Robert Little, a partner in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Dallas, learned more than he thought he’d ever want to know about aircraft this summer while representing AMR Corp. in the largest such purchase ever. The project was even more remarkable because Gibson, Dunn’s Dallas office was the hub for all aspects of deal negotiations.

“We brought everyone into Dallas and really took over the Gibson, Dunn offices and took over the Ritz across the street,” says Gary Kennedy, senior vice president and general counsel at American Airlines and its parent, AMR Corp.