Gibson Dunn advised Elk Range Royalties on the landmark acquisition of a significant mineral and royalty position spanning approximately 250,000 net royalty acres in the DJ Basin from affiliates of Occidental. The $905 million transaction significantly expands Elk Range’s presence in a premier oil and gas region and aligns with Elk Range’s strategy of acquiring attractive royalty assets in core basins.
The Gibson Dunn corporate team was led by partner Rahul Vashi and included associates Chris Atmar and Kene Obi. Partner Matt Donnelly and associate Hayden Theis advised on tax aspects; and counsel Andrew Cline advised on antitrust aspects.
Our Litigators of the Week are Trey Cox, Collin Cox and Gregg Costa of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.
All three joined the firm in Texas over the past half decade: Trey Cox from Lynn Pinker Cox & Hurst in April 2020, Collin Cox from Yetter Coleman in August 2021 and Costa in September 2022 after serving as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
This week, after a trial that lasted more than three weeks, state court jurors in Mandan, North Dakota, awarded their clients Energy Transfer and the Dakota Access Pipeline nearly $667 million dollars against environmental organization Greenpeace and its affiliates. Jurors found that Greenpeace defamed the companies and incited protestors to trespass on their property and disrupt construction efforts.
Litigation Daily: Who is your client and what was at stake?
Trey Cox: We represented Energy Transfer and the Dakota Access Pipeline. Our clients were seeking to stand on the principle that their rights were violated based on the defendant’s conduct relating to protests about the pipeline that our clients were developing in North Dakota.
How did this matter come to you and the firm?
Trey Cox: We have a long-standing and strong relationship with Energy Transfer. After the motion to dismiss phase, Energy Transfer sought seasoned trial counsel, anticipating that the case would likely go to trial. We assembled a trial team—myself, Collin Cox and Gregg Costa—with a collective track record of over a hundred trials to verdict. Any one of us could have led this case. Together, we formed and led an exceptionally formidable team.
Our strategy streamlined the case for trial, honing in on two key areas. First, what we termed the “ground torts,” encompassing physical damage to the pipeline and equipment, along with increased security costs. We aimed to prove that the people on the ground in North Dakota were funded and coordinated by trainers sent and paid for by Greenpeace to organize anyone and everyone in the camps surrounding the construction. Second, we significantly narrowed the defamation claims to the nine most malicious statements, specifically designed to harm Energy Transfer ’s standing in the international finance community. Our goal was to show that Greenpeace deceptively and maliciously communicated with the international finance community in a malicious and deceptive way to “toxify” (their words) any relationship with Energy Transfer.
Energy Transfer valued our experienced team and our aggressive, trial-focused approach.
Who was on the trial team and how did you divide the work?
Collin Cox: It was an all Texas-based team. Trey Cox, Gregg Costa, Ben Betner, Travis Jones, Lara Kakish, Brian Sanders, Bryston Gallegos, Cody Johnson, Johanna Smith and Hunter Heck were all in North Dakota, along with our superstar paralegal, Wendy Cassidy. As always, it was a massive effort, and we divided up the work. Trey picked the jury, opened and closed. Gregg, Ben, Lara, Travis, Trey and I handled several key fact and expert witnesses. Our associates were fantastic, arguing evidentiary, legal, and jury instruction issues before trial as well as during morning and lunch sessions (without the jury) during the trial. And all of us have joined Gibson Dunn in the last five years.
Anti-pipeline protesters testified that many organizations provided support to them. Why was Greenpeace singled out here? And how did you make the case that the organization and its affiliates damaged the company?
