Chris Flood, a well-known Houston white-collar crime defense attorney, has left the firm where he practiced with his two brothers for almost two decades to join Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in Houston.

Flood, who officially joined Orrick on Dec. 1, had practiced at Flood & Flood with his two brothers, Charles Flood in Houston and John Flood in Corpus Christi.

Chris Flood said Orrick will provide him with the opportunity to not only build his white-collar crime defense work, but also his Latin American client base. He said he has handled litigation for individuals and companies from Mexico who have cross-border problems or matters in the United States, and also represents high-profile Mexican citizens who have come to the United States because of political charges and have successfully fought extradition.

Flood said he began to consider a move to Orrick after some conversations with Carlos Treistman, who is a friend and also heads Orrick's Houston office and is co-head of the firm's Latin America team.

“We were talking about it one day and we decided there were synergies,” Flood said.

Flood has handled dozens of trials in federal courts around the country, according to a statement from Orrick, and his clients have included numerous executives accused of crimes in the Enron and Stanford Financial scandals, energy traders accused of manipulating the price of natural gas, and defendants in the largest Internet gambling prosecution.

“Orrick was the right fit. Until I became familiar with them, I didn't think I would be interested in a big-firm practice,” Flood said.

Treistman said Flood will be an “enormous asset” to Orrick's clients in Texas, nationwide and in Latin America.

Walt Brown, head of Orrick's white-collar, investigations, securities litigation and compliance group, said Flood is a “terrific addition” to the firm's white-collar crime defense practice.

John Flood, Chris Flood's brother and former partner, said he couldn't be happier for his brother.

“I don't know anybody at that Orrick firm, but they are very lucky people,” John Flood said. “He is a great guy and an incredible lawyer.”

John Flood said Flood & Flood has not had younger lawyers for several years, and he expects his brother to enjoy teaching associates while at his new firm.

John Flood said he and Charles Flood will continue to practice together at Flood & Flood.

California-based Orrick, which opened its office in Houston in January 2016, now has 41 lawyers there.