Call it the California-Texas legal axis.
Todd Friedland, OC managing partner of the Texas-based FBFK law firm, says the Dallas-Fortworth area, Houston, Austin and Irvine offices are in “two of the hotspots in the nation.”
“So many California clients have now moved operations to or have satellite operations in Texas and many Texas clients want to have a foothold here in California,” Friedland told the Business Journal on Nov. 3. “That cross-border service is required and it’s kept us very busy.”
The firm jumped up from three OC attorneys in September 2022 to 21 lawyers two months ago – or a 600% increase in strict math terms. That puts it in third place in this year’s Business Journal rankings of the fastest-growing law firms in OC.
A portion of that growth came in January when FBFK added five attorneys, including Barry Resnick, Jeff Resnick and Adam Greely – former partners of Vogt, Resnick & Sherak – as well as Jerome Busch and Richard Blumenthal, who are Of Counsel. That same month, FBFK moved into a 23,000-square-foot office space designed, they said, “to foster collaboration, innovation, and client-centered solutions.”
“This is a milestone moment for FBFK Law,” Kyle Ferguson, chief executive and founder, said of the January hires. “Welcoming the highly regarded Resnick team to our team deepens our expertise and enhances the capabilities we offer our clients. Combined with our new state-of-the-art office, this move underscores our ongoing commitment to growth, innovation and exceptional client service.”
Barry Resnick said: “With FBFK’s impressive new office in Orange County and established presence across Texas, this is a natural and exciting evolution for our team and clients.”
Firm’s Start
Stephens Friedland LLP, founded by Friedland and John Stephens, merged with Texas-based FBFK in early 2024 with each bringing an array of strengths to the other.
“We wouldn’t have joined forces with another firm if it weren’t something special,” Friedland said.
Stephens also serves as mayor of Costa Mesa.
The firm is guided by what it calls “The FBFK Way,” with 26 principles posted on its website, including think team first, be positive, do what’s best for the client, and “debate, then align.”
FBFK’s practice areas include corporate law, securities, mergers & acquisitions, data privacy, data security, land use and estates, among others.
As for future growth, Friedland says, “Right now, I prefer lateral moves because I need people who can come in and hit the ground running.”
First-year lawyers are also welcome to seek a spot as the size increases.
“We will be having a first-year lawyer start with us after the summer of 2026,” according to Friedland. The firm has lined up two summer associates for 2026.
Mediating Business Disputes
Friedland is a litigator.
His practice focuses on commercial litigation and strategic counseling, including matters related to corporate governance and fiduciary duty, complex contract and manufacturing disputes, trade secrets, unlawful business practices, business torts and real estate issues.
He also handles mediation, which can settle disputes without going to trial.
“In the litigation field these days it seems like almost every case goes to mediation,” he says. “Mediation has become very, very, very popular in the world of business disputes.”
Oftentimes, “business people want to come to a business solution and they need guidance getting there.”
He looks forward to further growth locally.
“We intend to be in Orange County for a very long time to come,” according to Friedland.
