Washington, D.C.-based intellectual property lawyer Sean Wooden has left Andrews Kurth Kenyon after almost 15 years to join Katten Muchin Rosenman—a move that will enable him to continue to practice with a team in Dallas that he worked with at Andrews Kurth for years.

Wooden joined the group of seven former Andrews Kurth partners, led by partner Mark Solomon, who departed in February to open an office in Dallas for Katten Muchin. Wooden officially started at Katten Muchin on March 1.

“I was at Andrews Kurth for 14-and-a-half years. For the vast majority of the time, I worked closely with those guys,” Wooden said. “We share some clients. I support their practice … basically providing IP counseling for them.”

Wooden said he developed a “great friendship” with the Dallas corporate group, and wants to continue to practice with them, and believes Katten Muchin is a “great place” to build his practice.

Solomon, Dallas office managing partner, said Wooden is incredibly valuable to his team.  “There is not one of our clients that doesn't rely on Sean for intellectual property advice all the time,” he said, noting that Wooden will be working with lawyers in all Katten Muchin offices, not just Dallas.

Wooden declined to identify his clients.

A spokeswoman for Andrews Kurth could not immediately be reached for comment. Houston-based Andrews Kurth will merge on April 2 with Virginia firm Hunton & Williams. A number of lawyers in Texas have left Andrews Kurth prior to the merger.