Daniel Angel is a partner in the New York office of Gibson Dunn. Daniel is Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Technology Transactions Practice Group and a member of its Strategic Sourcing and Commercial Transactions Practice Group. He is a transactional lawyer who has represented clients on technology-related transactions since 2003. Daniel has worked with a broad variety of clients ranging from market leaders to start-ups in a wide range of industries including financial services, private equity funds, life sciences, specialty chemicals, insurance, energy and telecommunications.

Daniel is ranked by Chambers and Partners for his work on corporate technology transactions. He has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (2020-2025) in Technology Law, IFLR1000, listed in The Legal 500 U.S. as a “Next Generation” lawyer in Outsourcing and Technology Transactions, and in Super Lawyers as a New York Metro Rising Star. Chambers notes Daniel “really knows the subject matter” and describes him as “smart and entrepreneurial” and a “superlative lawyer, very thoughtful and user-friendly.”

Technology Transactions Practice

In this area, Daniel focuses on the development, acquisition, licensing and exploitation of intellectual property. He has substantial experience in patent licensing and cross-licensing agreements, the development and licensing of software, technology development and collaboration arrangements, content licensing and trademark licensing and co-branding agreements. He also regularly advises clients on intellectual property and information technology issues in connection with corporate transactions, including private equity representations, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buy-outs and distressed lending. His experience includes negotiating and documenting intellectual property and information technology representations and warranties, complex transition services agreements, transitional trademark licensing arrangements and technology-related joint ventures and strategic alliances.

Strategic Sourcing and Commercial Transactions Practice

In this area, Daniel focuses on representing clients on legal and business issues relating to complex international outsourcing transactions, including structuring, negotiating and documenting information technology and business process outsourcing transactions. His information technology experience includes the outsourcing of numerous IT functions, including infrastructure, applications development and maintenance, end-user computing, help desk, desktop and network operations and his business process outsourcing experience includes the outsourcing of middle and back office financial services processes, facility management functions, insurance claims processing, human resources, payroll processing, finance and accounting functions and procurement. Daniel also regularly represents clients on general commercial contracting arrangements, including supply and distribution agreements, co-packing arrangements, manufacturing agreements and servicing arrangements.

Daniel received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from Villanova University in 1995 and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Tulane University School of Law in 2003 where he was the editor-in-chief of the International and Comparative Law Journal. In 2002, Daniel served as a judicial extern for Judge Jay C. Zainey at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. He has been a member of the New York Bar since 2004 and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York since 2005. Daniel is currently in the third year of a three-year rotation as a member of the Trademarks and Unfair Competition Committee at the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and is a member of the Intellectual Property Committee at the American Bar Association.

Speaking Engagements

  • Presenter, “Gibson Dunn Webcast: Spinning Out and Splitting Off – Navigating Complex Challenges in Corporate Separations,” (October 30, 2018).
  • Presenter, “IP Issues in Outsourcing,” Lawline (April 22, 2015).
  • Presenter, “Pricing and Financial Structures,” PLI’s Outsourcing: Structuring, Negotiation and Governance (Chicago, 2012).
  • Presenter, “Pricing and Financial Structures,” PLI’s Outsourcing: Structuring, Negotiation and Governance (New York, 2011).

Michael Cannon is a tax partner in the Dallas office of Gibson Dunn.

Michael has significant experience with the tax aspects of mergers and acquisition transactions, and has represented both buyers and sellers in a number of transactions, both public and private, including cross-border matters. He also dedicates a significant part of his practice to transactions and offerings in the energy and infrastructure space, including oil and gas, MLP and renewable energy (solar and wind) transactions (both on the sponsor side and on the tax-equity side). He also represents investment fund sponsors in connection with tax structuring matters, and has particular expertise with oil and gas, real estate and infrastructure funds. Michael also has substantial experience in representing real estate investors and sponsors in a wide variety of transactions, including complex joint ventures.

Michael has been recognized by Chambers USA in Tax (2024-2025), The Best Lawyers in America in Tax Law (2024-2025) and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™ in Tax Law (2021-2023).

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Michael served as a law clerk for several years, first for the Honorable Justice Thomas Rex Lee of the Utah Supreme Court and then for the Honorable Thomas B. Griffith of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Michael earned his Juris Doctor summa cum laude from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, graduating first in his class. While attending law school, he served as a Lead Articles Editor of the Brigham Young University Law Review and published three articles in the Law Review. He also received a number of awards, including the John S. Welch Award for Outstanding Legal Writing, the Law School’s premier writing award, and the Hugh B. Brown Barrister’s Award, which is presented to one third year student in recognition of high standards of preparation and performance in the classroom. His academic performance led to his election to the Order of the Coif. Prior to law school, he graduated summa cum laude from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University, with a Bachelor of Science in accounting.

