Darrell Armer, Gray Reed & McGraw's managing partner in Dallas (courtesy photo)

Darrell Armer, a partner in Gray Reed & McGraw's Dallas office who has practiced there for most of his career, is the new managing partner of the office as of Wednesday.

Armer, a transactional lawyer with a focus on the health care industry, is also leader of the firm's health care transactions practice group. He joined the firm as an associate in 1996, and has served on its executive committee and board of directors.

The new office head said his goal is to ensure the firm continues as a "leader for midmarket clients" in Dallas and Texas.

Over the next year, Armer said he would like to add some transactional lawyers to the office through lateral hiring. He acknowledged the Dallas lateral market has been very competitive for the last few years.

"We've got a long history of very measured growth and my belief is that if you are doing your job in terms of effectively and efficiently serving your clients, then you will naturally grow organically," he said.

Armer succeeds partner Andrew Meyercord, who took on the Dallas office management role in 2016. He continues to serve on the firm's executive committee and as transactional department chairman.

Meyercord said in a press release that the office is in good hands with Armer at the helm.

Gray Reed has 142 lawyers among its offices in Dallas, Houston and Waco. The Dallas office is home to 67 of them.