The firm has leased 4,000 sf for at least three years at the Westech 360 building at 8911 Capital of Texas Highway. "The location decision was made based on functionality and accessibility," Gregory Coleman, the partner in charge of the office, tells GlobeSt.com. "Our practice is not based in the Austin courts, so as a matter of convenience, there isn't a need for us to be downtown."

Other new firms, which have strong lobbying components, have helped buoy occupancy levels in the CBD by locating near the Texas capitol. Weil, Gotshal & Manges' areas of practice are litigation/arbitration, private equity/mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring.

Jon Aleshire of the Austin office of Dallas-base Staubach Co. represented the law firm and David Sheldon, who at the time of the transaction was with Endeavor Real Estate Group, acted for the building owner, WBE Westech 360 LP. Sheldon now operates Atlantis Properties.