Michael is admitted to the bar of the State of Texas. Michael was recognized for obtaining the second highest score on the July 2012 Texas Bar Exam.

John M. Pollack is Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Private Equity Practice Group, where he advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on U.S. and cross-border transactions. He is one of the leaders of the Aerospace & Defense Practice Group and also serves on the Finance Committee of Gibson Dunn.

John was named one of the 2025 Dealmakers of the Year by The American Lawyer. This recognition underscores why clients consistently go to John for the most critical solutions for their highest-leverage needs. John was also named as one of the Top Technology Lawyers in North America FY 2024 by MergerLinks. John has been recognized as a leader in his field by Chambers USA, which praised him for being “fantastic to work with, very bright and very attentive to detail.” He is consistently ranked by The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, and has been recognized as one of the “500 Leading Lawyers in America” by Lawdragon.

He represents clients in a number of industries including Aerospace and Defense. He has advised private equity sponsors, strategic investors, and defense companies on complex transactions and risk management in highly regulated industries.

John’s private equity clients have included and include Veritas Capital, Liberty Hall Capital Partners, OceanSound Partners, Lupa Systems, Cerberus Capital Management , and Motive Partners. Recent transactions that he has led include:

  • the representation of Veritas Capital in connection with certain M&A transactions, including:
    • the pending acquisition of Global Healthcare Exchange, a leading supply chain software platform powering mission-critical connectivity between healthcare providers and suppliers, including governance arrangements involving Warburg and Temasek,
    • the $2.45 billion acquisition of NCR Voyix’s cloud-based digital banking business,
    • the $10.5 billion acquisition of Cotiviti with KKR and the acquisition by Cotiviti of Edifecs (owned by Francisco Partners and TA Associates),
    • the $3.1 billion acquisition of the Wood Mackenzie business from Verisk,
    • the acquisition of the CAES business (now Frontgrade) from Cobham (owned by Advent) and Frontgrade’s subsequent acquisition of Aethercomm and IDSI,
    • the acquisition of Sequa Corporation (now Chromalloy) from entities affiliated with Carlyle Partners, and
    • the acquisition by Finalsite of the Blackboard K-12 division of Anthology,
  • the representation of Liberty Hall Capital Partners and its portfolio companies on various M&A transactions, including
    • the acquisition of Paxia, a provider of cloud-based airline catering management software, from Teleo Capital Management,
    • the acquisition by Accurus Aerospace of Ferra Holdings,
    • the sale of OnBoard Systems to Arcline Investment Management,
    • the sale of AIM Aerospace to Sekisui Chemical for $510 million,
    • the sale of Aircraft Performance Group to AFV Partners, and
    • the acquisition of Comply365 from Luminate Capital Partners and subsequent combination of Comply365 with Vistair and related investment by Insight Partners,
  • the representation of OceanSound Partners and its portfolio companies on various M&A transactions, including
    • the acquisition of Antenna Research Associates, a leading provider of integrated radio frequency (“RF”) and advanced communications products to the aerospace and defense (“A&D”) end-markets,
    • the acquisition of DMI and related add-on acquisitions (including the sale of its commercial business to Encora (owned by Advent and Warburg Pincus)), and
    • the acquisition of SMX and related add-on transactions,
  • the representation of Lupa Systems (James Murdoch’s family office) on various M&A matters, including the acquisition of majority control of the parent company of the Tribeca Film Festival and its add-on acquisition of m ss ng p eces production company.

John has also represented various public companies in change of control transactions, including former Veritas portfolio company Aeroflex Holding Corp. in its $1.5 billion sale to Cobham plc, former Veritas portfolio company Dyncorp International in its $1.5 billion sale to Cerberus Capital and Charming Shoppes in its $900 million sale to Ascena Retail Group.*

John graduated magna cum laude from The George Washington University and The George Washington University Law School, the latter bestowing upon him High Honors, Order of the Coif and an award for Highest Overall Proficiency in Securities Law.

He also serves on GW Elliott School of International Affairs and The George Washington University Law School Board of Advisors, as well as is a member of the Law School’s Center for Law, Economics & Finance (C-LEAF) Advisory Board.  

*Representations were made by John prior to his association with Gibson Dunn.

