Houston Energy M&A Partner Returns to V&E
Vinson & Elkins has hired Houston energy M&A partner Chris Bennett. He is returning to V&E after a couple of years as a partner at Weil.
The Sterling Group GC Joins Latham
Latham & Watkins has recruited private equity general counsel Max Klupchak. Houston office managing partner Nick Dhesi said Klupchak’s “experience with middle-market deals and the industrials and manufacturing sectors, in particular, enhances our leading private equity practice not only in Texas, but across the firm.”
AZA to Open Dallas Office in January
The firm, which launched in Houston in 1993, was patient about opening a second office. John Zavitsanos said the amount of intellectual property work the firm is handling made Dallas a clear location for expansion. (Photo by Sharon Ferranti/The Texas Lawbook)
Sherri Alexander Leading the Charge as Healthcare Litigation Grows More Complex
For three decades, Sherri Alexander has built a career where medicine and law meet — leading Polsinelli’s national healthcare litigation practice through some of the industry’s toughest battles. As chair of a 70-lawyer division, she tackles disputes over reimbursement, government investigations and hospital peer review. Known for her skill in mediation, she has resolved more than 240 hospital-physician disputes and handled 70 “mini-trials,” helping Texas hospitals balance patient safety with fair treatment for doctors.
The Texas Lawbook caught up with Alexander to discuss the surge in healthcare litigation, the battle against AI-driven claim denials, the art of resolving high-stakes disputes and more.
Erin Hopkins: Another Veteran Paul Hastings Hire
Erin Hopkins, a veteran energy transactions partner at Baker Botts, is moving to the Houston office of Paul Hastings, his new law firm announced Tuesday. Hopkins brings with him 15 years of experience in energy and renewables transactions.
Midwest Law Firm with Texas Offices Merges with Northeast Firm
Cincinnati-based Frost Brown Todd, which has operations in Dallas and Houston, announced Wednesday that it is merging with the Newark-headquartered law firm Gibbons. The merged firm will be called FBT Gibbons and will have about 800 lawyers in 25 offices across the country.
White & Case Adds Energy M&A Dealmaker in Houston
White & Case bolstered its M&A and energy group by hiring veteran Houston dealmaker Ian Goldberg, the firm announced in a news release. Bringing considerable experience with complex energy transactions, Goldberg also advises on energy transition, from carbon capture to renewable projects.
Norton Rose Hires Veteran Finance Partner from Winston & Strawn
Norton Rose Fulbright announced on Thursday that it has expanded its business practice group by hiring veteran Dallas corporate finance partner Chip Gage. With more than 30 years of experience representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, he joins Norton Rose after spending nearly nine years at Winston & Strawn.
Invitation Homes Selects Former SEC Associate Director as VP of Litigation and Investigations
After more than two decades with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, B. David Fraser announced on LinkedIn he has joined Dallas-based Invitation Homes.
Houston Trial Firm Boosts Associate Salaries
Associates at AZA will see a bump of $10,000 to their annual compensation. “Our young lawyers aren’t stuck making other people’s outlines. They’re out trying cases, and we’ll pay them more for it,” AZA Hiring Partner Monica Uddin told The Lawbook in an interview.
SALSA Names New Executive Director
The San Antonio Legal Services Association announced it has hired nonprofit executive and fundraising strategist James Martinez to lead the organization as executive director. After experiencing a funding shortfall earlier this year, SALSA touted Martinez’s more than two decades of experience fundraising and leading nonprofit organizations.
New GE Vernova GC of Wind Energy Dionne Hamilton: ‘We’re Working to Make the World a Better Place’
Dionne Hamilton was not looking to leave Honeywell Smart Energy where she has served as general counsel for the past five years. The Houston corporate legal veteran had rejected several recruiting efforts over the years. But GE Vernova presented a vision of the company’s vision that Hamilton found enticing. “They are leading a new era of energy — electrifying the world while simultaneously working to decarbonize it,” Hamilton, who is in her second week as GE Vernova’s GC, told The Texas Lawbook.