As Texas’ booming startup and venture capital ecosystem experiences exponential growth, Pillsbury has welcomed two well-regarded emerging growth lawyers to its offices in the Lone Star State, with partner Andy Smetana and counsel Margarita Kelrikh joining in Austin and Houston, respectively. Smetana comes to the firm from Perkins Coie, where he served as office managing partner, and Kelrikh joins from Latham & Watkins.
“Since its founding, Pillsbury has consistently been at the center of the innovation economy,” said Firm Chair David Dekker. “Few startup markets are growing faster than those in Austin and Houston and having Andy and Margarita on board significantly enhances our ability to support the growing Texas community of emerging company and venture capital clients. Their arrival also further reinforces our reputation as a truly global leader when it comes to representing tech and energy sector participants.”
According to data published by Pitchbook, Austin is the eighth largest city for startup activity in the United States, while Houston broke into the top 20 U.S. markets for the first time this year. In addition to Austin and Houston, Pillsbury has an established presence in the leading startup markets in the U.S. including Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Washington, DC/Northern Virginia, San Diego and Miami.
“With so many ambitious startups and entrepreneurs in Austin and more arriving every day, Andy’s impressive track record and exceptional reputation further cement our presence in the Austin tech scene,” said Christina Pearson, Pillsbury’s Global head of Corporate and Securities-Technology. “The complement of Margarita Kelrikh in our Houston office further reflects our strategic emphasis on ClimateTech at the intersection of technology and energy.”
“The Austin entrepreneurial community is a tight knit group and I have seen firsthand how well-regarded Andy is within it,” said Austin office managing partner Ed Cavazos. “He’s an outstanding lawyer who adds new dimensions to our Austin team and our clients will benefit tremendously from his experience and deep connections here.”
As a longtime adviser to startups with prior experience as general counsel to an early-stage tech company, Smetana brings valuable insights and perspectives to entrepreneurs, emerging companies and investors across a wide variety of industries including technology, life sciences and business services. He assists many of those clients in navigating major transactions involving venture capital, private equity and strategic investors. He has extensive experience in venture capital financings, complex M&A transactions, divestitures, securities offerings and corporate governance. Smetana also advises public companies and those preparing to go public through initial public offerings.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Smetana is deeply committed to giving back to his community. As an active volunteer with CASA of Travis County and a member of its board of directors, he is dedicated to protecting children and advocating for their interests.
At the same time, Pillsbury has brought on Kelrikh as counsel in Houston. Kelrikh is a startup and venture capital rising star, representing emerging growth companies, venture investors, private equity sponsors and private equity portfolio companies in a wide range of matters including venture capital financing, M&A, debt and other complex commercial transactions.
“Pillsbury recently celebrated 20 years in Houston, as the city itself has staked out its claim to being not only the energy capital of the world, but now also the energy transition capital of the world, replete with a rapidly burgeoning CleanTech ecosystem,” said Houston managing partner Amanda Halter. “Home to over ten thousand tech firms and venture-backed startups, Houston’s booming community of entrepreneurs and innovators is driving the ongoing global energy transition forward. Margarita brings the approach and experience needed to support both our startup and venture capital clients.”
Pillsbury’s Texas offices have seen notable growth over the past few years. Smetana and Kelrikh are the latest attorneys to join, following the arrivals of patent pro Chris Drymalla; Willie Wood, a Litigation partner widely regarded as one of the top energy and trial lawyers in Texas; energy transition-focused Corporate senior counsel Ben Clark; and Environmental & Natural Resources special counsel Jillian Marullo.
Ranked as one of the most active law firms for VC financings in the world, Pillsbury’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital team counsels high-growth enterprises and venture capital investors around the globe. The firm takes shoestring startups to market-leading positions, advising clients through venture financings, technology transactions and strategic partnerships, and helping clients navigate through exit strategies, including initial public offerings and strategic acquisitions.
