DALLAS—September 1, 2021—Continuing its expansion in Texas, O’Melveny announced today the arrival of Chambers-ranked trial lawyer Timothy S. Durst as a partner in the firm’s new Dallas office, a press release states.
Formerly the partner-in-charge of Baker Botts’s Dallas office, Durst leads Fortune 500 companies through complex, high-stakes disputes. He has taken to trial a wide range of cases, including patent, trade-secrets, contract, fraud, and fiduciary-duty disputes. Durst has handled litigation in more than 20 states and before arbitration panels and investigative authorities.
Leading companies in the technology, telecommunications, financial services, energy, manufacturing, consumer products, software, and food and beverage industries regularly turn to Durst to handle their most pressing litigation challenges. His work has included representing AT&T and Samsung in intellectual property cases, and Shell and Fluor in other commercial cases. At O’Melveny, he will continue his high-profile litigation practice as a member of the firm’s General Litigation and Intellectual Property & Technology practice groups.
“As we continue to build our Texas presence, we’re delighted to welcome Tim to our Dallas team,” said O’Melveny Chair Bradley J. Butwin. “He is a nationally recognized, seasoned trial lawyer whose practice fits perfectly with our clients’ needs and our firmwide strategy. His proven leadership inside and outside the courtroom will also be valuable to our partners and associates as we continue to expand in Texas.”
“O’Melveny is well known for our deep, firmwide trial capability and we are delighted to welcome Tim in this important geography for trial work,” said Daniel Petrocelli, Chair of O’Melveny’s Trial Practice and a Vice Chair of the firm. “He brings a distinguished record of success advocating for clients in their most important matters. His focus on teamwork and collaboration also makes him a strong fit with our firm culture.”
O’Melveny first opened in Texas in June, establishing offices in Austin and Dallas. Durst joins a Dallas team that includes former Norton Rose Fulbright partners Louis Strubeck Jr., Scott Paul Drake, Douglas Wabner, and Gregory Wilkes. O’Melveny’s new Austin office is led by four Chambers-ranked lawyers formerly of Thompson & Knight: partners Phillip Oldham, Katie Coleman, and Benjamin Hallmark and senior counsel Rex VanMiddlesworth.
“I’m honored to join O’Melveny’s world-class litigation team and proud to be part of the firm’s bold expansion into Texas,” said Durst. “O’Melveny has a rare culture that lives up to its values of uncompromising excellence, distinctive leadership, and superior citizenship. That spirit of cooperation and teamwork leads to better client service and also makes the practice of law more enjoyable and rewarding. I know that the clients I’m privileged to represent will benefit from the firm’s impressive platform and collaborative culture.”
Chambers USA recognized Durst as one of Texas’s top litigators, noting that his clients consider him “a top lawyer" with “an excellent reputation.” And D Magazine named Durst to its “Dallas 500,” which lists the most influential business leaders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
An active member of the Dallas business community, Durst also gives back through an active pro bono practice and as a community service leader. He is a member of several community and professional groups, including the Dallas Citizens Council, has chaired the national board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and has been recognized by the Center for Non-Profit Management in Dallas as Non-Profit Board Leader of the Year.
Durst earned his B.A. in political science and communication arts summa cum laude from Washburn University in Topeka and his J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law.