Baker Botts, a 179-year-old Texas firm, has a legacy in oil-and-gas law, and a long string of managing partners based in the the Lone Star state. But its newest managing partner, John Martin, is based in Palo Alto, California, and does corporate work for technology clients.

Does the shift from a managing partner based in Houston to one in California have much significance for the firm or its image? Consultants say it might, but Martin suggests the change isn’t revolutionary.