Trey Cox: That testimony was flat-out false and a continuation of the deceptive, manipulative and self-serving Greenpeace narrative. Greenpeace was singled out because the documentation demonstrated that Greenpeace Inc., Greenpeace Fund and Greenpeace International dedicated significant money, personnel and resources to North Dakota with the sole purpose of disrupting pipeline construction. They supplied blockade materials, conducted surveillance on ET’s personnel, construction sites and equipment and used that intelligence to create strategic maps. Greenpeace employees and Greenpeace-funded professional protestors distributed this information to demonstrators and actively trained and encouraged thousands of demonstrators to use it to obstruct and interfere with the pipeline’s progress. Their actions went far beyond advocacy—they led, organized and directed a coordinated effort to trespass and impede lawful construction.
What were your key trial themes and how did you drive them home with the jury?
Trey Cox: We presented our key themes to the jury in visual form on a posterboard that read:
We Have Proved:
1. Greenpeace acted as one enterprise to stop DAPL at all costs.
2. Greenpeace’s deceptions: Codewords, anonymity, and amnesia.
3. Greenpeace powered camp, funded professional trainers and organized thousands of protestors, causing delay and expense.
4. Greenpeace delayed DAPL construction and disrupted shipper relationships.
5. Greenpeace spread malicious, deceptive stories about Energy Transfer.
6. Greenpeace sabotaged Energy Transfer’s banking relationships.
7. Greenpeace acted with malice throughout.
We had to use this board in closing because there were no graphics companies open over the weekend capable of owning this. So we went old-school—we used this board in closing and told the jury they could answer every question in the verdict form with these seven facts that we proved.
We drove these facts home with every witness we examined. We had documents from inside Greenpeace that supported and proved these points. Photos of the blockades and vandalism highlighted the destruction and delay resulting from the unlawful conduct. We also emphasized how Greenpeace witnesses refused to admit these facts taken from their own emails or take responsibility for their actions. Very few Greenpeace witnesses appeared at trial—a point we emphasized—so we included deposition clips of example after example of evasive answers.
What can others take from how Energy Transfer litigated this case?
Trey Cox: Energy Transfer is led by executives who have a strong sense of right and wrong. When they examined Greenpeace’s actions, they saw a clear line had been crossed. Greenpeace not only organized and funded physical attacks on the pipeline and its construction crews but also spread malicious and deceptive narratives about Energy Transfer and law enforcement in Morton County.
Energy Transfer refused to stand by. They chose to take a stand and fight for what they believed in. Filing this case was not a necessity—it was a decision rooted in principle. They didn’t have to invest the time and commit the resources that they did, but they knew they were right, and they had the evidence to back it up.
The damages awarded here appear to outstrip Greenpeace’s assets by an order of magnitude. What message should other non-profit organizations involved in protest activities take from this verdict?
Gregg Costa: The message is that this conduct by Greenpeace is not acceptable. This verdict serves as a powerful affirmation of the First Amendment, which we embraced during trial because peaceful protest is a vital American right. But violent destructive protest and spreading lies is unlawful and unacceptable. This verdict clearly conveys that when this right to peacefully protest is abused in a lawless and exploitative manner, such actions will result in liability and accountability. We must remain vigilant in safeguarding our freedoms and ensuring that they are exercised responsibly.
What will you remember about this trial?
Trey Cox: What I’ll remember most about this trial is the exceptional execution by our trial team. This case represents everything I set out to build in Texas—top-tier trial lawyers handling high-stakes cases. From the beginning, our goal has been to create the best trial practice in Texas, and this was a true Texas team. And every one of our lawyers, including a first-year associate, had a chance to stand up in court and perform.
We had a strong game plan, and every team member played a critical role, working seamlessly together. It was the most cohesive and high-performing trial team I’ve ever been a part of. This is exactly why I joined Gibson five years ago—to take on landmark cases like this with outstanding colleagues.
Collin Cox: I completely agree with Trey that our team made a difference. In addition, I’ll always remember what a privilege it was to try the case in North Dakota and work with so many great people in the state. We presented five law enforcement witnesses who served with distinction throughout the violent protests eight years ago. It was incredibly gratifying to give them a platform to tell their stories. Judge James Gion worked tirelessly to make the proceedings fair for everyone. He and his court staff worked with unfailing grace and good cheer in the midst of significant media attention and controversy (including attempts by Greenpeace to stop the trial midstream). And our jurors worked very hard. They took careful notes for three weeks and ultimately completed a 40-page verdict form. There’s no better moment in the law than waiting to hear the jury’s answer to the first question, and I’ll always remember the tension of that moment.
