J. Matthew Lyons, who helped Shearman & Sterling launch an office in Austin three years ago, has moved to Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as a corporate securities partner, as the firm acts on a strategy to expand in Austin to meet increased demand from emerging companies in the technology and life sciences sectors.

Rob Suffoletta, managing partner of Wilson Sonsini’s 30-lawyer Austin office, said Lyons’ hiring is a “big first step” in expansion in Austin due to the volume of emerging company work. He said Lyons brings 25 years of experience and contacts in the Austin market.