Technology: Outsourcing: Texas

THE FIRM Jones Day is renowned for its work on the vendor side, but also skillfully handles customer-side transactions. The Dallas-based outsourcing team comprises two partners and five other lawyers who facilitate service agreements for clients from a range of industries including financial services, healthcare and automotive. The group handles deals with an international dimension with ease, thanks to the firm's worldwide network of resources.

Sources say: "The firm has grown globally but has managed to retain the quality of a local firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Sources describe of counsel Patrick Toher as "a terrific lawyer." He recently worked with Pier 1 Imports to negotiate an agreement relating to web-based services and software.

Since publication, Jason D Krieser and Shawn C Helms have joined K&L Gates

THE FIRM K&L Gates has a strong presence in Texas, with offices in Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. The team further benefits from the firm's impressive global resources. The firm's outsourcing group forms part of its outsourcing and commercial transactions practice, negotiating services agreements and other corporate contracts for a broad range of clients from a variety of industries. The firm has historically been involved in some of the largest outsourcing deals on behalf of both customers and vendors.

Sources say: "A highly respected and original outsourcing firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Star lawyer John Howell commands respect from interviewees who call him “the dean of outsourcing," adding: "He is extremely good at technology work and has been doing outsourcing work longer than anybody else in the industry." He has been responsible for the negotiating and restructuring of an array of outsourcing deals as well as other business arrangements. Todd Fisher is a well-respected technology lawyer. He has recently worked for some prestigious clients including on a $4.5 billion transaction for Ericsson, and he also completed a multi-tower IT and business process outsourcing for HP. Sources report Chad King is making waves in the outsourcing marketplace. He also has a healthy transactional practice and recently represented Parkland Health & Hospital System in connection with a multi-tower IT infrastructure agreement. He also facilitated the restructuring of an asset management offering agreement for Travelport. Interviewees rave about David Guedry: "He is absolutely phenomenal. We often end up in a win-win situation, even when that didn't seem to be possible." He recently joined the team from Jones Day.

A new arrival from Jones Day, Jason Krieser is noted for his high visibility in the Texas market. He focuses his practice on creating business process and IT agreements, also with offshore aspects. Shawn Helms lateraled with Krieser and was recently promoted to partner.

THE FIRM Baker Botts' talented outsourcing team represents both customers and suppliers of services. The group is experienced in assisting in complex business process transactions such as call center operations, learning services, publishing services and electronic securities. Further expertise includes IT outsourcing transactions, such as infrastructure, e-commerce and web development. The firm represents clients from a number of technology-focused industries - notably including Accenture, Dell and Perot Systems.

Sources say: "This is a very well-regarded law firm, working on some large outsourcing deals."

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Martin is renowned for his expertise in the technology industry. He is skilled in handling outsourcing transactions as well as M&A and other general corporate matters. Jordan Herman earns praise from sources for his growing practice. He recently assisted a global management company, acting as a service provider, in its competitive pursuit of a large business-process service agreement. Brian Henchey has earned the respect of observers for his work in larger outsourcing transactions. He has recently been involved in an IT outsourcing with a global provider worth $25 million. Henchey has also worked on a business-process publishing contract with a value of $60 million. Sarah Rechter is recognized by sources for her general corporate expertise, which she lends to her outsourcing work. Rechter’s recent work highlights include representing a healthcare information services company on its purchase of cloud computing services.

THE FIRM Fulbright & Jaworski's Dallas-based team focuses on representing both suppliers and customers of outsourced services. The firm’s attorneys are equipped to deal with transactions with an information technology focus as well as representing clients in business service agreements.

Sources say: "Good senior lawyers who know a lot about technology."

THE FIRM Haynes and Boone's Dallas office is home to nine dedicated outsourcing lawyers, who can also draw from cross-departmental resources. The team undertakes both IT and business-process outsourcing work and facilitates agreements that range from one service to large-scale multi-tower arrangements.

Sources say: "This firm has a wealth of technology expertise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of the firm’s technology practice group, Randy Colson is known for his transactional practice and represents both customers and service providers in outsourcing transactions. Recent work highlights include assisting Hess Corporation in a number of business process agreements.

THE FIRM Thompson & Knight’s Texan outsourcing group continues to be an active presence in the market. The group benefits from the firm's global reach and offers extensive expertise in the technology and energy sectors. The team is equipped to negotiate the full range of outsourcing transactions, including data center and mainframe services, as well as energy production and call center services, among others.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Andrews’ outsourcing practice is praised by sources. Working with clients from a range of industries including energy, financial services, manufacturing and communications, he facilitates both domestic and offshore IT and business-process agreements.

THE FIRM Vinson & Elkins’ Texan outsourcing practice group is spread across its Dallas and Houston offices. The group consists of three partners and two associates who represent both vendors and purchasers of IT and business services. The firm specializes in the negotiation of service agreements as well as advising when existing outsourcings are subject to regulatory pressure or business relationship tensions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Houston-based lawyer Edward Stockbridge has a varied practice which includes corporate technology deals as well as outsourcing. He recently assisted on a number of large IT service agreements with offshore elements.