Gregg Costa: The verdict reaffirmed that trial by jury is the best way we’ve ever come up with to find the truth. That truth-finding function of trials is more important than ever in today’s world where lies spread so easily. No matter how many times I’ve seen it happen, I never lose the sense of awe seeing a group of citizens—who would likely disagree on so many issues in our society—carefully consider the evidence and all agree on what the truth is in a dispute. And being part of the special group of lawyers we had in this case fighting for the truth, well, that’s as good as it gets as a lawyer—it’s why you give up a lifetime appointment.
Reprinted with permission from the March 21, 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.
Orin Snyder sat down with The AmLaw Litigation Daily to discuss the firm’s strategic focus on trial readiness, the group’s recent high profile wins, and how meditation enhances his effectiveness as a litigator.
Read the full interview in The AmLaw Litigation Daily [PDF].
Trey Cox is the author of “What to Look for in a Litigation Law Firm: Insights for Junior Lawyers and Law Students” [PDF] published by Texas Lawyer on March 17, 2025.
Stephenie Gosnell Handler was named to the Foreign Investment Watch Top Advisors 2025 list, which recognizes “top advisors who provide advice and counsel concerning foreign investment and national security in the U.S. and abroad.”
Gibson Dunn is pleased to announce that two of London’s preeminent restructuring partners, Chris Howard and Presley Warner, have today joined the firm’s Business Restructuring and Reorganization Practice Group. Counsel Simone Benton and senior associate Matthew Squire will also be joining the firm.
Commenting on their arrival, Scott Greenberg, Global Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Business Restructuring and Reorganization Practice Group, said: “Chris and Presley are phenomenal additions to our amazing global team. Their arrival rounds out our restructuring practice in Europe, where they will work closely with our top-ranked teams in Paris and the U.S. and builds on our significant momentum and success in the European markets which continue to be very busy.”
“Gibson Dunn has an impressive and fast-growing global platform that provides top-level, integrated restructuring advice to clients across the U.K., Europe, and the U.S. The firm is ambitious — and with recent mandates including the largest restructuring in the world this year — it has every right to be,” said Chris.
“Gibson Dunn is an elite firm, and we are excited by the strength of its bench, ambitious plans for growth, and collegial culture,” Presley added.
Chris and Presley have worked on some of the highest-profile restructurings in Europe, including acting for the senior lenders on Cineworld’s Chapter 11 and U.K. restructuring plan, for the sponsors on Annington’s liability management transaction, for the sponsors on Ambatovy’s U.K. restructuring plan, for the senior lenders on the Markbygden restructuring, and for Fidera on Fuerst’s U.K. restructuring plan.
They also advised on financings for JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, and on event-driven financings such as Amgen’s $28 billion financing for its acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics. Chris and Presley are the co-authors of the definitive restructuring text, Restructuring Law & Practice.
The Gibson Dunn Business Restructuring and Reorganization Practice Group advises on the largest and most complex restructurings globally, dominating the market in the U.S. and Europe. It was named Lead Counsel in the league table for full-year 2024 in Debtwire’s Restructuring Advisory Mandates for North America. The group has significantly bolstered its offering globally over the past two years, with the arrival of partners Lisa Stevens (London), AnnElyse Gains (Washington, D.C.), Caith Kushner (New York), Ryan Kim (New York), and Melissa L. Barshop (Century City), and with the promotion of Stephen D. Silverman (New York) to partner.
About Chris Howard
Chris is a restructuring and finance lawyer, advising international corporations, investment and commercial banks, and financial sponsors on corporate restructurings and financings throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. He joins Gibson Dunn from another leading U.S. firm where he was Head of European Restructuring.
