Law360 named four Gibson Dunn partners among its 2025 MVPs. The Law360 MVP awards feature lawyers who have “distinguished themselves from their peers by securing significant achievements in high-stakes litigation, complex global matters and record-breaking deals.”

Gibson Dunn’s MVPs are:

• Andrew Fabens, a Capital Markets MVP – Andrew serves as Co-Chair of our Capital Markets Practice Group. He advises companies on long-term and strategic capital planning, disclosure and reporting obligations under U.S. federal securities laws, corporate governance issues, and stock exchange listing obligations.
• Allyson Ho, an Appellate MVP – Allyson is Co-Chair of our Appellate and Constitutional Law Practice Group. She has presented over 100 oral arguments in federal and state courts nationwide, including six high-stakes business cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Brian Rosenthal, an Intellectual Property MVP – Brian is a trial lawyer with a particular emphasis on patent litigation. His patent litigation practice has spanned a wide range of technologies, with a concentration on computer software, electronics, and medical devices.
• Jason Schwartz, an Employment MVP – Jason is Co-Chair of our Labor and Employment Practice Group. His practice includes sensitive workplace investigations, high-profile trade secret and non-compete matters, wage-hour and discrimination class actions, Sarbanes-Oxley and other whistleblower protection claims, executive and other significant employment disputes, labor union controversies, and workplace safety litigation.

Best Law Firms US has ranked Gibson Dunn 2026 Law Firm of the Year in two categories, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Real Estate Law. The Law Firm of the Year award recognizes firms “illustrating the balance between specialized skill and comprehensive service” and “showcasing their ability to deliver consistent quality and service beyond local markets.”

Our firm also earned Tier 1 rankings in 168 practice area categories in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms, ranked by Best Lawyers®.  Overall, the firm earned 210 rankings in nine metropolitan areas and nationally.

Of counsel Stephen Hui has been named to the LexisNexis 40 Under 40 list, which showcases lawyers who are “shaping the future of law” in Asia “through leadership, innovation, and meaningful impact.”  Stephen was recognized on both the Asia-wide and the Hong Kong lists. The awards were presented on November 6, 2025.

In an article for The Times on the proposals of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to regulate crypto assets in the UK, partner Michelle Kirschner warns that, “while crypto regulation is to be welcomed, the FCA has a delicate balancing act to navigate between consumer protection and allowing the UK crypto sector to thrive and be competitive.” She adds: “Its leadership has publicly committed to a greater emphasis on competitiveness and innovation. Crypto regulation could prove an important testing ground for that sentiment.”

Michelle is Co-Chair of our firm’s Financial Regulatory Practice Group.

Gibson Dunn advised Nielsen Holdings Limited and its affiliate Neptune BidCo US Inc. on Neptune BidCo’s offering of $1.2 billion in senior secured notes.

Our corporate team included partners Doug Horowitz and Harrison Tucker and associates Malakeh Hijazi, Matthew Ross, Kyle Clendenon, and Lily Paulson Stephens.

A Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher team led by Rachel Brass, Stacie Fletcher and Miguel Estrada represent Daimler Truck North America, which took the lead in a challenge brought by four companies that make and sell heavy duty trucks and engines in a challenge to California’s enforcement of emission standards on their products. U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins in Sacramento issued a preliminary injunction last week barring California officials from seeking to force the companies to comply with the Clean Truck Partnership—a 2023 agreement the companies reached with the state—finding that the CTP was preempted by federal emissions rules. Estrada argued the motion for all four manufacturers. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Robert Stander argued on behalf of the federal government, which intervened on behalf of the manufacturers.

The Gibson Dunn team includes partners Benjamin Wagner and Jacob Spencer and associates Veronica Goodson, Will Feldman, Christopher Kopp, Tyler Helms, James Rex Lee, Laura Stanley, Kirsten Bleiweiss, Soumya Kandukuri, Billy Malmed and Kendall Strabala. Latham’s Robin Hulshizer, Arthur Foerster and Kevin Jakopchek represent International Motors. Joseph Ostoyich and Dorothea Allocca of Clifford Chance represent Paccar. Jeremy Heep, Daniel Boland and Scott Mills of Troutman Pepper Locke represent Volvo Group North America.

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Reprinted with permission from the November 7, 2025 edition of “The AmLaw Litigation Daily” © 2025 ALM Global Properties, LLC. All rights reserved. Further duplication without permission is prohibited, contact 877-256-2472 or asset-and-logo-licensing@alm.com.

Gibson Dunn advised Platinum Equity and Solenis on the acquisition of NCH Corporation, an expert in middle-market water treatment and industrial solutions.

Our corporate team was led by partners Ari Lanin, Evan D’Amico, and Daniela Stolman and included associates Paul Lee, Sam Harris, Michelle Lou, Héctor González Medina, and Kriti Hannon.  Partner Dora Arash and associate Bree Gong advised on tax aspects. Partner Sean Feller advised on benefits.

