Filling a role open with the death of Susman Godfrey founder and managing partner Stephen Susman, the Houston-based trial firm selected Los Angeles partner Kalpana Srinivasan as a managing partner to serve alongside longtime managing partner Neal Manne.

Srinivasan, who joined Susman Godfrey in 2005 as an associate, is the fourth managing partner at the 40-year-old firm, the first woman, and the first based outside of Houston. She was elected late last week by the firm’s partners.