Widely acknowledged as one of the leading restructuring lawyers in London, Chris is ranked Band 1 for Restructuring/Insolvency in the U.K. by Chambers UK 2025, where he has been ranked for 21 years. He is described as “market leading,” “phenomenal,” and “the guy you want on your side of the table.” Chris is also ranked Band 1 for Restructuring/Insolvency in Chambers Europe and Chambers Global, as well as in the Hall of Fame for Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency in London by Legal 500 United Kingdom.
Chris earned his LLB from the University of Leeds, and an LLM in International Financial Law from the University of Manchester. He is admitted to practice in England and Wales, and in New York.
About Presley Warner
Presley is a restructuring and finance lawyer, advising international corporations, investment and commercial banks, and financial sponsors on corporate restructurings and financings throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. He joins Gibson Dunn from another leading U.S. firm where he was Head of European Credit and Leveraged Finance.
He is ranked as a leading lawyer for Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket work in the U.K. in Chambers UK, where he has been ranked for 21 years, as well as in Chambers Europe and Chambers Global. Presley is described as “extremely smart”, a “deal maker”, and a “great tactician.”
Presley earned his J.D. at the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto. He is admitted to practice in England and Wales, and in New York.
Gibson Dunn is pleased to announce that Michael Saliba has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in the Capital Markets Practice Group. Michael advises clients on a range of complex capital markets transactions, including registered and private equity financings such as high-yield debt, preferred stock, and other private credit transactions, and special situations and restructuring transactions.
“Michael’s broad-based finance practice perfectly aligns with the continued growth in our M&A, private equity, and restructuring practices, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Gibson Dunn,” said Andrew L. Fabens, Co-Partner in Charge of the New York office and Co-Chair of the firm’s Capital Markets Practice Group. “We are in a new world of capital markets. As U.S. markets rise and regulatory hurdles fall, deepening our premier transactional platform with an experienced, technically talented, and versatile capital markets lawyer like Michael will greatly benefit clients seeking to navigate today’s financing environment.”
“I’m delighted to begin the next chapter of my career alongside this extremely talented, collaborative, and elite Gibson Dunn team,” said Michael. “Gibson Dunn’s strength across key transactional areas, including capital markets, private credit, debt finance, and project finance offers the ideal platform to accelerate my practice. With the markets in growth mode, complexity in financing deal transactions is only expected to increase, making this an exciting time to be a capital markets lawyer.”
The firm’s transactional practices in New York have experienced significant synergistic growth with the addition of more than a dozen lateral partners over the past few years. Recent arrivals include private credit partner Ryan Kim, M&A partner George Sampas, private equity partner Brian Scrivani, and special situations partner Caith Kushner.
Gibson Dunn’s preeminent capital markets team provides a deep understanding of all complex capital markets deals for clients ranging from multinational corporations to startups, and from investment banks to private funds, across various industries and jurisdictions. This includes IPOs and other equity transactions, investment grade, high-yield, and other debt, converts, preferred stock, PIPEs, and liability management transactions.
About Michael Saliba
Michael has developed a wide-ranging practice advising issuers, underwriters, sponsors, and investors on a range of complex domestic and cross-border capital markets and hybrid finance transactions. He also regularly counsels clients on a variety of corporate and securities law matters, as well as high-yield debt covenant and debt structuring analyses.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Michael served as a partner at another leading international law firm. He earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2007.
The Denver Business Journal named Christine Ranney to its 2025 40 Under 40 list, which honors “40 rising stars in the local business world who have distinguished themselves in their companies, their communities, and their industries.”
The Daily Journal named Kevin Rosen among its 2025 Top Professional Responsibility Lawyers in California. The annual list honors “the top performing attorneys in legal malpractice matters and ethics.”
