31 Mar 2026
Norton Rose Fulbright strengthens appellate bench with Anne Johnson and team
"Norton Rose Fulbright hires Anne Johnson as US Head of Appellate, joined by Kelli Bills, Megan Coker and Stephani Michel to reinforce its appellate practice."
Anne Johnson has joined Norton Rose Fulbright as a partner and US Head of Appellate in the Dallas office. Widely recognized as one of the top appellate lawyers in Texas, she is an accomplished appellate advocate with a long record of success in high‑stakes appeals in state and federal courts. She is frequently engaged by trial teams at every stage of litigation to shape strategy, preserve key issues and position matters for appeal. Earlier in her career she spent more than 26 years at Haynes and Boone, where she served as chair of the litigation department, led the appellate practice group and was a member of the executive committee and board of directors. Anne and the group join Norton Rose Fulbright from the boutique litigation firm Tillotson Johnson & Patton.
Kelli Bills has joined Norton Rose Fulbright in Dallas as senior counsel. She advises clients in complex disputes in state and federal courts and has experience at every phase of litigation. Bills is particularly adept at handling high‑stakes appeals involving business litigation, bankruptcy, arbitration and securities matters. She is licensed in Texas, Colorado and Utah and joins from Tillotson Johnson & Patton.
Megan Coker has joined Norton Rose Fulbright in Dallas as counsel. Her appellate litigation practice focuses on complex constitutional and statutory issues, commercial disputes, municipal and utility litigation and bet‑the‑company matters in Texas and federal courts. She is noted for emergency appellate work that demands immediate strategic judgment. Coker is licensed in Texas and Colorado and joins from Tillotson Johnson & Patton.
Stephani Michel has joined Norton Rose Fulbright in Houston as a senior associate. She focuses on matters in Texas and federal courts, including drafting briefs, presenting oral argument and guiding clients through the appellate process while working closely with trial teams. Her practice spans complex commercial disputes, high‑stakes tort litigation and oil and gas matters. Michel is licensed in Texas and joins from Tillotson Johnson & Patton.