S. Priya Coffey and Michael E. Taten managing partners at Jackson Walker's Houston and Dallas offices, respectively. (Courtesy Photo)

Firm Appoints Managing Partners in Houston and Dallas

Jackson Walker announced that S. Priya Coffey and Michael E. Taten have been appointed as managing partners of the Houston and Dallas offices, respectively.

"Jackson Walker has been fortunate to have decades of strong leadership in each of our offices across Texas, and Priya and Mike are part of the next generation of those leaders," firmwide managing partner Wade Cooper said in a statement. "Under the guidance of Kurt Nondorf and David Moran, the Houston and Dallas offices have grown substantially, and our advancement over the past 10 years is just incredible. Kurt and David established a strong foundation that Priya and Mike will build upon."

A partner in the real estate practice, Coffey assists clients with complex commercial real estate transactions, including the representation of buyers and sellers in the acquisition and disposition of raw land, office buildings and retail centers, and the representation of landlords and tenants in commercial office building leases and retail leases. She earned her Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Chicago.

With her appointment, Coffey is the third woman—and the first woman of color—to serve as an office managing partner in the firm's history. Outside of her practice, Coffey serves on Jackson Walker's management and compensation committees. She is also a member of the South Asian Bar Association of Houston, the Houston chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women, and the Junior League of Houston Inc. On her appointment, Coffey said in a statement: "I am so proud and happy to serve the firm. It is my honor and privilege to work with so many of my friends and colleagues to advance the interests of the firm and our clients. We would not be where we are without extraordinary leaders like Kurt Nondorf, who have worked tirelessly to expand our client base, promote diversity and preserve the firm's culture—all reasons why I have stayed at Jackson Walker for over 20 years. I cannot thank them enough for the past years, and I am excited about the future."

Taten focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, joint ventures, executive employment and compensation arrangements, equity financing transactions, and corporate governance. His clients represent a diversity of industry sectors, including health care, manufacturing and distribution, technology and service providers. In addition to his practice, Taten has held leadership roles within the firm as a chair of the Dallas corporate and securities practice group, a three-year member of the management committee, for which he was recently reelected to serve a second term, and a member of the compensation committee. He also serves on the board of directors of the Dallas Regional Chamber. He received his J.D. from Duke University School of Law and his B.A. from Stanford University.

"Jackson Walker's culture has been foundational to our commitment to excellence in client service and our success as a firm, and it is the chief ingredient in making our office such a great place to work," Taten said in a statement. "David Moran has set a superlative example of service for all of us, and it is a privilege and an honor to follow in his footsteps. I look forward to carrying those traditions forward together with my colleagues."

Houston Firm's Partner Honored by State Bar Foundation

Reagan Simpson, a partner with law firm YetterColeman in Houston, has been honored with the Texas Bar Foundation's 2020 Gregory S. Coleman Outstanding Appellate Lawyer Award. Given in recognition of his 43 years of commitment to excellence, mentorship and professionalism, the award reflects Simpson's standing as one of the state's most highly regarded appellate practitioners. Simpson joined Yetter Coleman in 2011 to lead the firm's appellate practice.

"This is a well-deserved award with deep meaning for Yetter Coleman," said firm partner Paul Yetter in a statement, adding, "It is a fitting tribute to Reagan, who is a shining example of ethics and excellence for every litigator in Texas." Simpson will be honored in Dallas on June 26 at the Texas Bar Foundation Award Dinner, which is held in conjunction with the State Bar's annual meeting.

Dallas Attorney Appointed to DWLA Foundation Board of Directors

Paul Genender, a litigation partner at the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges and the leader of Weil's litigation practice in Dallas, has been appointed to a two-year term on the Dallas Women Lawyers Association Foundation board of directors. The DWLA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to support the mission and work of the DWLA in its efforts to elevate the standing of women in the legal profession. In 2019, the foundation funded DWLA's bar study scholarships to graduating law students who demonstrated a commitment to scholastic achievement while furthering DWLA's mission to elevate the standing of women in the legal profession. This year, the foundation board will take next steps to develop grant criteria, distribute donated funds to worthy causes in support of DWLA's mission and continue its fundraising efforts. Genender is a seasoned trial lawyer with an established track record of courtroom experience representing plaintiffs, defendants, debtors and creditors.

Beyond his client practice, Genender is involved in several of the firm's initiatives focused on diversity, inclusion and attorney advancement. Currently, he serves as co-chair of the firm's Task Force on Women's Engagement and Retention (TOWER) and sits on the firm's diversity committee.

Firm Announces New Intellectual Property Leadership

Norton Rose Fulbright announced that two Texas firm partners will assume leadership responsibilities in the firm's intellectual property practice.

Jim Repass is the new U.S. head of intellectual property. Based in Houston, Repass advises clients on IP-related aspects of business arrangements, including mergers and asset purchase acquisitions, joint ventures, joint research and development arrangements, licensing arrangements, and sales, distribution and service arrangements. He earned his J.D. from George Washington University Law School and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee. "In the U.S., our IP team provides businesses with sound advice and unmatched service, as organizations become increasingly more susceptible to intellectual property challenges," said Repass in a statement.

Alicia Morris Groos has been named U.S. head of IP brands. Practicing out of the firm's Austin office, Groos concentrates her practice on U.S. trademark and copyright law and management of domestic and international intellectual property portfolios. She also assists clients with trademark and copyright prosecution, counseling, enforcement and transactional matters, including licensing, assignments, coexistence agreements and consents. Groos received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. "Business brands are some of the most valuable intellectual property assets of our clients. It is an honor to lead our team in providing our clients with successful strategies on brand protection in both the U.S. and across the globe," Groos said in a statement.