In February 2018, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher will move into new quarters in Houston, more than doubling its current square footage in the city. The 1,200-lawyer firm needs the extra space because it plans to bulk up on associate hires in Houston in the coming months, according to Michael Darden, the partner in charge of the office and chair of Gibson Dunn's oil and gas practice group.

The Houston office, which opened earlier this year when Gibson Dunn poached a half-dozen partners from Baker Botts, will move into 55,000 square feet in one of the city's most prominent downtown buildings, 811 Main St., Darden said.

The office currently has 13 lawyers, including eight partners and five associates.