Marek had been a frequent presence on corporate teams at Vinson & Elkins, including some of the firm’s largest deals in 2025. Marek had been with V&E since his graduation from University of Texas School of Law in 2014.
Willkie Adds Veteran Duo From Baker Botts
Willkie Farr & Gallagher announced Tuesday that it has hired two Texas-based partners, Jon Platt and Larry Hall, to its Dallas office, which was launched nearly a year ago. The duo joins from Baker Botts after each spent significant time working within the firm’s transactional practices there.
Shook, Hardy & Bacon Hires Retired Magistrate Judge
Kimberly Priest Johnson, who formerly served as a U.S. magistrate judge in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas, has joined the Houston office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon as a partner in its complex litigation and strategic counseling practice group.
Haynes Boone’s New Partner from EPA Bolsters Environmental Practice
Clarissa Howley Mills, a former deputy regional counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency, played a key role in one of the largest settlements nationwide relating to the Clean Air Act. She said her experience growing up on a crop farm in Northern Kansas gives her an appreciation for the environment and business related to it.
A&O Shearman Snags Veteran Energy Finance Partner from Mayer Brown
A&O Shearman has hired Paul Astolfi as a partner in its energy, natural resources and infrastructure practice in its Dallas office.
Cozen O’Connor Hires of Former Judge and Veteran Houston Litigator
Cozen O’Connor has hired veteran litigator and former Texas state district court judge Jeff K. Work as a member in its global insurance department in its Houston office.
Scott Hogan, Former 1st Assistant U.S. Attorney in Dallas, Joins Dykema
The longtime prosecutor is reuniting with former U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton to form what Dykema calls ‘a potent tag team’ in healthcare litigation and other white-collar fields.
Sheppard Mullin Adds Healthcare Partner in Houston
Tammy Woffenden comes to the firm from Troutman Pepper Locke, where, prior to the firm’s merger with Troutman Pepper, she was co-chair of Locke Lord’s healthcare practice group. She had been with the firm since September 2006.
Jackson Walker Hires Labor & Employment Lawyers from Chamberlain Hrdlicka
This week, Jackson Walker bolstered its labor and employment practice in Houston with the addition of two lawyers from Chamberlain Hrdlicka. Diana Pérez Gomez joins the firm as a partner and Leslie Tan joins as senior counsel.
Paul Hastings Hires Away King & Spalding Trial Pro in Houston
In an interview with The Texas Lawbook, Craig Stanfield said that closely watching Paul Hastings’ moves over the past year or two fostered his interest in the firm. “I wanted to see their strategy, and it seemed to me they had a pretty well-defined strategy for building, bringing on teams in Dallas and Houston,” he said. “That was very attractive to me. This is a really strategic and ambitious firm, and they have a Texas strategy that is working.”