February 23, 2026
J. Holt Foster, III, managing partner of Willkie’s Dallas office, has been profiled by The Texas Lawbook in a Q&A on the success of the Dallas office and the growth of its market-leading capabilities in key industries, including private equity and energy.
Holt noted that launching the Dallas office and growing it into a destination for both clients and talent has been a highlight of his 30-year career. Since its inception in 2024, the office has steadily expanded across core practice areas including private equity, M&A, real estate, and energy. It has also built-out its physical presence, moving into state-of-the-art space at The QUAD in September 2025 and recently adding a second floor, creating capacity for more than 90 attorneys.
“It’s so exciting to see the strong team we have been able to assemble in one of the most competitive legal markets in the country,” Holt told The Texas Lawbook. “We are already at 30 lawyers, which is very impressive considering we were at zero less than two years ago. To be clear, we are just getting started.”
Willkie’s Houston office, launched in 2014 and led by partner Archie Fallon, has also played a key role in the success of the firm’s Texas platform. Both offices have welcomed high profile laterals across numerous practices and promoted from within, including four partner elections in 2026: Erin Kaufman, Joe Laurel, Omar Shariff, and Christian Truman.
Holt also discussed current trends in the energy and private equity spaces, including the demand for financing and development of data centers, and highlighted the firm’s premier digital infrastructure practice in an accelerating, AI-driven industry.
“Willkie has true market-leading capability that touches every aspect of the data center value chain—from real estate to commercial contracts, to energy expertise, to the complicated JV structuring and sophisticated tax planning and everything in between,” Holt said.
He then reflected on his dedication to the practice of law and shared advice for junior attorneys. Holt underscored the importance of taking the time to master your craft, developing deep technical knowledge of the law as well as business acumen, in order to offer sound judgment to clients and colleagues alike.
“When clients and partners see you as indispensable, you put yourself in the strongest possible position to attract, retain, and grow lasting client relationships,” Holt shared.
Read the full Q&A profile in The Texas Lawbook here.
Holt noted that launching the Dallas office and growing it into a destination for both clients and talent has been a highlight of his 30-year career. Since its inception in 2024, the office has steadily expanded across core practice areas including private equity, M&A, real estate, and energy. It has also built-out its physical presence, moving into state-of-the-art space at The QUAD in September 2025 and recently adding a second floor, creating capacity for more than 90 attorneys.
“It’s so exciting to see the strong team we have been able to assemble in one of the most competitive legal markets in the country,” Holt told The Texas Lawbook. “We are already at 30 lawyers, which is very impressive considering we were at zero less than two years ago. To be clear, we are just getting started.”
Willkie’s Houston office, launched in 2014 and led by partner Archie Fallon, has also played a key role in the success of the firm’s Texas platform. Both offices have welcomed high profile laterals across numerous practices and promoted from within, including four partner elections in 2026: Erin Kaufman, Joe Laurel, Omar Shariff, and Christian Truman.
Holt also discussed current trends in the energy and private equity spaces, including the demand for financing and development of data centers, and highlighted the firm’s premier digital infrastructure practice in an accelerating, AI-driven industry.
“Willkie has true market-leading capability that touches every aspect of the data center value chain—from real estate to commercial contracts, to energy expertise, to the complicated JV structuring and sophisticated tax planning and everything in between,” Holt said.
He then reflected on his dedication to the practice of law and shared advice for junior attorneys. Holt underscored the importance of taking the time to master your craft, developing deep technical knowledge of the law as well as business acumen, in order to offer sound judgment to clients and colleagues alike.
“When clients and partners see you as indispensable, you put yourself in the strongest possible position to attract, retain, and grow lasting client relationships,” Holt shared.
Read the full Q&A profile in The Texas Lawbook here.
