AI: What’s Real, What’s Next for Law Firms in Texas?

The Texas Lawbook spoke to a handful of law firm leaders about whether or how they’re using artificial intelligence technology internally and how they are advising clients on the use of the powerful tool. This week at the Northern District of Texas Bench Bar Conference, attendees will hear from federal judges and practitioners about the ethics of AI during a panel discussion moderated by U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod.

April 16, 2024 Michelle Casady

A New Shift in Candidate Assessments

Recent trends show that firms are facing a new wave of lawyers doing more due diligence of firms prior to accepting (and even rejecting) offers. While law firms scrutinize resumes of potential candidates, they may themselves be subject to deeper review.

April 4, 2024 Charles Gillis

Susman Godfrey’s 2023: The Best Financial Year Ever for a Texas Law Firm

Susman Godfrey co-managing partner Vineet Bhatia told The Texas Lawbook that the Houston-based firm "had a pretty good year in 2023.” In fact, it was the single best financial year for any law firm's Texas operations in history. Texas Lawbook 50 data research shows that the 110 lawyers for Susman Godfrey in Texas doubled their revenue and nearly doubled their profits per partner over 2022. Keep in mind, 2022 was also a record financial year for the firm.

The firm's Texas lawyers scored some monumental courtroom victories — most of them coming with hefty contingency fee paydays. Bhatia called it "an alignment of the stars" and added, “We had a lot of happy partners.”

April 4, 2024 Mark Curriden

Munsch Hardt Begins Transition to New CEO

The Dallas-based firm announced key leadership changes this week. Phil Appenzeller, the longest serving CEO in Munsch Hardt’s history, informed the firm of his decision to transition out of leadership at its annual management meeting at the end of January.

March 28, 2024 Brooks Igo

Paul Hastings Chair: ‘A Ton of Opportunity for Us in Texas’

As eight new corporate finance partners settle into their new Houston and Dallas digs at Paul Hastings this week, the law firm’s leader told The Texas Lawbook that “we are not going to stop there.”

“There are other practice areas we are exploring,” Paul Hastings chair Frank Lopez said in an interview. “There’s a ton of opportunity in Texas. Texas may be our No. 1 priority. It is fertile ground for us.” Just six months ago, Paul Hastings operated a sleepy Houston outpost of 22 lawyers. Since September 2023, however, the law firm has been on a hiring spree in Texas, nearly doubling their numbers in the state with lateral hires from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Akin Gump and Vinson & Elkins. And firm leaders believe they could be at 60 lawyers in Texas by summer and possibly 100 attorneys within a year.

March 28, 2024 Mark Curriden

Ben Barnes Talks Leaving Kirkland, Launching Texas Office for Missouri Boutique

Texas’ growing economy and “dynamic legal market” present “many opportunities for a nimble firm like Dowd Bennett,” Barnes said in an interview with The Texas Lawbook following the announcement of his move from Kirkland & Ellis. Barnes, now a partner at Dowd Bennett, has long-held ties to St. Louis, where the litigation boutique is based.

March 19, 2024 Krista Torralva

Sorrels Law Taps Doctor-Lawyer Hieu Dang to Open Dallas Office

Dr. Hieu T. Dang has an impressive résumé, packed with medical and legal experience as well as a diversity of languages. Dang will continue his anesthesiology practice while working for Sorrels and his own private practice. In a Q&A, Dang shares his keys for success and his winding career path.

March 13, 2024 Krista Torralva

Ask a Specialist: Legal Malpractice Insurance

In this column, a veteran insurance provider highlights frequently asked questions he has received over his 20-plus years providing professional liability insurance.

February 14, 2024 Sam Cohen

What to Publish on Your LinkedIn Page: A Guide for Small and Mid-Size Law Firms

While large firms — with their hundreds of lawyers and hefty marketing departments — can churn out news on the regular, small and mid-size firms often struggle with keeping their LinkedIn pages populated. This article offers a roadmap to humanize your brand, connect with your audience, and establish credibility in the legal landscape. Publisher's Note: This content is premium subscriber thought leadership and is published outside of our paywall.

January 31, 2024 Amy Boardman Hunt

The Corner Office: Q&A with Brian Bullard

In this Q&A, the Polsinelli Dallas office managing partner weighs in on the challenges associated with succession planning at a law firm, what he is seeing in private equity dealmaking, and the benefits of taking a "generalist" approach as a young attorney. Plus, he shares the classic children's book on repeat at his home.

January 30, 2024 Kate Cassidy