Press Release

Haynes and Boone, LLP proudly announces that, effective May 1, five associates will be promoted to counsel: Pierre Grosdidier, Chris Kang, Jade Laye, Ryan Paulsen and Jorge Torres.

“This is a tremendous achievement that reflects the exemplary work and service these lawyers have provided to the firm’s clients over an extended period of time,” said Managing Partner Tim Powers. “I am certain that Pierre, Chris, Jade, Ryan and Jorge will continue to provide stellar client service and enjoy even more success and professional growth at the firm.”

Pierre Grosdidier works in the Houston office as a litigator, focusing on complex technical and commercial disputes. He previously worked as a consulting engineer for 18 years and is board certified in construction law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. With an engineering Ph.D. from Caltech, Grosdidier is at ease with the most complex technologies whether in the energy, construction, computer, manufacturing, or environmental industries. In accordance with the firm’s tradition of leveraging capabilities and talent across practice groups, he works with the firm's Intellectual Property and Labor and Employment Practice Groups to help draft digital systems use agreements that reflect the latest legislation, case law, and litigation trends in this domain.

Chris Kang works in the Dallas office, where he is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group. He advises companies, financial institutions, and private investment funds with respect to complex matters involving employee benefits, ERISA, and executive compensation. Kang counsels both borrowers and lenders with respect to ERISA matters involved in all types of financing transactions, and in connection with corporate mergers and acquisitions. When he is not advocating for his clients or speaking about employee benefits matters, Kang is often involved with the Dallas Asian American Bar Association (DAABA), where he has served as treasurer for numerous years and is now continuing on as a member of its board of directors. Kang was named the “Best Lawyer Under 40” by the Asian Pacific Interest Section (APIS) of the Texas State Bar in 2016, and was selected for inclusion in the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars directory (Thomson Reuters) in 2017.

Jade Laye is a member of the Intellectual Property Practice Group based in Houston. As a registered patent attorney, his practice focuses on patent prosecution and counseling, as well as the acquisition, licensing and divestiture of patent rights. He was previously a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Laye’s patent examination experience provides his clients with a significant advantage in both prosecution and litigation. He was honored on the Houston Business Journal’s 2015 List of Top Patent Practitioners (American City Business Journals).

Ryan Paulsen is a member of our Appellate Practice Group in Dallas. A former clerk at the Supreme Court of Texas, Paulsen represents clients in state and federal court. Specifically, he has worked on appeals that overturned a liquidated damages judgment at the Texas Supreme Court, reversed an employment discrimination judgment at the Dallas Court of Appeals, and affirmed a favorable summary judgment ruling at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Paulsen also values opportunities to apply his skills to benefit the community. Working pro bono, he helped one client overturn an order of dismissal on appeal to the Fifth Circuit and enabled another client and his family to obtain refuge from political oppression in their home country of Ethiopia.

Jorge Torres is a member of our Litigation Practice Group in the Mexico City office. His practice focuses on administrative, civil, commercial, constitutional litigation and arbitration, as well as complex civil and mercantile litigation. He advised a state entity as coordinator of a legal service contract for the representation in more than 1000 administrative and civil procedures. In addition, Torres represented a global company in power solutions for marine and energy markets, in a commercial proceeding against one of the biggest navy companies in Mexico due to the breach of a supply agreement.