July 21, 2014
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Richard Birns has joined the firm as a partner. Previously with Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, Birns will continue his corporate practice focusing on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity transactions.
“We are delighted to welcome Richie to the firm,” said Ken Doran, Chairman and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Richie has stellar credentials and is extremely well regarded by his clients and peers. New York is a key market for the firm, and strong additions to our team like Richie are critical to the continued growth and success of our premier M&A and private equity practices.”
“Richie is a terrific addition,” said Steven Shoemate, Co-Partner in Charge of the New York office and co-chair of the firm’s Private Equity Practice Group. “Creative and hard-working, he is an experienced M&A lawyer with a commitment to client service that will fit in well at the firm. His focus on domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity, particularly in the media, entertainment and sports industries will complement the firm’s practice and client base.”
“It was a difficult decision to leave Boies Schiller, and I will always cherish my time there, but I am excited to be joining Gibson Dunn’s robust platform,” said Birns. “The quality of the lawyers across all practice areas is impressive. I look forward to working closely with my new colleagues to continue to build Gibson Dunn’s industry-leading corporate practice.”
About Richard Birns
Birns focuses his practice on U.S. and cross-border mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and financings for both corporations and leading private equity firms. In addition, he advises private investment funds on a variety of corporate issues, including securities law and shareholder activism matters. He has extensive experience advising clients in multiple industries with significant depth in the media, entertainment, technology and sports sectors.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Birns practiced with Boies Schiller since 2003. Before that, Birns was a corporate associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore from 1998 to 2003. From 1997 to 1998, he clerked for Judge Milton Pollack of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Birns graduated in 1997 from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and editor of the Columbia Law Review.