Global law firm Reed Smith today announced leadership changes in two of its Texas offices: It named Chris Watt as office managing partner (OMP) in Houston, and it made Omar Alaniz OMP of the firm’s Dallas office.
A highly experienced trial lawyer, Watt takes the reins from Ken Broughton, who served as Houston OMP since 2015. Like Broughton, Watt is an original founding member of the firm’s Houston office, which opened in February 2013 – the first of the now three offices in Texas, with openings in Austin in May 2018, and Dallas in May 2019. Watt served as co-chair of the Houston office’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee, and was the firm’s first hiring partner in Houston.
Alaniz is a respected Chapter 11 and restructuring lawyer who joined the firm in July 2020. He assumes leadership from Brian Mitchell, who has led the Dallas office since it opened four years ago. Alaniz previously served as the Dallas office’s hiring partner, and he is passionate about mentorship and cultivating the next generation of lawyers. Additionally, Alaniz is the U.S. chair of Reed Smith’s LGBTQ+ business inclusion group, PRISM.
“We have achieved great success since our Texas opening a decade ago, and I know the future of our Houston and Dallas offices are in great hands with Chris and Omar,” said Doug Cameron, Managing Partner - Americas. “We are grateful to have such brilliant, experienced, client-focused partners at the helm as we continue to build and expand in Texas.”
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