McGuireWoods Announces Texas Expansion
November 17, 2010
McGuireWoods LLP announced today that it has finalized an agreement to
combine operations with the Houston-based firm of Nickens Keeton Lawless Farrell
& Flack LLP (Nickens Keeton). The agreement, pending final approval of the
partnerships of both firms, will become effective Jan. 1, 2011. Nickens Keeton
will operate under the McGuireWoods name.
Founded in 2002, Nickens Keeton focuses on civil litigation, with preeminent
Texas litigator JC Nickens as its lead name partner. Nickens and partners
Richard Keeton, Tom Farrell and Paul Flack are among the most respected trial
lawyers in Houston. Ron Franklin, currently with the Houston firm of Franklin
Cardwell & Jones, will join Nickens Keeton on Dec. 1, thus becoming part of
McGuireWoods once the transaction is complete. Franklin has handled high profile
civil cases for more than 30 years and is also an esteemed Houston trial lawyer.
Collectively, the five partners who will practice out of the Houston office
will bring more than 160 years of combined experience handling complex civil
cases of all types in Texas and across the country.
“Establishing an office in Texas is a key part of the firm’s strategic plan,
as our clients and McGuireWoods Consulting’s clients frequently have needs
there,” said Richard
Cullen, chairman of McGuireWoods. “But expansion is never a decision we make
lightly. We first wanted to find the right firm to partner with. In Nickens
Keeton and Ron Franklin, we not only found a group with incredibly talented
lawyers, but one with similar values and culture.”
“We have had a good run practicing in a small firm environment, and are
energized by the opportunity to continue representing clients from the enhanced
platform that McGuireWoods provides,” Nickens said. “The partnership with
McGuireWoods gives us the ability and capacity to represent clients in any
litigation, regardless of size, complexity, or urgency. We are especially
pleased to be able to pursue this opportunity with our long-time friend and
colleague, Ron Franklin, who adds yet another person clients can confidently
turn to with their most difficult problems.”
“I’m excited about our new Houston office, and the opportunities it provides
to our clients and our firm,” said Terry Bagley, McGuireWoods’ deputy managing
partner and head of litigation. “The addition of these very talented and highly
regarded trial lawyers will greatly enhance our national trial practice.”
This announcement continues a trend of growth for McGuireWoods, as this is
the firm’s fifth expansion in as many years. In 2009, the firm expanded its
international presence by partnering with Grundberg, Mocatta & Rakison in
London; in Charlotte in 2008 by merging with Helms, Mulliss & Wicker; and in 2006
by expanding its offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, after mergers with two
separate law firms.