Much has been written about the “hot” lateral market for law firm partners in recent years. This publication, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and others have all noted the fierce competition for talent. In years past, that competition centered around transactional or corporate lawyers. Today, it also centers around trial lawyers. Why? With fewer cases going to trial than ever before, even as deals are being done at historically record levels, why would trial lawyers be as in demand as deal lawyers? The answer: There aren’t that many of us around.
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Clifford Chance Taps Alexandra Wilde to Lead Houston Office
Clifford Chance named Alexandra Wilde the Office Managing Partner in Houston, as the Magic Circle law firm continues investing in the nation’s fourth-largest city.
Wilde joined the firm after more than a decade at Jones Day in Dallas, as one of the first partners in the Houston office in 2023.
Learning from One of the First Business Court Trials
When the Texas Business Court opened its doors in September 2024, following years of discussing its potential promise, there was a flood of excitement from the business and legal community. Cases streamed into the new court in greater-than-expected numbers, especially in Houston and Dallas. But filing a case and trying it are two very different things.
Houston Jury Awards $47.6M in Drilling Tool Patent Case
The jury returned its verdict March 5, finding Downhole Well Solutions’ tools infringed three patents held by Impulse and that the infringement was willful. The jury rejected arguments that the patents were invalid. Impulse’s lead lawyer, John Keville of Sheppard, told The Lawbook the jury awarded the damages he requested “to the penny.”
Mayer Brown Lands Six-Partner Litigation Group
An energy litigation group led by Yasser and Meghaan Madriz has departed McGuireWoods for Mayer Brown, the firm announced on Tuesday.
WDTX Jury Finds Lyft Infringed Patent
An Austin jury found last week that the rideshare platform Lyft infringed one of Quartz Auto Technologies’ patents and awarded the company $1.05 million. Lyft, accused of infringing five patents, is calling the verdict a win.
Citi Report: Texas Law Firms Hit Double-Digit Revenue, Profit Increases in 2025
Despite weak demand, a decline in productivity and lower hourly rate increases than the national average, corporate law firms based in Texas experienced major increases in revenue and profits per partner in 2025, according to a new report by Citibank’s Global Wealth Law Firm Group. Citi’s Michael McKenney said 2025 started slow for the business law community with fears about a federal government shutdown and other macro concerns but ended the year in record fashion.
Gibson Dunn Advises Exxon As Energy Giant Looks To Reincorporate in Texas
ExxonMobil announced Tuesday that its board seeks shareholder approval to change the company’s legal permanent home to Texas from New Jersey.
Gibson Dunn advised the company with a team led by Houston partners Gerry Spedale, Hillary Holmes and Tull Florey, as well as Washington, D.C., partner Ronald Mueller. Jeff Taylor is Exxon’s general counsel.
DLA Piper Adds Corporate, Securities Litigation Partner to Austin Office
Michael Biles, a corporate and securities litigation partner, has joined DLA Piper in Austin from King & Spalding. Biles will focus his practice on securities class actions, derivative lawsuits, and regulatory investigations and enforcement actions involving public companies, officers and directors.
Jury Trial Begins in Mesothelioma Case Against J&J
Dallas-based Dean Omar Branham Shirley, which has brought several cases against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson across the country, commenced its jury trial in Spokane, Washington, Monday morning. Jurors heard from the parties over whether the alleged asbestos in J&J’s baby powder caused Verna Richards’ life-ending mesothelioma cancer.