Former Exxon Mobil Corp. general counsel Jack Balagia and well-known litigator Ken Tekell, who practiced for 52 years at a firm he helped launch in Houston, are now practicing together at the recently formed firm Balagia & Tekell.

The Houston trial lawyers, who met 20 years ago at an Exxon Mobil golf tournament, joined forces as they each found themselves casting around for a late-career opportunity. Balagia will turn 67 in October. Tekell just turned 80.