From Solo to Global: UK Firm HFW Launches US Immigration Practice in Houston
Houston solo practitioner Denise McGettrick joined Holman Fenwick & Willan in hopes of expanding her startup-focused practice to one that serves corporate clients worldwide.
April 09, 2020 at 03:00 PM
2 minute read
Denise McGettrick of HFW in Houston/courtesy photo
Holman Fenwick & Willan, a U.K. firm whose sole U.S. office is in Houston, has brought on a Houston lawyer to lead its newly launched U.S. immigration practice.
Houston solo practitioner Denise McGettrick who joined HFW this month, will serve clients across the Global 200 law firm.
"It's one of the few things that we didn't have globally. It's part of our expansion plan here in the states in order to become a full-service firm," said Jerry Kimmitt, head of the Houston office.
"If somebody in our Geneva office has a client who has some immigration issues in the states, she [McGettrick] can handle it," Kimmitt said.
McGettrick joined the firm as an associate, along with two paralegals from her solo practice at McGettrick Law. While managing that firm, McGettrick was also chief legal officer for PassRight, a company that helps foreign nationals obtain 0-1 visas, which are for people with extraordinary ability.
The firm has needed an immigration practice in Houston for a while, Kimmitt said, because it was frequently referring that work to other firms. The Houston office opened in 2017 by merging with Houston trial firm Legge, Farrow, Kimmitt, McGrath & Brown, and its other practice areas include oil and gas, shipping, and energy.
McGettrick said she has primarily done work for Silicon Valley technology companies. She moved to HFW with hopes of expanding her practice by working for corporate clients using the same "out-of-the-box" thinking she applied to startups, she said.
She declined to identify her clients, but according to the firm, they include entities in the information technology, oil and gas, energy, engineering, financial services, retail, arts, media, education, medical and professional sports industries.
Kimmitt said HFW plans to add additional immigration lawyers in Houston as the practice "balloons." There will be room in the office, Kimmitt said, noting that the firm, currently with 26 lawyers in Houston, has recently taken on more space.
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