Baker Botts Announces Litigation Department Management Change

HOUSTON, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker Botts L.L.P. partner David Sterling has been named chair of the Litigation department, the firm announced today.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130319/DA79321)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120831/MM66344LOGO)

Sterling assumes management of the department from Robb Voyles who has been department chair since March 2005. Voyles will remain a member of the firm's Executive Committee and will continue full time with his commercial litigation practice. Litigation partner Jennifer Smith remains deputy department chair.

Sterling has a national reputation in securities and mergers and acquisition litigation. Since joining the firm in 1984, he has represented companies and their officers and directors in securities class actions, mergers and acquisition litigation, derivative suits, and actions alleging breach of fiduciary duties. He has handled many of the leading securities cases in the Fifth Circuit and has argued a securities class action in the U.S. Supreme Court. He has chaired the firm's securities litigation practice section since May 2010.

"David's wealth of experience representing clients in critical situations in a wide array of federal and state proceedings prepares him to take on the challenge of maintaining the world-class level our litigation practice has reached during Robb's tenure," said Baker Botts Managing Partner Andrew Baker. "Under Robb's watch our litigation practice has been recognized for its excellence by publications such as The American Lawyer, Chambers Global, Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Global Arbitration Review and Global Competition Review."

Voyles played a large part in expanding Baker Botts' antitrust practice with the recruitment and hiring of nearly 40 former Howrey lawyers in March 2011. He also helped orchestrate the opening of the firm's Brussels office last fall to continue growing the firm's antitrust and competition law practice in a key European market.

Sterling has been named one of the top 100 lawyers in Texas and has been ranked in Band 1 in Securities Litigation by Chambers in each of the last seven years. He graduated with honors from The University of Texas School of Law where he was a member of the Texas Law Review, and he earned his undergraduate degree from Williams College.

"I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to make certain our clients are well-represented in any and every venue as they deal with the ever-increasing complex legal issues of today's global economy," Sterling said.

About Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts is an international law firm of approximately 725 lawyers practicing throughout a network of 14 offices around the globe. Based on our experience and knowledge of our clients' industries, we are recognized as a leading firm in the energy, technology and life sciences sectors. Throughout our 173-year history, we have provided creative and effective legal solutions for our clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit www.bakerbotts.com.

Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.