King & Spalding Expands Dallas Office with Winston Partners

Litigation team continues to grow with three new hires from rival firm

Mar. 3, 2026 at 8:47am

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King & Spalding has poached three litigation partners from Winston & Strawn to expand its Dallas office. The new hires include LeElle Slifer, who co-chaired Winston's litigation practice, John T. Sullivan who focuses on commercial litigation and white-collar defense, and Katrina Eash, who works on complex commercial disputes. This latest move continues King & Spalding's raid on Winston, as the firm had already brought on prominent Texas litigator Tom Melsheimer and other Winston lawyers to its Dallas office in February.

Why it matters

The high-profile partner moves highlight the intense competition among major law firms to build up their litigation capabilities, especially in key markets like Dallas. This is part of a broader trend of lateral partner hires as firms look to gain a competitive edge by recruiting top legal talent.

The details

King & Spalding said the three new partners will join the firm's Dallas office, reuniting with the Winston lawyers who made the move last month. The firm touted the new hires as bringing 'exceptional litigation experience' that will further strengthen its Texas presence.

  • The new partners joined King & Spalding on March 1, 2026.
  • In February 2026, King & Spalding had already brought on prominent Texas litigator Tom Melsheimer and other Winston lawyers to its Dallas office.

The players

King & Spalding

An international law firm with over 1,200 lawyers in 22 offices worldwide.

Winston & Strawn

A global law firm with over 1,000 attorneys across 15 offices.

LeElle Slifer

A litigation partner who previously co-chaired the litigation practice at Winston & Strawn.

John T. Sullivan

A litigation partner at Winston & Strawn who focuses on complex commercial litigation and white-collar defense.

Katrina Eash

A litigation partner at Winston & Strawn who works on complex commercial disputes.

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The takeaway

The high-profile partner moves between major law firms like King & Spalding and Winston & Strawn reflect the intense competition to build up litigation capabilities, especially in key markets. This is part of a broader trend of lateral partner hires as firms seek to gain a competitive edge by recruiting top legal talent.