HOUSTON, Texas – Gray Reed is pleased to announce that Wendie Childress has joined the firm as a partner in its Business & Commercial Litigation practice group in Houston. Childress brings more than 25 years of experience advising businesses, law firms and investors on complex commercial disputes, litigation strategy and litigation finance.

Childress joins Gray Reed from Westfleet Advisors, where she served as Managing Director and Counsel and led the firm's Houston office. In that role, she advised clients on strategy for approaching the litigation finance market, alternative fee agreements, case evaluation, financial modeling, deal structuring and funding negotiations. She previously was a Senior Advisor and underwriting counsel at Validity Finance, one of the nation's leading litigation finance firms.

Before entering the litigation finance industry, Childress spent 17 years at Yetter Coleman LLP, representing plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation, arbitration and business disputes involving intellectual property, contracts, securities, employment and other high-stakes matters. She has advised clients across the energy, technology, healthcare, construction and financial services sectors.

“Wendie's combination of trial experience, strategic business insight and litigation finance knowledge adds a unique dimension to our litigation team and the value we provide to clients,” said Preston Kamin, Business & Commercial Litigation practice leader.

A recognized thought leader in litigation finance, Childress frequently speaks and writes on developments affecting the industry and has been named to the Lawdragon Global 100 Leaders in Litigation Finance list in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

“I am excited to join Gray Reed and work alongside a team known for delivering practical, business-focused counsel,” said Childress. “I look forward to helping clients navigate complex disputes and achieve their strategic objectives.”

Childress earned her J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law and her B.A. in English, with honors, from The University of Texas.

About Gray Reed

Gray Reed is a full-service Texas law firm with a comprehensive range of litigation and transactional practices. With more than 160 attorneys, the firm focuses on understanding its clients' businesses and industries to deliver practical, strategic legal solutions for companies and high-net-worth individuals. Through its subsidiary, Gray Reed Advisory Services, the firm also provides strategic business consulting tailored to each client's objectives. Learn more at grayreed.com and grayreedadvisory.com.