Publisher’s note: The following Q&A is the product of a thought leadership series with Dallas legal recruiter Kate Cassidy of Lotus Legal Search. Cassidy started her career in Big Law with Weil Gotshal and Baker Botts before moving in-house to work for the Dallas Stars and later the Texas Rangers, where she was acting general counsel. In this series, Cassidy will interview leaders in the Texas legal market.
Dallas litigator John Polzer was instrumental in helping Philadelphia-based Duane Morris expand its DFW presence and open a Fort Worth outpost. In this Q&A, Polzer dishes on transitioning from a regional firm like Cantey Hanger to an AmLaw 100 firm, describes the uniqueness of the Fort Worth market, encourages resilience in networking, and talks Buc-ee’s and specialized business courts.
Kate Cassidy: How is Duane Morris doing in Dallas?
John Polzer: Growing fast. We are full at our offices in the Crescent and will expand soon. We continue to see growth and opportunity as well as a lot of interest from laterals who seek rate flexibility along with an international footprint.
Cassidy: What is a trend you see in Texas litigation work?
Polzer: In conversations with clients, colleagues and opposing counsel, you get a sense of other areas of the country that may be slow or not in growth mode. We do not have that problem here. Just look around, there is a lot of activity and we are still seeing large companies move to Texas. For litigation work, more companies in Texas means more disputes in Texas. We are also interested to see the effect of the new business courts. Many of us have taken that drive down I-95, across the Pennsylvania border and into Delaware for our cases in Chancery Court, but many of us would prefer a stop at Buc-ee’s and a trip down I-35 or I-45.
Cassidy: You’ve practiced at a regional firm (Cantey Hanger) and now an AmLaw 100 firm. Can you speak to the differences and the transition?
Polzer: I loved my 14 years at Cantey Hanger. I started there in my mid-20s and left in my 40s so a lot of growth happened there. I owe my early legal education to great lawyers like Steve Tatum, Jeff Kinsel, Jordan Parker and Ralph Duggins. I still have friends there and I think it is a wonderful firm to practice in. My good friend [Hon.] Jason Boatright and I were part of the original six to start the Dallas office. We started as a litigation-focused team, but we now have a full service platform in Dallas. We now have corporate, intellectual property, real estate, business restructuring and employment partners in-house. The growth was not easy but was strategically aided by some really thoughtful Duane Morris partners. The co-head of our Austin office, who has a busy energy and litigation practice, literally checked in with me every day for the first few weeks to make sure we were getting the support we needed. I talk often with our trial group co-heads in Philadelphia and San Francisco. I’ve been fortunate to work with over 100 different timekeepers at Duane Morris who have helped provide excellent client service to my clients. The main difference is I can say “yes” to most opportunities. I can say yes to national and international work. I can say yes to complicated corporate and tax matters. The move just gave me a deeper bench of practitioners to help me be in the game for all types of legal work all over the world.
Cassidy: You helped Duane Morris open in Dallas and Fort Worth. Why both offices and what advantages did you see to opening in Fort Worth?
Polzer: Fort Worth is its own market. When Randy Gordon and I introduced our CEO Matt Taylor to Fort Worth he was surprised that Dallas and Fort Worth were 30 miles apart and clearly distinct with two defined central business districts. Fort Worth is growing quickly and as it grows, the needs of local businesses for sophisticated national and international legal services also grows. We have seen that connection with our work with Fort Worth stalwarts like Vaquero Ventures, Muckleroy & Falls and Westwood Contractors as well as public entities like Tarrant Regional Water District, Johnson County Special Utility District and others on the west side of the Trinity. We are actively seeking Fort Worth lawyers who can benefit from the Duane Morris international reach, but are still able to work from our office at 777 Main in downtown Fort Worth.
Cassidy: What are your thoughts on the debate on attorneys working remotely vs. in office?
Polzer: In both Dallas and Fort Worth, most of us are in the office every day. The firm does have a flexible, hybrid work policy but I think it is the culture of businesses and the bar in DFW to be in the office more often than not. I have a short commute to both the Dallas and Fort Worth offices. But we are lucky compared to our colleagues elsewhere. I have talked to my colleagues on both coasts that have to take a car, train and bus (all of them!) to get to the office. Others have commutes that involved sitting in the car for an hour both ways – I hear you Los Angeles office! I think having flexibility is also important for those with families. Flexibility helps with school events, sports, doctors’ appointments etc. Relatedly, I am the proud basketball coach of the 5th Grade St. Rita Lady Spartans!
Cassidy: What was it like opening a new AmLaw office?
Polzer: Not as glamourous as it seems. It is a lot of hard work. I have learned a lot about the lift required to get an office up and going. We are fortunate to have lawyers in both offices in Dallas and Fort Worth that are willing to put in the time to network, grow awareness of the firm and to meet with potential candidates.
Cassidy: What do you enjoy most about the practice of law?
Polzer: I spent a few of my teen years working 10+ hour days as a janitor making less than $4.00/hr. So while it is hard work, it is not that. I do enjoy that every day is different. We are fortunate to work in nice (air conditioned) offices, with interesting people and doing work that affects and (hopefully) helps many. It definitely keeps your mind active and you always meet new people and learn about what is going on in the business community. Some of my favorite things to do are go to lunch with friends in real estate and private equity just to hear about what is happening in the deal world. We are usually at Cremona in Uptown if you want to swing by!
Cassidy: Any career advice for young attorneys?
Polzer: Start networking early. It can be frustrating as a young attorney to not see your efforts immediately turn into business, but casting a wide net of contacts will help you as you advance in your career. I also think it is important to not pigeon hole yourself in one area. Some may not agree with this, but as a general commercial litigator I think a wide range of cases in my 20 years of practice has helped me.
Cassidy: What’s your favorite travel destination?
Polzer: Easy. Any chance I get you can find me at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California. My kids and I are taking surfing lessons as we try and improve to take on the Wedge!
Cassidy: What are you reading for fun right now?
Polzer: The Man to See by Evan Thomas about legendary D.C. lawyer Edward Bennett Williams. He had humble beginnings and not only practice law but owned parts of the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Orioles.