Balch & Bingham has opened a second Texas office in Austin, hiring Holland & Knight energy partner Todd Kimbrough to launch the Texas expansion, as the Birmingham, Alabama-based firm adds its energy regulatory focus to another office.

Balch managing partner Stanford Blanton said Austin is a natural extension of the firm’s Houston office, which opened in January 2020 and has grown to seven lawyers. Austin also is a fit for the firm because it is the state capital.