The Austin-based law firm Powell & Leon, which specializes in education law, has opened an office in Houston and has hired lateral partner Geneva Taylor to manage it.

Taylor, who left the Houston office of Thompson & Horton, started work at Powell & Leon on Nov. 21. The firm also announced that it had hired senior associate Michelle Alcala in Austin. Alcala previously practiced at Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody in Austin.