal industry. The Lawbook wanted a DEI expert’s take and got input from Kanarys founder Mandy Price, a Big Law attorney-turned DEI guru.
Texas Legacy Firms Finding Footing at Home
With a 16 percent jump in 2022 revenues, Jackson Walker is leading a resurgence of Texas-based firms that are growing revenues and increasing profits in their Texas operations. Fifteen of the 50 corporate law firms in the Texas Lawbook 50 are headquartered in Texas — down from 39 a decade ago. Those 15 Texas legacy firms generated $5.83 billion in 2022 — $3.37 billion from their Texas operations.
Twelve of the 15 Texas-headquartered firms grew revenues in 2022. Four firms increased year-over-year Texas revenues by more than 10 percent. Five additional Texas legacy firms reported annual revenue increases in their Texas offices by five percent or more. More than 42 percent of the revenue generated by Texas legacy firms came from their out-of-state operations. The Texas Lawbook has a full analysis.
Updated — Baker Botts’ Next MP: ‘Merger May Be in Our Future’ But Priority Is Strategic Growth in Texas and Beyond
For the first time in more than four decades, Baker Botts has elected a litigation partner to lead the 600-attorney, Houston-headquartered corporate law firm. The firm’s partners have chosen corporate securities litigation partner Danny David to replace John Martin, who has been managing partner since 2019 but faces mandatory retirement later this year. In a Friday morning interview, David told The Texas Lawbook that his top priority is to “grow smart to the strengths of our leading practices.”
Three Law Firms, Extraordinary Growth — The LA Connection
Three of the five fastest growing law firms in Texas today were founded or headquartered in Los Angeles. Gibson Dunn, Latham and O’Melveny added many times more lawyers and revenues in 2022 than the average corporate law firm operating in Texas, according to The Texas Lawbook 50. The three firms with California roots employed 368 lawyers who generated $595 million in their Texas offices in 2022 — up from 140 Texas attorneys in 2016 who brought in $179 million in business.
This is the story of three global corporate law firms and their extraordinary growth in Texas, as well as their strategies for the next two years. Spoiler alert: All three have deep pockets and big plans for Austin, Houston and Dallas.
Talen Energy GC Moves Up, New GC Moves In, V&E Gets New GC
Three weeks after exiting bankruptcy, Talen Energy announced that GC Andrew Wright will be the company’s next chief administrative officer and V&E partner John Wander will be the energy firm’s next GC effective June 19. Wander also served as V&E’s internal GC. With his departure, the firm announced that partner Vanessa Griffith will be the Houston-based law firm’s new GC.
Clifford Chance Officially Hangs Shingle in Houston
The Texas Lawbook exclusively reported on Friday that Jonathan Castelan joined the Magic Circle firm from Latham & Watkins’ Houston office. Trevor Lavelle, a partner at Latham, will also be accompanying him.
Meaningful Change Requires Personal Investment
As female attorneys who have worked in-house and in various firm environments, we have seen firsthand the challenges that women and marginalized communities face in the legal profession.
While there has been progress in recent years, there are still far too few female partners and other underrepresented leaders in the field, such that we can’t rely on structural and institutional change alone. More progress cannot occur without lawyers across the spectrum investing in the next generation of lawyers from underrepresented communities.
Will Shearman’s Merger with A&O Impact the Texas Legal Market?
London-based Allen & Overy has coveted a presence in Texas to boost its global energy practice. On Sunday, the Magic Circle firm got it. A&O and Shearman & Sterling, a New York-headquartered corporate law firm with 60 lawyers in Austin, Dallas and Houston, announced Sunday that they are merging. The Texas Lawbook looks at Shearman’s operations in Texas and what the merger might mean.