Hughes & Luce Llp

For many long-time residents and legal professionals across Texas, the name Hughes & Luce LLP resonates with a rich history of legal excellence in Dallas. While the firm, as a standalone entity, is no longer in operation – having notably merged with the global legal powerhouse K&L Gates in 2008 – its legacy and the contributions of its founding and subsequent partners continue to shape the legal landscape, particularly here in Texas. This article aims to delve into the significant past of Hughes & Luce LLP, offering you, the local Texan user, an insight into its former practice areas, its impact on the community, and how its spirit lives on through its integration into one of the world’s largest law firms.

Hughes & Luce LLP was a cornerstone of the Dallas legal community, established in 1973. It grew to become a prominent regional firm with offices not only in Dallas but also in Austin and Fort Worth. The firm was known for its comprehensive legal services, advising a wide range of clients from large corporations to emerging businesses. Its partners were often at the forefront of significant legal matters, including complex commercial litigation and substantial corporate transactions. For example, a founding partner, Tom Luce, was celebrated for his work on multi-billion dollar mergers and his distinguished public service, including leading initiatives to improve public education in Texas. Another key partner, Vester Hughes, was admired for his expertise in federal taxation and argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. These examples highlight the caliber of legal talent that Hughes & Luce cultivated and the profound impact they had on both legal precedent and community development within Texas.

The decision for Hughes & Luce to combine with K&L Gates in 2008 marked a pivotal moment, transforming a respected regional firm into an integral part of a global legal network. This merger allowed the established expertise of Hughes & Luce to be leveraged on an international scale, while simultaneously bringing enhanced global resources to clients within Texas. Even though the original firm name no longer operates independently, the expertise and client-focused approach that defined Hughes & Luce continue to be embedded within the Dallas office of K&L Gates, which still occupies the same location. This continuity ensures that the spirit of dedicated legal service to Texans remains strong.

The physical location that was once home to Hughes & Luce LLP continues to be a central and highly accessible hub for legal services in Dallas. Situated in a prime downtown area, it remains convenient for clients throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and beyond. The address associated with the former Hughes & Luce LLP and the current K&L Gates Dallas office is:

1717 Main St #2800, Dallas, TX 75201, USA

This prominent address is within the Comerica Bank Tower, a recognizable and central landmark in the Dallas skyline. Its strategic location on Main Street provides excellent connectivity to major highways, including the Dallas North Tollway, US-75, I-35, and I-30. This ensures straightforward routes for those driving from various parts of North Texas. For visitors, numerous parking facilities are readily available in the immediate vicinity, including options within the Comerica Bank Tower itself and various nearby garages, making parking convenient and stress-free.

For individuals who prefer public transportation, the office is just a short walk from several DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) light rail stations, such as the Akard and St. Paul stops. This makes it highly accessible for clients commuting from different parts of Dallas and the surrounding areas, offering an efficient and environmentally friendly way to reach the office. Furthermore, the building is integrated into the Dallas Pedestrian Network, providing covered and climate-controlled walkways that connect various downtown buildings. This is particularly advantageous during Texas's hot summers or during inclement weather. This enduring strategic and accessible location underscores the continued commitment to client convenience for the legal services offered at this address, maintaining its suitability for the Texas community.

While Hughes & Luce LLP as a standalone firm is part of history, understanding its former practice areas provides context for the comprehensive services now offered by K&L Gates at the same Dallas location. Hughes & Luce was known for its expertise across a range of vital legal fields, which largely continue within the combined entity. Historically, the firm's practice areas included:

• Business Litigation: Representing small, mid-sized, and Fortune 100 companies, as well as individuals, in complex business disputes. This often involved non-compete agreements, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, and misappropriation of trade secrets.
• Employment Law: Handling a wide variety of employment claims, including discrimination (race, national origin, pregnancy, sex, disability, retaliation), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) violations, and advising employers on best practices for employee issues, discipline, and terminations. They also drafted employment policies and agreements, including non-disclosure, non-compete, and non-solicitation agreements.
• Corporate Law: Advising on corporate governance, mergers, acquisitions, and general corporate matters.
• Finance: Expertise in various financial transactions and related legal issues.
• Intellectual Property: Providing counsel on intellectual property rights, particularly significant in the firm's work with early internet and e-commerce companies.
• Real Estate Law: Handling disputes and transactions related to real property.
• Tax Law: Specializing in federal taxation, including income, estate, gift, and excise taxes, for individuals and corporations.
• E-Commerce and Internet Law: Hughes & Luce was notably a pioneer in this area, forming one of the first Internet and E-Commerce Teams in the U.S., advising major internet and tech companies on intellectual property rights, business relationships between internet sites, content exchange, and financing e-commerce initiatives.

