Lisa L. Pittman (L) joins Coats Rose's Austin office and will co-chair the firm's cannabis business law practice with Andrea Steel (R), director in the firm's Houston office. (Courtesy photos)

Attorney Joins Houston Firm to Co-Chair Its Cannabis Practice

Coats Rose announced the addition of Lisa L. Pittman to the firm's Austin office. Pittman's pioneering work in the cannabis business industry in Texas has earned her the title, "The First Lady of Texas Cannabis Law." Her practice is focused on hemp and cannabis business planning and compliance, as well as commercial litigation. Pittman is also licensed in Colorado, where she spent the last couple of years gaining experience in a legalized market, working on projects in multiple states in this capacity. Coats Rose launched its multidisciplinary cannabis business law practice last year, after hemp was legalized in Texas. Pittman will co-chair the group along with Andrea Steel, director in the firm's Houston office. The addition of Pittman to the group strengthens its reach, as she brings experience from across the supply chain in multiple jurisdictions, as well as a loyal following. "I am thrilled to join Coats Rose, where I will be able to fully service my clients with the assistance of multiple experts in their field, as every area of traditional law practice is implicated in the cannabis industry," said Pittman in a statement by the firm. "While my location in Austin grants me valuable access to the Capitol and the agencies governing Texas hemp, practicing at a well-respected firm with multiple offices will also be a convenient resource for my clients, and I look forward to combining forces with Andrea Steel, who is just as committed to moving the ball forward on these cutting edge issues as I am." "We are ecstatic to have Lisa join in leading our cannabis business law practice," said Steel in a statement. "Lisa has been a motivation and inspiration to me since I first considered expanding my practice into this area years ago. To work hand in hand leading the way with another trailblazer who is also a woman and a mother, especially in a new industry still in its infancy, is not to be taken lightly. Lisa is a true leader, and joining forces allows us to achieve our shared goals more effectively and with greater resources." "Together, we have significant relationships among the experts and leaders in industry, government, and the legal profession," continued Steel. "In collaboration with attorneys in the group and within our firm, we are able to serve as the legal resource that clients need as they navigate the hemp market in Texas."

New Partner at Dallas Office

Robert Flowers recently joined Stinson LLP's Dallas office as a partner, expanding the firm's banking and financial services practice to Texas. Flowers represents commercial banks, holding companies and other financial institutions in mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning, employee benefits and employee stock ownership (ESOP) matters. Notably, Flowers represented the first de novo bank to file an application in the Dallas-Fort Worth market since 2008, with the filing of an application in December 2019. He also leverages his experience to support clients in the design, implementation and administration of non-qualified retirement and compensation arrangements, including Code section 409A, and has advised on ERISA matters, tax and corporate law requirements and the impact of M&A transactions on employee compensation. "Stinson's strong banking practice and breadth of experience really appealed to me, as did the firm's values of client service and community engagement," said Flowers in a statement by the firm. "I'm excited to be here and to engage with clients, attorneys and staff from across Stinson's national footprint and beyond." "We're excited that Robert joined us at Stinson because of the corporate, securities and M&A experience he can provide to our clients in Dallas and nationally," said Dallas managing partner Paul Lackey in a statement by the firm. "He's a fantastic addition and highly skilled in corporate and regulatory banking transactions as well as employee benefits matters."

Two Join Houston Firm's Labor and Employment Practice as Partners

Akerman LLP, a law firm serving clients across the Americas, announced the growth of its labor and employment practice group in Texas with the addition of partners Cary Farris and John Linker to the firm. The team, who joins from Winstead PC, where Farris served as chair of the labor, employment and immigration practice group, will practice in the firm's Houston office. Farris and Linker, both board-certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, are experienced in resolving complex employment matters and class action cases. Farris focuses his practice on defending businesses in all aspects of labor and employment matters, including discrimination and harassment class actions, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) cases, wage and hour cases, government agency audits, and collective bargaining negotiations. Linker focuses his practice on defending businesses of all sizes in matters involving wrongful terminations, union organizing, breach of employment contract matters, unfair labor practice charges, discrimination and harassment claims, ADA and FMLA compliance, and wage and hour issues. He also represents clients in investigations by government enforcement agencies, such as the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Department of Labor, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He has experience litigating labor and employment-related matters in state and federal courts and manages complex employment matters and class-action cases around the country. "Our practice continues to expand and reflect our growing client base and their evolving needs," said labor and employment practice group chair Eric Gordon in a statement by the firm. "Cary and John are well-respected litigators whose work and experience help strengthen our offering to employers nationally."

Attorney Rejoins Dallas Firm as Associate

Attorney Scott Delaney recently rejoined the Dallas office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges as an associate in the firm's corporate department. He previously had worked at Weil from 2017-2018 and is rejoining after working at Kirkland & Ellis. Delaney's practice focuses on private equity investments and M&A transactions, with a particular focus on the energy sector. His transactional experience includes representing private equity sponsors, their portfolio companies and other public and private company clients in upstream and midstream oil and gas acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and other investments. He also advises clients on general corporate matters, including operating and commercial contract matters. Prior to beginning his legal career, Delaney worked for five years in the finance and accounting department of one of the nation's largest oil and gas companies. Delaney earned his J.D. from The University of Oklahoma College of Law, with Order of the Coif recognition. While in law school, he was the executive articles editor of the Oklahoma Law Review. He previously completed his M.B.A. in corporate finance and investment management, and his B.B.A. in finance, at The University of Oklahoma.