Litigator Steven Zager, who spent the last decade in New York at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, has returned to Austin as a partner at King & Spalding, where he reunites with former colleagues including close friend Ed Fernandes.

“It was time to come home,” said Zager, who practiced in Austin from 1998 to 2003 at the now-defunct Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison. He joined King & Spalding as a trial and global disputes partner Jan. 1.