Press Release
Source: Texas Lawbook
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Taina Rosa, Olivia Thomas
05.22.25
Pillsbury has been named one of the “Magnificent Seven” law firms by Texas Lawbook, a recognition awarded to the seven firms headquartered outside the state that have achieved the most significant growth over the past year. The distinction is based on both headcount and revenue generation, and reflects the firm’s strategic expansion efforts, and continued strong performance, in Texas.
The seven international law firms acknowledged by Texas Lawbook were collectively credited with increasing their Texas headcount by 24% and generating a combined $1.8 billion in revenue. Based on available data, the publication ranked Pillsbury fourth in headcount growth and fifth by revenue. The recognition follows a prior Texas Lawbook report that identified Pillsbury as the third fastest-growing law firm in Texas overall.
Pillsbury’s expansion has been driven by a series of important lateral additions that span both its Austin and Houston offices. Over the past year, the firm has introduced a number of notable Texas additions, including Emerging Companies & Venture Capital partner Andy Smetana and counsel Margarita Kelrikh; energy and construction litigation partner Derrick Carson; cross-border disputes partner Amy Ruhland; commercial litigation counsel Ryan Sullivan; and the trio of high-profile corporate lawyers Daniel Belhumeur, Blake Berkey and Frank Xue, who enhance the firm’s Corporate, Energy, and Commercial Transactions practices.
As part of its broader investment in Texas, Pillsbury relocated to new, larger offices in both Austin and Houston in 2024. These upgraded spaces are designed to better support the firm’s growing teams and to enhance service delivery for clients in core practice areas.
Pillsbury’s Austin office represents both emerging and established companies, offering a comprehensive suite of services to address a wide range of needs. The team focuses on company formation and venture financing, intellectual property protection and enforcement, development and marketing of technology products and services, licensing arrangements, procurement of technology products and services, commercial disputes and a full suite of corporate matters, including M&A and public financings. Drawing on the global skillset of its colleagues, the Austin office provides tailored solutions that support clients at every stage of their business journey.
The firm’s Houston office is known for providing legal counsel to Fortune 500 clients, primarily in the energy, natural resources, real estate and construction sectors and brings the same level of client service to engagements with startups and growing middle-market firms. Its well-regarded group of lawyers includes top practitioners in areas such as energy, construction and commercial litigation, environmental law, insolvency & restructuring, insurance coverage, real estate, international arbitration, corporate transactions, project financing and emerging companies/venture capital.