Blank Rome opened a new office in Dallas, marking the firm’s 15th office overall and second in Texas. To open the new office, Blank Rome added seven attorneys with experience in the corporate, real estate and finance realms, including: Steven R. Block, Jason S. Luter, Mark W. Harris, Justin G. Mapes, Christopher M. McNeill, Michael B. Thimmig and Robert C. Davidson.

Block joined as co-chair of the Dallas office and will be a partner in the corporate, M&A and securities group for the firm. Block joined Blank Rome from Block & McNeill. Luter also will serve as co-chair of the Dallas office and a partner in the corporate, M&A and securities group for the firm. Luter joined Blank Rome from Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath.

Harris joined Blank Rome as a partner in its finance group from Alston Bird and Mapes joined as a partner in the real estate group from Locke Lord. McNeill joined as a partner in Blank Rome’s corporate, M&A and securities group from Block & McNeill, while Thimmig joined as a partner in the finance group from Alston Bird and Davidson joined as an associate in the corporate, M&A and securities group from Block & McNeil.

“Dallas is a vibrant and thriving business community and we are thrilled to open an office here and bring together such an outstanding group of attorneys to launch our efforts,” Grant Palmer, chair and managing partner of Blank Rome, said. “Establishing an office in Dallas has been a strategic priority of our firm for some time to better serve our clients who are based in or do business in Dallas and north Texas. We have been committed to entering the market with a team of leading corporate, real estate and finance attorneys who not only have exceptional experience and reputations locally and nationally but also fit together as a cohesive and collaborative team. We are excited about Blank Rome’s future in Dallas with our new colleagues and are looking forward to continued growth.”

“There is a remarkable alignment among the six partners who are launching Blank Rome in Dallas,” Block said. “Each of us was seeking an opportunity to expand our practices on a national platform with comprehensive service offerings to better serve our clients. And to be able to do this while opening a new office for Blank Rome in a city that we all love is an incredible opportunity. But most importantly, we were all drawn to the quality of our new colleagues throughout the firm. They are great people and top-notch attorneys who are truly committed to the success of their clients and one another. We are looking forward to collaborating with everyone at our new firm.”

“It was clear to all of us that Blank Rome fully understands and appreciates the strategic importance of Dallas to its successful national footprint and is committed to growing in the market,” Luter said. “With so many of the nation’s leading private equity firms, family offices, commercial banks and consumer credit companies based here, there is strong demand for high-level finance, real estate and corporate legal counsel. Blank Rome has built an incredible reputation in these areas, and we are excited to work with our colleagues across the firm’s offices, practices and industries to support our clients and build the office.”

The Dallas office is Blank Rome’s second location in Texas. The firm established its first Texas office in Houston in 2010. Bolstered by combinations with Abrams Scott & Bickley in 2011, Bell Ryniker & Letourneau in 2013 and Wong Cabello in 2015, the office today consists of 40 attorneys covering corporate, litigation, finance and restructuring, intellectual property, maritime, and labor and employment law.

“We are very excited to welcome the new Dallas team to the firm,” Cassandra Mott, partner and co-chair of Blank Rome’s Houston office, said. “They are a tremendous group of attorneys, and their experience aligns with our strengths; reinforces our corporate, finance, and real estate practices both in Texas and nationwide; and complements our strong transactional and litigation teams in Houston. Our expanded strategic presence in Texas further strengthens our capabilities in the state and the service we can provide to our clients locally and throughout the country. We look forward to working with our new colleagues.”