Shout-out to a Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher team led by James Fogelman and Gabriel Herrmann. Last week, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho in Manhattan dismissed a guaranty-enforcement action against their clients, Gregg Schenker and Steven Hornstock, that was brought in connection with a $23.5 million commercial real estate loan. On top of the dismissal, the judge also hit the plaintiff, Cerco Bridge Loans 6 LLC, and its counsel at Fox Rothschild with sanctions of more than $28,000 and $67,000, respectively, after Cerco CEO Peter Cervinka failed to appear at two depositions.
The Gibson Dunn team on the matter includes partners Drew Flowers and Matthew Kahn and associates Diane Chan, Michael Klurfeld, Ritchie Vaughan and Hayato Watanabe.
To read complete article visit Law.com (subscription required)
Reprinted with permission from the March 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 is advising Publicis Groupe on its acquisition of Lotame, the world’s leading independent identity solution.
The Gibson Dunn corporate team is led by partner Quinton Farrar and includes associates Colette McNeela and Kira Dennis.
Gibson Dunn advised Crestview Partners on its acquisition of Smyth Companies, a premier, full-service provider of pressure sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, in-mold labels, glue-applied labels, and flexible packaging, from Novacap.
The Gibson Dunn corporate team was led by partner Alexander Fine and included of counsel Daisy Wu and associate Kyle Ezring. Partner Darius Mehraban, of counsel Jason Durschlag, and associate Matthew Ross advised on financing. Partner Matt Donnelly and associate Hayden Theis advised on tax aspects, and partner Michael Collins advised on benefits.
Partner Meghan Hungate and associates Sarah Scharf and Mona Mosavi advised on IP and data privacy aspects. Partner Christopher Timura and associates Chris Mullen and Karsten Ball advised on international trade aspects. Partner Michael Murphy and associate Phil Washburn advised on environmental aspects. Partner Kimberly Schlanger and associate To Nhu Huynh advised on real estate aspects.
Gibson Dunn advised Serena Williams, one of the world’s most celebrated athletes, in the acquisition of an ownership stake in the Toronto Tempo, the first Canadian Women’s National Basketball Association team.
The Gibson Dunn corporate team was led by partner Kevin Masuda and included associates Irina Dykhne and Joey Herman. Partner A.J. Frey and associate Kevin Lafferty advised on investment funds aspects.
Gibson Dunn is pleased to announce the expansion of the firm’s International Arbitration Practice Group with the addition of Patrick W. Pearsall as a partner in Washington, D.C. Patrick is a leading lawyer in the areas of international arbitration and public international law who served in the U.S. State Department for nearly a decade working on economic diplomacy and departed as the Chief of Investment Arbitration. Since leaving government, Patrick has developed a robust practice advising multinational corporations and sovereign states on a variety of cross-border matters. He regularly appears before tribunals around the world. He is also regularly called upon by business leaders to advise on strategic political issues and disputes, or potential disputes, with governments (including the U.S. government). His practice will focus on international arbitration, complex commercial disputes, investment protection, public international law, and geopolitical crisis management.
“We are thrilled to welcome Patrick to Gibson Dunn,” said Rahim Moloo, Co-Chair of the firm’s International Arbitration Practice Group. “I have known Patrick for many years. He is well-respected because of his thoughtful counsel and rich experience. His experience includes advising and acting for businesses and states alike in their most challenging matters. That experience adds even greater depth to Gibson Dunn’s leading international disputes offering. Especially in today’s environment, Patrick will help us provide our clients with the perspective they need to effectively deal with their most challenging global disputes.”
“I am excited to join the Gibson Dunn team,” said Patrick. “We are in a moment of change unseen in our lifetimes and clients are now, more than ever, looking for strategic partners who will help them navigate this increasingly complex and dynamic environment. Gibson Dunn is a destination for clients with high-profile, high-stakes international issues that need careful thought and attention.”
