Meet Jeff Whittle | Partner, Houston

The best way to get Jeff Whittle to do something is to tell him, “You won’t succeed.”

Jeff built a reputation as a trusted leader guiding global energy companies in patent portfolio and licensing matters. He was comfortably ensconced in one of Houston’s top law firms and one of the market’s top IP and corporate transactional attorneys. 

Some observers raised eyebrows in 2019 when Jeff announced that he would help Womble Bond Dickinson launch its Houston office and build its U.S.-based Energy and Natural Resources Sector. But Jeff relished the challenge, and accepted the role as Womble’s first Houston Office Managing Partner.

“I'm a builder,” he said. “I like the hope of the build, where we're going in the future.” And build he has, with strong support from the firm each step of the way. Womble’s Houston office launched with six attorneys. Now, the talent roster includes more than 25 lawyers and 25 technical advisors, patent agents, and paralegals.

Having a presence in a global innovation hub such as Houston has benefitted the firm, too. Womble long has been an Energy and Natural Resources Sector leader in the UK. In the past six years, the firm has become a go-to advisor for energy companies operating in the U.S. as well. 

Jeff finished his five-year term as Houston Office Managing Partner, turning over the reins to Karthika Perumal. But he remains a vital part in building Womble’s Houston presence as Head of the firm’s Global Energy and Natural Resources Industry Sector and a member of its Global Board.

“We’re excited not only about what we've built so far, but also what’s still to come,” Jeff said. “We want to continue to build.”