Dallas employment litigator Kim Askew has joined DLA Piper as a partner, coming from K&L Gates.

Askew, who made the move Jan. 15, is a high-profile hire for DLA Piper, which has grown rapidly in Dallas, expanding from four lawyers two years ago to about 40 today. She became part of K&L Gates 12 years ago through its merger with midsize Texas-based Hughes & Luce, which she joined more than 35 years ago.