Foregoing the industry trend of shrinking nameplates, Houston trial firm Fernelius Simon has changed its name to Fernelius Simon Mace Robertson Perdue after hiring partner Robert Mace late last year.

The firm now has five lawyers, all of whom are name partners.

Partner Stephen Fernelius said that while large firms may do well with short names, he believes it's good for a small trial firm to identify each of the partners in the name.

“It's important for our clients and others to know the talent we have, and I do think it's helpful to be a name partner in a firm,” said Fernelius, who founded the firm nine years ago.

Fernelius said that with Mace joining the firm, it made sense to add him to the firm's name, and at the same time add the names of the other partners, C. Brannon Robertson and Ryan Perdue.

Mace joined Fernelius Simon on Nov. 30, coming from Houston trial firm Taylor, Book, Allen & Morris, but the name change was not effective until Jan. 1.

Mace said he's known Fernelius for many years, going back to the time they practiced together at Fulbright & Jaworski, now Norton Rose Fulbright.

“We've always had it in the back our our minds to start a firm,” Mace said.

Mace said his clients include Valero and Exxon Mobil, but he also does work for property tax firms, small companies and individuals.

Fernelius Simon's litigation clients include BP, ConocoPhillips, LyondellBasell and Valero and smaller companies and individuals, Fernelius said. The firm also does plaintiff's contingency-fee work.

“We are kind of versatile,” Fernelius said, adding that Mace brought a lot of experience to the firm, particularly in the toxic torts area.

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