TechnipFMC’s Former Head of Litigation Joins Fletcher Held
After over seven years as in-house counsel, Steve Ryan has switched back to private practice at Fletcher Held in Houston. He said he was ready for a change and missed the courtroom.
Kilpatrick Bolsters Houston Office
Kilpatrick added another experienced energy attorney to its Houston office. Barclay Nicholson joined the firm’s construction and infrastructure team in December after nearly four years as a founding partner of the Sheppard Mullin office in Houston. Prior to that, he spent more than 21 years as an energy and commercial litigation partner with Norton Rose Fulbright.
Melsheimer, Stodghill Lead Nine-Partner Litigation Team to King & Spalding
Prominent Dallas trial lawyer Tom Melsheimer, long-time law partner Steven Stodghill and seven other litigation partners from Winston & Strawn started their new positions as partners at King & Spalding in Dallas today. “I was on top of the mountain with Winston,” Melsheimer told The Texas Lawbook. “But then I saw another mountain. King & Spalding made an offer that I could not say no to, so I didn’t. King & Spalding understands that this is a war for the best talent because the best talent attracts the best clients. King & Spalding is in it to win this war.”
Groundhog Day: More Competition for Texas Talent
Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and the first week of February has seen at least 20 business lawyers in Texas on the move, including a new Oil & Gas co-chair at Baker Botts.
Weil Opens New Austin Office as Firm Now Has Three in Texas
When Weil brought intellectual property trial veteran Jeff Homrig back to the firm in August, there was speculation that the notable summer lateral would be its opportunity to open an Austin office. Six months later to the day, it’s official: Weil has a new office in Central Texas, its third in the state, the firm announced early Monday morning in a news release.
The new office will offer commercial litigation and corporate practices, with IP litigation serving as its initial focus, according to the firm.
Smith, Gambrell & Russell Expands Texas Reach with New Addition
International law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell added Mitch Ackal on Monday and hopes to grow an office in the Houston market. Before joining SGR, Ackal spent two decades at Gray Reed.
Former SEC Chief Trial Lawyer Takes Practice to Vartabedian
Prominent white-collar defense and corporate securities lawyer Toby Galloway has joined Vartabedian Hester & Haynes, a 35-lawyer Fort Worth boutique that has witnessed significant growth since it was founded two years ago.
The Texas Lawbook interviewed Galloway about the move to VHH.
Brown Fox Jumps Over to The Quad, Nearly Doubles Footprint
Russ Brown, cofounder and managing partner of Brown Fox, said the full-service business boutique wanted to be in the “nerve center of the top economic center in the country.” It is the latest instance of Uptown landing a law firm’s Dallas digs.