Phelps Expands in Dallas with Elite Financial Litigation Team

DALLAS, TX – May 01, 2026 – In a significant move underscoring the intense competition in the Dallas-Fort Worth legal market, AmLaw-ranked firm Phelps has added a five-lawyer financial services litigation team, establishing a new office in Uptown Dallas. The group, comprising the core talent from the former boutique litigation firm Johnston Clem Gifford, represents a strategic play to deepen Phelps' capabilities in one of the nation's fastest-growing financial hubs.

The team, led by new partners Kenneth C. Johnston and Robert W. Gifford, brings a formidable reputation for handling sophisticated business disputes for banks, lenders, and corporate clients. They are joined by P. Blaine Grant, Kodie Bennion, and Catherine Gaither, who come aboard as counsel. This expansion is not merely an acquisition of talent but the absorption of a proven, cohesive unit known for navigating the full lifecycle of complex litigation.

DFW's Legal Gold Rush

Phelps’ investment is a direct response to the economic boom transforming North Texas into a legal and financial powerhouse. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex has become a magnet for corporate headquarters, with over 100 companies relocating to the region in recent years. Its status as the nation's second-largest financial services employment hub, trailing only New York, has created unprecedented demand for high-stakes legal counsel. The recent establishment of the Texas Business Courts, designed to fast-track complex commercial cases, has only intensified the need for specialized litigators.

This competitive environment has turned DFW into a battleground for top legal talent. Phelps' move is a clear signal of its intent to be a dominant force in the region.

“The addition of this accomplished team brings deep complex commercial litigation experience to Phelps—including significant strength in the financial services sector—and enhances our capabilities across Texas and the larger Firm,” said Marshall Redmon, Phelps’ managing partner, in a statement. He emphasized the strategic value of the move, noting it “strengthens the connectivity among our Dallas, Southlake and Fort Worth offices, creating a unified DFW presence.” For clients, Redmon added, this translates to “greater access to seasoned litigators with the depth and range to handle their most complex disputes.”

The Boutique-to-Big-Law Migration

The transition of the Johnston Clem Gifford team to a large, multi-state firm like Phelps reflects a broader trend in the legal industry. Specialized boutique firms, while nimble, often face limitations in scale and resources. By joining a larger platform, elite practice groups can leverage a national footprint, deeper technological infrastructure, and a wider array of practice areas to better serve their clients.

This dynamic was a key driver behind the move. The team had built a highly respected litigation platform, but the opportunity to plug into Phelps' extensive network was a compelling proposition for accelerating their practice.

“This move is about execution for our clients,” Kenneth C. Johnston stated, speaking on behalf of the group. “We’ve built a proven litigation platform, and Phelps brings the depth, reach, and infrastructure—backed by more than 150 years of service —to deliver results at the highest level.”

For the clients of the former boutique, the move offers the dual benefit of continuity with their trusted legal advisors and access to the comprehensive services of a full-service firm. This integration allows the team to handle not just the immediate litigation but also related matters in areas like bankruptcy, regulatory compliance, and transactional law, all under one roof.

A Strategic Infusion of Litigation Firepower

The new team brings a potent mix of experience that significantly enhances Phelps' litigation capabilities. Kenneth C. Johnston is a well-regarded litigator known for advising financial institutions on high-exposure disputes, regulatory frameworks, and insolvency matters. His track record includes successfully defending a qui tam complaint involving a $16 billion loan portfolio and steering an energy company out of involuntary bankruptcy.

Robert W. Gifford complements this with a strong practice representing plaintiffs—often businesses and financial institutions—seeking to recover losses from fraud and other commercial misconduct. His notable successes include securing a favorable jury verdict in a federal Medicare fraud case and winning a trial victory in a nine-figure real estate partnership dispute.

The three new counsel members add further depth. P. Blaine Grant is a veteran trial lawyer with experience in "bet the company" class actions across industries from energy to real estate. Kodie Bennion focuses on resolving complex business conflicts for investors and equity holders, with a record of securing favorable settlements and court victories. Catherine Gaither, an appellate specialist and assistant clinical professor at SMU Dedman School of Law, fortifies the team's ability to handle cases through trial and appeal, with deep experience before the Fifth Circuit and Texas appellate courts.

This combined expertise positions Phelps to handle the most intricate financial and commercial disputes, from loan enforcement and consumer protection claims to corporate governance battles and distressed asset litigation.

Phelps' Calculated Texas Expansion

This Dallas expansion is a key piece of Phelps' broader growth strategy across what it calls the "Third Coast"—the arc of states from Texas through the Gulf South and up to the Carolinas. The firm has been methodically strengthening its presence in key Texas markets to meet rising client demand.

Recent moves include bolstering its Austin office with talent from the U.S. Department of Justice and expanding its health care practice. The firm also previously expanded its condemnation and eminent domain practice in Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. This latest addition of a premier financial litigation group in Dallas is the firm's most assertive step yet to capture a larger share of the state's lucrative legal market.

By integrating a team with deep roots and an established client base in the financial sector, the 150-year-old firm is not just planting a flag; it is embedding itself deeply into the fabric of the Texas business community. The move enhances its ability to serve leading financial institutions in lending, restructuring, and government investigations, complementing its existing strengths and creating a more formidable presence in the competitive Texas landscape.