Our outstanding Labor and Employment Practice Group and our partners Brian Rosenthal (Intellectual Property) and Rachel Levick (Environmental Litigation and Mass Torts) were honored at The National Law Journal Awards.

For the ninth year in a row, the Labor and Employment group received the Litigation Department of the Year award in the L&E category — an incredible achievement by an exceptional team. Brian was honored as Winning Litigator—Defense, and Rachel was named a Washington D.C. Rising Star.

Gibson Dunn advised Five Arrows, the alternative assets arm of Rothschild & Co, on its majority investment in NetVendor, a leading provider of vendor compliance management software for the multi-family and commercial real estate industries.

Our corporate team was led by partner Abtin Jalali and included associates Kiel Sauerman, Uyen Tu, and Riley Gesling. Partner Matt Donnelly and associate Josiah Bethards advised on tax aspects; partner Daniel Angel and associate Jacqueline Malzone advised on IP aspects; and partner Michael Collins and associate John Curran advised on benefits.

Partner Robert Spano, former president of the European Court of Human Rights, was a guest on the BBC World Service Newshour radio program. The conversation took place on the 75^th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, created to prevent the types of atrocities seen during World War II. Robert discussed the “profound impact” the Convention has had on the European political landscape.

“The big impact of the Convention has been to allow for voices in society which are vulnerable – minorities, discriminatory animus towards those that do not have political support – those voices have been heard,” he said.

Gibson Dunn is advising Daikin Applied Americas on its acquisition of Chilldyne, a leader in negative pressure liquid cooling systems for high-performance and AI data centers.

The Gibson Dunn corporate team includes partner Stephen Olson and associates Jonathan Sapp, Joseph Kmetz, and Gerald Kimani. Partner Michael Cannon is advising on tax aspects. Partner Gina Hancock is advising on benefits.

Partner Albert Cho, Co-Head of our Investment Funds Practice Group in Asia, was quoted in Private Equity Law Report (subscription required) in an article titled “Key Catalysts Behind the Emerging Trend of PE Spinouts (Part One of Three),” which discusses spinouts of private equity investment professionals or teams from their legacy firms and the various explanations as to why parties pursue spinouts.  

In the article, Albert describes how the spinout trend in Asia compares to other markets and the factors than can prompt investment professionals or teams in the region to pursue a spinout, including to address limitations on capital deployment in a particular market or strategy or the lack of clear succession planning at the legacy firm.

Gibson Dunn advised SM Energy Company on its definitive, all-stock merger agreement with Civitas Resources, Inc. The combined company’s enterprise value will be approximately $12.8 billion.

Our corporate team was led by partner Jeffrey Chapman and included partners Jonathan Whalen and Robyn Zolman and associates Jonathan Sapp, Alisa Balderas, Caroline Bakewell, and Muriel Hague. Partners Rahul Vashi and Adam Whitehouse advised on oil and gas aspects; partner Doug Rayburn on financing; partner Michael Cannon on tax; partner Sophia Hansell on antitrust aspects; and partner Krista Hanvey on benefits.

Gibson Dunn announced today that Sebastian L. Fain has joined the firm’s New York office, where he will serve as a partner in the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group and as Co-Head of Cross-Border M&A. A highly regarded deal lawyer, he brings extensive experience in strategic M&A, takeover and shareholder activism defense, and corporate governance.

“Expanding our M&A team by adding premier talent like Sebastian is core to our strategy,” said Saee Muzumdar, Co-Chair of the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Group. “He brings exceptional public and strategic M&A expertise and significant experience in helping companies execute their most complex transactions around the world. His skillset complements our best-in-class capabilities and will benefit clients as they navigate markets amid swelling strategic activity, shifting valuations, and heightened activist engagement.”

“I’m excited to join Gibson Dunn’s tremendously talented, collaborative, and growth-oriented team,” said Sebastian. “Gibson Dunn has built a truly global M&A practice that is widely recognized for its excellence and is incredibly well-positioned to help clients through every phase of a transaction’s lifecycle. I’m confident this exceptional platform will provide a strong foundation for the continued growth of my practice and to serve clients on their most complex and important matters.”

Sebastian’s arrival underscores Gibson Dunn’s continued investment in its global M&A practice, which has recently welcomed energy M&A partner Simon Tysoe and public company M&A partner Will McDonald in London, as well as Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group Co-Chair and Co-Head of Cross-Border M&A George Sampas in New York.

About Sebastian L. Fain

Sebastian advises both public company and sponsor clients on mergers and acquisitions, activism defense, and corporate governance issues. He regularly represents clients in a full range of domestic and cross-border transactions, including public company mergers, private equity acquisitions, joint ventures, complex business carve-outs and divestitures, hostile takeovers and defense, carve-out IPOs, spin-offs, and split-offs. Sebastian also has significant experience representing clients in complex commercial agreements and in capital markets transactions, such as IPOs, secondary offerings, block trades, high-yield bond offerings, and exchange offers. He has expertise across a range of industries, including life sciences, industrials, technology, media, telecommunications, and energy. Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Sebastian served as a partner at a leading international law firm.

