Steptoe and Blank Rome on Monday announced new hires to their Houston offices.
Claudia Wilson Frost joined Steptoe’s new Houston office as a partner after eight years at Orrick. Steptoe’s hire expands its intellectual property and litigation practice, the firm said.
Audrey F. Momanaee is now a partner at Blank Rome’s Houston office in the commercial litigation group. She previously led the Texas litigation practice at Balch & Bingham.
Frost said she has always wanted to work in a premier litigation boutique.
“This is an exciting next step in my career as I join Houston partners whom I have known and respected for years, and grow with new Steptoe partners whom I have known by reputation, as we deliver quality results for our clients,” Frost said.
Steptoe launched its Houston office last month by acquiring litigation boutique Smyser Kaplan & Veselka.
Frost has led trial teams in more than 100 cases including patent litigation and commercial cases, Steptoe said in a news release. Frost has also argued cases in appellate courts around the country in areas of energy and infrastructure, technology and innovation and corporate finance, the firm noted.
“Claudia is renowned in Texas and across the US, having built a reputation with scores of jury trials in a wide variety of litigation, including litigation in intellectual property, oil and gas and energy, products liability, telecommunications, technology and corporate financial services,” firm chair Gwen Renigar said. “Her addition, along with our other new partners in Houston, creates immediate synergies in Texas.”
Frost is also a past president of the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists, a founder and former member of the executive committee of The Center for Women in Law at the University of Texas Law School, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers.
Blank Rome is also deliberately expanding its Texas presence, the firm said.
Momanaee primarily practices in Texas state and federal courts and she counsels clients through domestic and international arbitrations, the firm said. Her practice includes commercial litigation in the areas of energy, chemical reigning and manufacturing.
“The energy sector is critical to the Houston market and Audrey’s experience representing oilfield service, pipeline, chemical, and solar and renewable energy companies will provide value to our energy clients navigating business disputes and managing risk,” said Susan L. Bickley, partner and co-chair of Blank Rome’s Houston office.
Momanaee has also dedicated much of her work to pro bono guardianship cases, and she has worked on immigration matters and lease agreements for nonprofit organizations. The State Bar of Texas named Momanaee a 2022 Pro Bono Excellence Award Winner.
“I am excited to join this fantastic group of trial attorneys and draw upon the firm’s wide range
of industry teams and practice areas to serve my clients,” Momanaee said. “I also strongly believe that as lawyers we have an obligation to help underrepresented members of our communities and look forward to supporting Blank Rome’s pro bono and community service initiatives.”
Outside of legal work, Momanaee serves as president of the Houston Independent School District School Board and sits on the Community Family Centers board of directors. She is also on the Houston Association of Women Attorneys board of directors, and is a member of the Houston Association of Corporate Counsel and the Women’s Energy Network.