Recognized leaders in the field of international arbitration, Gibson Dunn is a “go-to” firm for complex and high-value disputes. With more than 100 lawyers across 17 offices, the firm’s International Arbitration Practice Group seamlessly advises leading multinational corporations and sovereign states in proceedings before tribunals around the world. The team provides top-tier international arbitration capabilities in commercial and investor-state disputes, alongside cutting-edge arbitral award and judgment enforcement strategies and solutions.
About Patrick Pearsall
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Patrick led the disputes practice for the western hemisphere at an international law firm. For nearly a decade (2009-2017), he was a senior lawyer at the U.S. Department of State and departed as the Chief of Investment Arbitration. In addition to his representations, Patrick was on a drafting committee for revision of the International Chamber of Commerce Rules, was advisor on the revision of the American Arbitration Association Rules, and led the negotiations of several bilateral and multilateral treaties on behalf of the U.S. Government.
Patrick has extensive experience representing Fortune 500 companies and sovereign states in complex commercial contract and investment disputes. In addition to his commercial work, he is often called upon to assist companies and executives struggling with exposure from a geopolitical crisis. Accordingly, he is ranked by various directories as a leader in both international arbitration and public international law.
In 2022, Patrick was asked to create a reparations program for Ukraine. He holds a presidential appointment from Ukraine and is recognized as the principal architect of the Register of Damage for Ukraine now operating through the Council of Europe at The Hague. Patrick directs the International Claims and Reparations Project at Columbia Law School, where he is an adjunct professor.
Barry Berke and Mylan Denerstein were named to City & State New York’s 2025 Law Power 100, which recognizes “the leaders of the legal world in New York.”
Jake Shields, Michael Dziuban and Danilo Risteski are the authors of “Assessing PE Risk After Mass. False Claims Act Amendments” [PDF] published by Law360 on February 28, 2025.
Gibson Dunn advised Kraft Heinz Foods Company, as issuer, and The Kraft Heinz Company, as guarantor, on the issuance of $1 billion of USD-denominated senior notes and €600 million of Euro- denominated notes.
The proceeds of the offerings will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of outstanding indebtedness. Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC acted as joint book-running managers for the USD offering and Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, and J.P. Morgan Securities plc acted as joint book-running managers for the Euro offering.
The Gibson Dunn team was led by partners Andrew Fabens and Robert Giannattasio and included associates Nneka Chukwumah and Kevin Mills. Partner Pamela Lawrence Endreny and associate Galya Savir advised on tax aspects, and partner Michael Collins advised on benefits.
The Supreme Court issued a unanimous win for Gibson Dunn client Dewberry Group in a landmark opinion addressing available profits-related remedies under the Lanham Act. The Act provides that a prevailing trademark plaintiff may, “subject to the principles of equity,” recover the “defendant’s profits.” 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a). In this trademark dispute between Dewberry Group and Dewberry Engineering, the district court ordered Dewberry Group to disgorge nearly $43 million in profits realized only by its legally distinct corporate affiliates, which weren’t parties to the case. After a divided Fourth Circuit panel affirmed the award, the Supreme Court granted review. And after argument (Tom Hungar argued for Dewberry Group), the Court vacated the entire award in a 9–0 opinion authored by Justice Kagan.
The Supreme Court emphatically rejected the basis on which the lower courts had defended the award, which had ordered Dewberry Group to disgorge the profits earned by its distinct affiliates. The Court’s opinion confirms that because the Lanham Act permits disgorgement only of the “defendant’s” profits, courts may not lump in the profits earned by non-parties—because doing so would require the court to disregard corporate formalities and treat distinct entities as if they were one and the same.
The Court’s opinion confirms the vital importance of respecting corporate separateness, allowing companies to structure their work and anticipate their liability in a sensible and predictable manner. Its holding will also reverberate beyond the Lanham Act to many other statutory schemes that permit parties to seek disgorgement and other remedies from defendants found liable.
The Gibson Dunn team included partners Tom Hungar, Helgi Walker, and Jonathan Bond, and associates Patrick Fuster, Matt Aidan Getz, and Christian Talley.