The leading German legal publication JUVE has recommended Gibson Dunn in Germany in the 2025/2026 edition of its annual directory. Gibson Dunn is named among the National Top Law Firms in Germany and is recognized in the Compliance and Internal Investigations, Corporate Law, Dispute Resolution, M&A, and Private Equity Transactions categories. Partners Ferdinand Fromholzer, Markus Nauheim, Dirk Oberbracht, Wilhelm Reinhardt, Markus Rieder, Benno Schwarz, and Finn Zeidler are “frequently recommended” in one or more practice areas.

A report in The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) about the launch of ADL Legal Action Network powered by Gibson Dunn notes that the network includes some of the biggest law firms in the U.S. It enables individuals anywhere in the country to report incidents, which are then reviewed by a steering committee that can connect people with thousands of the nation’s top lawyers.

“We are building an army of lawyers who will be a virtual law firm dealing with these problems,” said Gibson Dunn partner Orin Snyder, who is leading the efforts.

The launch of ADL Legal Action Network has been reported by a number of media outlets, including Reuters, The American Lawyer, Law360, The New York Post, Bloomberg Law, and others.

First up this week is a Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher team led by partners Cynthia Richman and Daniel Swanson and of counsel Eli Lazarus who scored a big win for Apple in a long-running antitrust case claiming the structure of the company’s App Store causes consumers to overpay for apps and in-app purchases. This week, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland granted Apple’s motion to decertify the class in the case after finding the plaintiffs’ expert had put forward an “error-ridden” methodology for matching Apple ID accounts with actual consumers. The Gibson Dunn team includes Theodore Boutrous Jr., Jason Lo, Caeli Higney, Julian Kleinbrodt and Dana Lynn Craig and associate Harry Phillips.

To read the complete article visit Law.com (subscription required)

Reprinted with permission from the October 31, 2025 edition of “The AmLaw Litigation Daily” © 2025 ALM Global Properties, LLC. All rights reserved. Further duplication without permission is prohibited, contact 877-256-2472 or asset-and-logo-licensing@alm.com.

Gibson Dunn secured an important procedural win for United Surgical Partners International Inc. (USPI) on October 29, 2025, as the court granted its motion to transfer venue under 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a), or in the alternative, 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a), from the Eastern District of Kentucky to the Northern District of Texas, where USPI is headquartered.

Plaintiff Dara Janosky filed this action in the Eastern District of Kentucky against her former employer USPI alleging that USPI imposed an unlawful tobacco surcharge as part of its health benefit plan.  Plaintiff alleges that the plan’s tobacco surcharge resulted in a breach of fiduciary duty under 29 U.S.C. § 1104 and a violation of ERISA’s anti-discrimination provision under 29 § U.S.C. 1182.  This action is part of a growing trend of lawsuits filed by health plan participants challenging tobacco surcharges included in their health benefit plans.   

USPI maintains no operations in Kentucky, and the action’s only connection to the Eastern District of Kentucky is that Plaintiff resides there.  Notwithstanding ERISA’s generally broad venue provisions, USPI successfully argued that the action should be transferred to the Northern District of Texas, where USPI’s principal place of business is and where the plan is administered.  In granting USPI’s motion, the Court adopted nearly all of Gibson Dunn’s arguments. Importantly, the court agreed with Gibson Dunn that because Plaintiff does not allege her contract rights under the plan were breached, but rather, that the plan itself violates the law, the breach occurred not where Plaintiff resides, but where relevant plan decisions were made.  The court found that transfer was warranted under both 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a) and 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). 

The Gibson Dunn team representing USPI includes partners Karl Nelson and Ashley Johnson and associates Jennafer Tryck, Ellen Smith Yost, and Hannah Wilkens. 

Click to read The American Lawyer’s article, “Gibson Dunn, ADL Debut National Pro Bono Network to Combat Antisemitism” [PDF], which highlights the firm’s partnership with the Anti-Defamation League to launch a national pro bono network combating antisemitism.

Partners Barry Berke and Orin Snyder have been named by Benchmark Litigation US to its 2026 Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America list, which recognizes lawyers who are “the best in breed at the nuanced practice of trial law.”

Barry is renowned nationwide as a leading trial lawyer and white-collar criminal defense attorney who represents corporations and individuals in high-stakes trials, investigations, and complex litigation. He is Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group and a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Orin is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading trial lawyers, litigators, and corporate advisors. He represents clients across virtually every industry sector, across numerous practice areas. A former federal prosecutor, Orin is Co-Chair of the firm’s Trials Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.