Today, the K&L Gates Dallas office continues and expands upon these areas, leveraging the global firm's vast resources to offer an even broader spectrum of services including: Corporate and Transactional, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Intellectual Property, Labor, Employment and Workplace Safety, Real Estate, Finance, and more, as detailed in the previous article about K&L Gates.

The legacy of Hughes & Luce LLP is marked by several significant features and highlights that continue to influence the legal landscape in Texas:

• Pioneering in Technology Law: Hughes & Luce was a trailblazer in e-commerce and internet law, advising early tech giants and shaping legal strategies for the burgeoning digital economy. This foresight cemented its reputation as an innovative firm.
• Founding Visionaries: The firm was founded by distinguished attorneys like Tom Luce and Vester Hughes, who not only excelled in their legal practices but also made profound contributions to public service and legal scholarship. Tom Luce, for instance, is well-known for his efforts in education reform and founding organizations like Texas 2036.
• Strong Corporate and Litigation Practice: The firm built a reputation for handling complex corporate transactions, including multi-billion dollar mergers, and for robust representation in commercial and employment litigation, with attorneys having significant trial and appellate experience.
• Integration into a Global Firm: The merger with K&L Gates in 2008 was a strategic move that recognized the increasing globalization of legal services. This integration ensures that the deep expertise once housed within Hughes & Luce now contributes to a worldwide network, benefiting Texan clients with global reach and expanded resources.
• Legacy of Talent: Many attorneys who were partners or associates at Hughes & Luce continue to be prominent figures in the Texas legal community, carrying forward the firm's ethos of excellence and client dedication. For example, some have gone on to form their own highly successful practices or hold significant positions within the current K&L Gates structure.

Given that Hughes & Luce LLP no longer operates as a separate entity and has merged into K&L Gates, specific "promotions" or "special offers" under the Hughes & Luce name would not be applicable. However, when seeking legal counsel from the K&L Gates Dallas office, which occupies the former Hughes & Luce premises, it is common for large law firms to offer initial consultations. These consultations provide an opportunity for prospective clients to discuss their legal needs with experienced attorneys and determine if the firm's services align with their requirements. Often, these discussions are conducted without an upfront fee, providing a valuable first step for Texans seeking complex legal advice. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on their consultation policies or engagement process, it is recommended to contact the K&L Gates Dallas office directly using the contact information provided below.

While Hughes & Luce LLP is no longer an independent operating firm, the legacy address and phone numbers are now associated with the Dallas office of K&L Gates. For Texans interested in reaching the legal professionals operating from this historic location, here are the relevant contact details:

Address: 1717 Main St #2800, Dallas, TX 75201, USA

Phone: (214) 939-5563

Mobile Phone: +1 214-939-5563

These contact options will connect you to the K&L Gates Dallas office, which continues the tradition of providing comprehensive legal services from this established downtown location.

For Texans, understanding the legacy of Hughes & Luce LLP and its evolution into the Dallas office of K&L Gates provides compelling reasons why this location remains highly suitable for a wide range of legal needs. The firm, in its historical context and present form, has always been deeply rooted in the Texas legal community, with its partners making significant contributions to both legal practice and public service within the state. This historical foundation means that clients approaching the K&L Gates office in Dallas are engaging with a firm that possesses a profound understanding of Texas laws, local business environments, and community values.

The central location in the Comerica Bank Tower ensures optimal accessibility for individuals and businesses across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. This ease of access, combined with the comprehensive legal services now offered by K&L Gates – spanning corporate, litigation, intellectual property, employment, and more – means that Texans can find specialized and globally-informed legal counsel right here at home. The enduring influence of the talented attorneys who built Hughes & Luce, and their continued contributions through the K&L Gates platform, solidifies this location as a premier destination for Texans seeking sophisticated and dedicated legal representation.