Michael Best is pleased to announce the addition of John Menchaca as Partner, and Chris Kirby as Associate, to the firm’s Transactional Practice Group, based out of the Austin office. The team joins Michael Best from Enoch Kever, PLLC, bringing more than 35 years of combined extensive expertise in advising emerging growth companies, entrepreneurs, and investors across a wide range of corporate transactions.
Menchaca’s practice encompasses mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private equity transactions, and general corporate and governance law, with a special emphasis on guiding startup companies from inception to liquidation events. His vast experience includes handling mergers and acquisitions (M&A) from both the buy side and sell side of these transactions, structuring debt and equity financings for emerging growth companies, and managing a wide variety of strategic transactions, including recapitalizations and buyouts. Known as a trusted advisor to technology companies, venture capital funds, and angel investors, Menchaca regularly represents companies and investors in funding rounds and provides counsel on entity formation, financing strategies, and transaction structuring.
Kirby’s practice focuses on the intersection of business and government, particularly in the renewable energy and traditional energy sectors, where he represents clients in regulatory advocacy and compliance, legislative and policy matters, and contested cases before regulatory bodies including the Public Utility Commission of Texas and matters before the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). Kirby’s experience spans a wide range of energy industry clients, including advising a major renewable energy trade association and a large power generation and electricity retailer in ERCOT. In addition, Kirby has significant experience serving as ERCOT regulatory compliance counsel for major energy transactions.
“John and Chris are skilled practitioners that bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the firm,” said Jason Thompson, Chair of Michael Best’s Corporate & Transactional Practice Group. “John’s deep understanding of the intricacies involved in corporate transactions will enhance the firm’s ability to serve clients in the technology sector and beyond. Chris’ expertise in energy regulatory matters is a great compliment to the services the firm offers clients.”
Prior to his time at Enoch Kever, Menchaca served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for a leading Austin-based SaaS technology company, where he gained invaluable business insights. During his tenure, he managed the negotiation and execution of a broad array of technology licensing agreements, SaaS platform implementations, and data privacy matters, including GDPR compliance and data breach responses. His in-house experience provides him with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by C-suite executives and boards, especially in corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and risk management.
“We are thrilled to have John and Chris join the Austin office,” said Commissioner George P. Bush, Managing Partner of the Austin office. “Their profound experience and strategic insights are a tremendous asset. We look forward to leveraging the skills and knowledge of both John and Chris as we continue to expand our office and provide highly valued service to the market.”
Menchaca is also a sought-after speaker and educator. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas Law School, where he taught a course on the Life Cycle of Technology Startups and has presented on venture capital and corporate governance at multiple universities and business networks throughout Texas.
Honored as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" for Corporate Law since 2020, Menchaca is an active member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas Business Law Section and Corporate Counsel Section, and the Austin Bar Association Business, Corporate & Tax Section and Technology Law Section.
In 2024, Kirby was recognized as a “Best Lawyers in America” Ones to Watch and was named a “Super Lawyers” Rising Star.
“We are excited to welcome not just one, but two attorneys of high pedigree to the firm,” said Leah Hurtgen Ziemba, Co-Chair of the firm’s Regulatory Practice Group. “John and Chris are well prepared to provide clients the counsel and legal services to skillfully navigate business challenges, mitigate risks, and position organizations for success. We look forward to leveraging John’s venture and corporate experience to assist the business community and Chris’ renewable energy expertise to expand our energy team’s reach in Texas.”
Menchaca earned his J.D. from Oklahoma City University School of Law and his B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. Kirby earned his J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, as well as his B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin.