Texas Law Firms Gird for Battle Against GOP Leaders’ Threats for Providing Abortion Options to Employees

A handful of conservative Republicans are threatening corporate law firms operating in Texas with criminal prosecution, civil sanctions and even disbarment if they play any role in their Texas employees going out of state to get abortions. Texas Freedom Caucus accuses the global law firm Sidley Austin of being “complicit in illegal abortions” and assert the “consequences that you and your colleagues will face for these actions.” But leaders at several law firms tell The Texas Lawbook that the threats are “extreme political debauchery and legally dubious.”

July 10, 2022 Mark Curriden

Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation Works Toward a More Diverse Field of Law 

The Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation last week honored 18 Texas law students with its annual scholarships, bar study grants and internships. The Lawbook reveals this year’s recipients and breaks down why they were chosen.

June 3, 2022 Anna Clare Payne

Texas Commercial Law Firms Merge, Now Exceeds 90 Lawyers

In the largest corporate law firm merger of 2022, Houston-based personal injury defense law firm Lorance Thompson announced Thursday that it has merged with Mayer LLP, a Dallas-based business law boutique. Lorance Thompson’s 22 attorneys officially started June 1 with Mayer, a three-and-a-half-year-old law firm that now has more than 90 lawyers in Dallas, Houston, Albuquerque and Fayetteville.

June 2, 2022 Mark Curriden

DBJ: O’Melveny Signs New Dallas Office Lease

The firm's new lease at Harwood No. 14 will triple its Dallas office footprint.

May 25, 2022 Anna Butler of the Dallas Business Journal

DBJ: Ross Tower Snags Four Law Firm Leases

One law firm has found a home for its first Dallas office; another has doubled its footprint; and two others have relocated or plan to relocate within the city.

May 24, 2022 Anna Butler of the Dallas Business Journal

Unparalleled Growth, Revenues, Profits – The State of Corporate Law in Texas in 2021

The Texas Lawbook 50 ranking by firm revenues in Texas is out. The financial numbers are staggering. For corporate law firms operating in Texas, 2021 wasn't just a great year – it was almost certainly the best year ever. Thirty-eight of the 50 law firms achieved record revenues. Seventeen law firms grew Texas revenues by 20 percent or more. Six law firms grew Texas revenues by 40 percent or more.

No law firm had ever come close to generating $600 million in revenue from their Texas operations. In 2021, two surpassed that mark. One skipped right over it and went straight to $725 million. This Texas Lawbook exclusive shows, 2021 will go down in corporate legal history as one for the ages.

April 25, 2022 Richard Alm & Mark Curriden

Law Firm Offices: A Destination, Not an Obligation

The Gensler Research Institute reports that while many industries are cutting back on their real estate footprints, law firms and other top performing companies continue to increase square footage. This article explores the ways firms are trying to create a "truly experiential" environment to attract and retain talent.

Pictured: Hunton Andrews Kurth's Houston office (courtesy of Gensler)

April 19, 2022 Kenneth Wiesehuegel

Three Middle-Market Law Firms, One Record-Setting Year in Texas Revenues

Three middle-market law firms achieved record revenues and profits in 2021. All three jumped above the $700,000 mark for revenue per lawyer. All three predict 2022 will be even better ― so all three are in expansion mode and looking to grow headcount. And none of the three sees any advantage in merging with an out-of-state law firm. Legal industry analysts say Munsch Hardt, Gray Reed and Munck Wilson sit in a strategic sweet spot.

April 19, 2022 Mark Curriden & Richard Alm

KRCL: Four Lawyers, a Fax Machine and 30 years of Extraordinary Texas Success and Now Succession

Raymond Kane, Gordon Russell, Joe Coleman and Mike Logan started KRCL in 1992 to flee financial bad habits of their old firm. Thirty years later, the firm they built is entrenched in the Texas middle market of corporate law firms, ranking 46th statewide in revenues in the upcoming 2021 Texas Lawbook 50. But the four partners discovered much more than success. They and their firm used fiscal restraint and commitment to long-term client service to find peace and friendship. At the twilight of their careers, they still love the practice of law and each other.

April 14, 2022 Natalie Posgate & Mark Curriden

Correction and Update – Texas Lawyer Hiring Hits Record Highs in 2021, But Firms Still Struggling to Hire More

Corporate law firms operating in Texas went on a hiring spree in 2021. The 50 largest firms representing businesses in Texas added more lawyers in 2021 than they did in any of the past 12 years. A handful of elite national practices grew headcount at a spectacular pace, but many regional law firms also swelled to record levels.

With business booming, The Texas Lawbook 50’s record-setting 2021 was built on five firms with truly big net gains in staff size, another nine with double-digit increases and just two firms with net losses of more than 10 lawyers. Despite all the growth, many corporate law firm leaders say they would have hired even more attorneys if there were lawyers available. Editor's note: The Texas Lawbook wrongly reported earlier that Bracewell's lawyer count declined by 11 in 2021. It declined by only two. The Lawbook regrets the error.

April 7, 2022 Richard Alm & Mark Curriden