The case is Dewberry Group Inc. v. Dewberry Engineers Inc., No. 23-900 (S. Ct.)
Shout-out to a Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher team led by Thomas Hungar, Helgi Walker and Jonathan Bond that won a unanimous decision at the U.S. Supreme Court for their client Dewberry Group tossing out a $43 million award in a long-running trademark dispute with competing real-estate development company Dewberry Engineers. The court rejected the lower courts’ treatment of Dewberry Group and its affiliates “as a single corporate entity” for purposes of calculating profits, and remanded the case for new award proceedings. “By treating those entities as one and the same, the courts below approved an award including non-defendants’ profits—and thus went further than the Lanham Act permits,” wrote Justice Elena Kagan.
To read complete article visit Law.com (subscription required)
Reprinted with permission from the February 28, 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 is pleased to announce that Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) agency veteran Mellissa Campbell Duru has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance Practice Group. Mellissa’s practice will focus on advising clients on a broad range of SEC disclosure and compliance and corporate governance matters, including domestic and cross-border M&A advisory matters, strategic shareholder engagement, climate risk and compliance disclosures, and cybersecurity governance and incident reporting.
“We are excited to welcome Mellissa to our preeminent team,” said Elizabeth A. Ising, Co-Chair of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance Practice Group. “With over 18 years of combined SEC and Division of Corporation Finance experience, Mellissa adds further depth to our market-leading practice. Mellissa has extensive firsthand knowledge of and oversaw recently enacted SEC disclosure requirements and interpretative positions. Her public and private sector experience advising companies will be invaluable to clients as they navigate current SEC requirements and anticipated changes. I’ve known Mellissa for many years, and her reputation as a hands-on, thoughtful, and engaged advisor precedes her. I am so pleased to now call her a colleague.”
“I am absolutely thrilled to join Gibson Dunn,” said Mellissa. “The depth of SEC experience at Gibson Dunn and its unique, stand-alone Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance platform are truly extraordinary. It was a privilege to have worked with the talented staff at the SEC; I am excited to now work alongside my talented colleagues at Gibson Dunn.”
Gibson Dunn’s Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance Practice Group regularly represents Fortune 100 and 500 companies on a variety of disclosure and regulatory issues, corporate governance issues, and shareholder matters. The firm has a deep bench of senior SEC alumni and longstanding relationships with the stock exchanges and the proxy advisory and governance-rating services.
Gibson Dunn continues to add premier legal talent from government amid an unprecedented period of strategic expansion in the firm’s history. Recent additions include Osman Nawaz, former SEC Enforcement Senior Officer and National Unit Chief; Jake M. Shields, former Senior Trial Counsel in the Fraud Section of the Civil Division at the U.S. Department of Justice; Katlin McKelvie, who joined after serving senior roles at the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services; and Stuart Delery, former White House Counsel.
About Mellissa Campbell Duru
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Mellissa was a senior officer and Deputy Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, Legal Regulatory Policy at the SEC. As Deputy Director, Mellissa oversaw the Office of Mergers & Acquisitions, Office of International Corporation Finance, Office of Small Business Policy, Office of Structured Finance, and the Office of Rulemaking. Prior to serving in this role, Mellissa was counsel and a Vice-co-chair of the ESG practice in private practice at an international law firm.
Mellissa also served in several roles at the SEC from 2004 to 2021, including Counsel to then-Commissioner Kara Stein, Special Counsel in the Division of Corporation Finance’s Office of Mergers and Acquisitions, and Cybersecurity Legal and Policy Advisor in the Division of Examinations.
Throughout her career, Mellissa’s experience has focused on the Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934; public company reporting obligations; registered business combination transactions and contested solicitations, domestic and cross-border tender offers, going-private transactions, beneficial ownership reporting, and advising on strategic shareholder engagement and activism trends; corporate governance; environmental, social and governance advisory work; and cybersecurity governance, preparedness, and incident reporting.
Mellissa earned her law degree from Harvard Law School in 1999.