Partner announces move to Simpson Thacher, then changes his mind
Vinson & Elkins partner Douglas McWilliams has changed his mind about a planned move to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.
A capital markets and M&A partner in Houston, McWilliams announced the lateral move earlier this month, then told Texas Lawbook a week later that he had changed his mind. The Am Law Daily and Above the Law note the story, reprinted by FuelFix.
“Simpson Thacher is a great law firm that offered a national brand and a national practice that was extremely enticing,” McWilliams told Texas Lawbook. “But I had not gotten a single good night’s sleep since I decided to leave. I underestimated the personal relationships I have here at V&E.”
McWilliams said he returned to Vinson & Elkins from a Utah ski trip and saw his office being packed for the move. McWilliams decided to ask if he could stay.
Vinson & Elkins chairman Mark Kelly told Texas Lawbook that “Doug is a fine lawyer” and “of course” he could stay at the firm.
Vinson & Elkins partner Jeff Malonson was planning to leave Vinson & Elkins for Simpson Thacher along with McWilliams. The blog was unable to confirm whether Malonson would still be joining Simpson Thacher. He did not ask to return to Vinson & Elkins, the firm told Above the Law in a statement.
