Hogan Lovells. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ NLJ

An in-house environmental litigator for Koch Industries looked to her list of outside counsel in making a recent move back to law firm work, choosing Hogan Lovells as the destination for her practice.

Jennifer Adams had been chief counsel of litigation for Koch Companies Public Sector, which provides legal services to affiliates of Koch Industries. She joined Hogan Lovells on Wednesday as a partner in Houston, as part of the environment and natural resource practice.

“I decided to go back to private practice because of a desire to have more opportunity to be in the courtroom doing what I love to do—being a trial lawyer,” Adams said.

In her role at Koch, which is one of the largest privately owned companies in the U.S., Adams led teams of lawyers focused on environmental matters, and did have the opportunity to work directly on environmental litigation—but she wanted more.

Location was another factor in Adams' decision. She said she and her family wanted to move back to Texas from Wichita, Kansas, where Koch has offices, and she talked to a number of firms. Adams said she was very familiar with Hogan Lovells and its trial team because the firm is one of Koch's preferred outside counsel.

“I've worked with a number of great firms and always had the most tremendous respect for Hogan Lovells,” she said, adding that the firm has quality lawyers who are “good people.”

Before joining Koch in 2011, Adams practiced at Baker Botts in Dallas for nine years.

Bruce Oakley, managing partner of Hogan Lovells' Houston office, said in a press release that he expects Adams' arrival “to create an immediate impact on our environmental practice in Texas.”

Adam Kushner, a co-head of the firm's environmental and natural resource practice, noted in the press release that the firm has worked with Adams for many years.

“We have witnessed first-hand Jennifer's strong work ethic and attention to detail. Jennifer has a keen sense of what's important to clients, and is a great asset to our global team,” Kushner said.

Adams has handled environmental litigation in such areas as air, water and soil disputes, indemnification issues and other environmental matters.

Koch did not immediately respond to a request for a comment on Adams' departure.