The Houston-based Lanier Law Firm, famous for winning a $253 million Vioxx-related jury verdict against pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. in August 2005, wants its online presence on par with its reputation in the courtroom: big time. Toward that end, it announced the launch of its redesigned and expanded Web site Friday.

The firm’s management hopes the much larger site will take advantage of firm founder W. Mark Lanier’s notoriety and bring in business.