BakerHostetler confirmed today that it has opened a full-service office in Dallas, expanding the firm’s presence in Texas. With 16 highly accomplished and prominent lawyers, the new Dallas office includes experienced practitioners across a wide range of practices, including M&A and business transactions, complex litigation, white collar and tax. It is the firm’s 16th office and its second in Texas, following the firm’s well-established office in Houston.
The Dallas office launches under the leadership of Shawn Cleveland, who joined the firm in September 2019. “We were all drawn to BakerHostetler’s leading reputation and national platform when it comes to large-scale litigation, middle-market M&A, private equity, energy, healthcare and privacy and data protection, but the firm’s collaborative approach and commitment to client service were equally important to us,” said Cleveland.
“We’re grateful to officially open our doors in Dallas with an exceptional team. The long-planned opening of our office has coincided with the COVID-19 health crisis unfolding around the world. But in these challenging times, it is important that we carry on doing all we can for our clients and our community,” Cleveland added. BakerHostetler’s new Dallas team is heavily engaged in ongoing transactional and litigation matters, as well as significant work counseling Dallas-area clients on emerging COVID-19-related issues.
“Dallas presents a logical next step for us given our 30-year history in Houston and our long-standing commitment to Texas,” said Paul Schmidt, chairman of BakerHostetler. “We have a host of important client relationships in Dallas, and we have several clients who have moved their headquarters there in recent years and others with meaningful business needs in Dallas. Our Dallas attorneys, while currently working remotely due to COVID-19, will enhance our ability to serve those valued existing clients and build new relationships to establish a strong presence in this important market. Our highest priority right now is the health and safety of our clients, our people, our families and our communities. At the same time, we remain steadfastly committed to providing the highest quality in client service and to the success of our clients. In these uncertain times, our clients need us more than ever. Our strategic decision to announce our expansion into Dallas is consistent with this focus on client service and will allow us to better meet the needs of our clients throughout Texas.”
“Our new Dallas office will not only augment our Litigation Practice Group’s capabilities in Texas but will further expand the nature of our litigation services nationwide and enhance our ability to provide multidisciplinary responses to clients’ enterprise risk challenges around the globe,” said W. Ray Whitman, chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. “It will also allow our clients with ties to Texas to benefit from our commitment to this key commercial market,” said Whitman, who is based in the firm’s Houston office.
“We are pleased to be joined in Dallas by partners and associates who will complement our corporate and tax practices and enhance our footprint and reach,” said John Allotta, chair of the firm’s Business Practice Group. “The team also includes attorneys in corporate governance and outsourced general counsel services, which are unique capabilities complementing our M&A and private equity practices, each playing to the core strengths of our firm’s Business Practice Group. Our expansion in Dallas aligns with the firm’s strategic priority to expand transactional capabilities in major markets.”
Joining BakerHostetler’s Litigation Practice Group are partners L. David Anderson, Tamara D. Baggett and C. Shawn Cleveland. The Business Practice Group has added Todd J. Thorson, Jordan T. Bethea, Ryan D. Gorsche, Patrick H. Rose IV and Robert A. Schroeder. Matt Hunsaker joins the Tax Practice Group.
These partners are joined by a strong team of counsel and associates that includes Micah C. Brooks, Ewa Champagne, Jayshree Jewett, Jared M. Price, Paul L. Roessner, Kelly N. Wray and Sophilia H. Wu.
L. David Anderson is a litigator with more than 20 years of experience handling complex commercial litigation across a diverse span of industries, with an emphasis on high-stakes, bet-the-company litigation. He brings with him to BakerHostetler a wealth of experience, having worked on litigation matters involving private equity investments in company assets across multiple industries, contract disputes, partnership disputes, non-compete and/or non-solicit disputes, intellectual property disputes, theft of trade secrets, real estate and fraud matters. David was formerly a partner with Wick Phillips.
Tamara D. Baggett is an experienced commercial litigator and trusted advisor who relies on her business background to find creative and cost-effective solutions for clients. Companies rely on her to prepare a winning case with an understanding of strategic and operational concerns. Her diverse practice includes construction and real estate litigation, brand protection, unfair trade practices, contract disputes, entity breakup and shareholder disputes, fiduciary litigation and tort defense. Tamara was formerly a partner with Barnes & Thornburg.
Jordan T. Bethea advises clients on their significant and complex transactional needs. He works closely with public and private companies, private equity firms and family offices on M&A and other strategic corporate transactions. He also advises on entity formation and governance, joint ventures, and partnerships, as well as general commercial contracts. Jordan was formerly a partner with Wick Phillips.
C. Shawn Cleveland represents clients in high-stakes corporate crisis situations, and he has extensive experience conducting internal investigations and defending investigations by government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. These matters have included alleged securities fraud, particularly accounting and disclosure fraud; the False Claims Act; the Anti-Kickback Statute; the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; and immigration laws. He has successfully defended clients in state and federal courts as well as in arbitration. Shawn was formerly a partner with Winston & Strawn.
Ryan D. Gorsche represents clients in a diverse array of complex M&A and other strategic and financial transactions. Additionally, he has extensive experience advising both private and public companies and private equity funds on their most important, valuable and complicated domestic and cross-border joint ventures, divestitures and carve-outs, and restructurings. Ryan was formerly a partner with Kirkland & Ellis and served as senior legal counsel at a private investment firm in Texas.
Matt Hunsaker leads BakerHostetler’s national State and Local Tax team, providing a full range of services to clients across the United States. He assists clients, particularly those with multistate operations, in litigating state tax controversies and in developing comprehensive, nationwide strategies for minimizing state and local taxes. He advises clients across a variety of industries, with an emphasis on energy, technology, media and telecommunications clients. Matt was formerly a partner with Baker Botts.
Patrick H. Rose IV focuses his practice on M&A and financing transactions. He has experience advising on transactions in the healthcare, consumer products, business services, real estate, energy, manufacturing, technology, professional services and construction industries. He also represents lenders and borrowers in various senior secured and mezzanine loans, advises issuers and investors in private securities offerings, and provides counsel on day-to-day business operations. Patrick was formerly a partner with Wick Phillips.
Robert A. Schroeder advises clients on domestic and international M&A and other significant corporate and transactional matters. He regularly provides counsel on private equity buyouts, strategic acquisitions and joint ventures and advises clients on numerous general corporate initiatives, commercial contracts, fiduciary duties and equity holder rights. Rob has extensive experience in corporate transactions in a broad range of industries, with an emphasis in the technology, manufacturing, energy, retail and service sectors. Rob was formerly a partner with Wick Phillips.
Todd J. Thorson leads the Business Group for the Dallas office. Recognized as one of the leading M&A attorneys in the Dallas area, he focuses his practice on corporate governance, capital markets, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, crisis management and shareholder activist defense. As a deal lawyer with significant securities law experience, he brings a valuable dual skill set to complex M&A work for both public and private companies. Todd was formerly a partner with Winston & Strawn.
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About BakerHostetler
Recognized as one of the top firms for client service, BakerHostetler is a leading law firm that helps clients around the world address their most complex and critical business and regulatory issues. With six core practice groups – Business, Digital Assets and Data Management, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Litigation, and Tax – the firm has nearly 1,000 lawyers located coast to coast. For more information, visit bakerlaw.com.
Contact:
Ivette Delgado, 202.861.1766 (), or Gabi Valentine, 202.861.1582 ()