Michael De Voe Piazza is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Houston office, and serves as Co-Chair of both the U.S. Private Equity Practice and GP Solutions Practice. Michael focuses his private equity practice on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and equity and debt offerings, including control, minority and preferred investments and structured equity and asset-level investments and financings. He regularly represents clients in the financial, oil and gas, energy transition and power sectors. Michael represented two of the largest E&P continuation funds ever, and routinely works with both private equity sponsors and portfolio companies in the oil and gas industry. He has significant experience advising private equity funds and other financial sponsors in “GP stakes” transactions, seeding arrangements, asset management M&A, leveraged buyouts, portfolio company investments and fund formation projects. Michael also has developed expertise in transactions involving the wealth management industry, the mineral and royalty business, the renewable fuels business, volumetric production payments and “DrillCo” structures.

Michael is a nationally ranked lawyer with deep expertise in his field. Clients have commented “Michael is very business-oriented, has a strong pulse on the market, and is able to take complex issues and questions and put them in digestible formats,” (Chambers 2025). In 2025, Michael was recognized as the leading M&A deal lawyer by deal count in the State of Texas and Michael was also recognized as Energy & Industrials Dealmaker of the Year at The Deal’s Middle Market Awards in 2020. In 2015, he was one of only seven lawyers under the age of 40 to be named a “Rising Star” by Law360 in the area of Energy. It was his third consecutive “Rising Star” honor. In 2013, Michael was also named a “Legal Leader on the Rise” by Texas Lawyer.

Chambers Global (2025) ranks Michael among the leading individuals practicing in the areas of Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) in the United States and Chambers USA (2025) ranks Michael in the areas of Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) for Nationwide, and Private Equity: Buyouts and Corporate/M&A in Texas. One client emphasized Michael’s “deep understanding of the private equity industry” and “impeccable client service” and remarked: “His attention to detail, commercial awareness and ability to manage nuanced processes are extremely valuable to our business.”

Before joining Gibson Dunn, Michael was a partner at an international law firm, where he served as Co-Head of the firm’s Energy practice and Co-Managing Partner of its Houston office.

Michael graduated from Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, in 2008 and received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, magna cum laude, in 2001.

Michael’s experience includes:*

Recent Representative Transactions

  • Represented Capital Constellation, a fund managed by Wafra, Inc., in (i) its strategic investment in Citation Capital, a private equity firm specializing in partnering with founder- and family-led businesses, (ii) its strategic investment in Greenbelt Capital Partners, a private equity firm targeting private equity, infrastructure development and late-stage growth opportunities, (iii) its $150 million strategic partnership with Ara Partners Group, whereby Capital Constellation acquired a substantial minority ownership interest in Ara Partners and provided the firm and its affiliates with significant investment capital, (iv) its sale of its minority stake in Ara Partners to Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. and (v) its significant equity investment in, and capital commitment to, Pollen Street Capital, a UK-based asset manager focused on the financial and business sectors in the UK and Europe
  • Represented Affiliated Managers Group, a global asset manager, on its acquisition of a strategic minority ownership interest in NorthBridge Partners, a real estate investment management firm
  • Represented IPI Partners, LLC, a digital infrastructure fund manager, in connection with the sale of its business to Blue Owl Capital Inc., a leading alternative asset manager, for a purchase price of approximately $1 billion
  • Represented HighPost Capital, LLC in connection with the sale of a controlling interest to Azimut Group, via its U.S. subsidiary Azimut Alternative Capital Partners LLC, one of Europe’s largest independent asset managers
  • Represented Carnelian Energy Capital Management in connection with (i) Ridgemar Energy, LLC’s acquisition of Callon Petroleum’s Eagle Ford business for $655 million and (ii) Percussion Petroleum II, LLC’s sale to Callon Petroleum in a cash and stock transaction involving consideration of $475 million
  • Represented Oak Street Real Estate Capital in its $1.6 billion acquisition by Blue Owl Capital
  • Represented Oaktree Capital Management L.P. in connection with (i) its $2 billion strategic partnership with an affiliate of Diversified Energy Company to jointly identify and acquire producing oil and gas assets in the continental United States, (ii) its agreement to sell its interests in certain oil and natural gas assets to Diversified Energy for $410 million, (iii) multiple joint acquisitions with Diversified Energy Company, including its substantial acquisition from Tapstone Energy Holdings and a related party, (iv) its joint ABS transaction with Diversified Energy Company and (v) its sale of all of its joint venture assets to Diversified Energy Company
  • Represented Constellation Wealth Capital in (i) its preferred equity investment in AlTi Global, Inc, as part of a $450 million investment made by CWC and Allianz X, (ii) its acquisition of a minority stake in Lido Advisors, a wealth management firm with greater than $19 billion in assets under management, (iii) its acquisition of a minority stake in Alphacore, a wealth management firm with over $2.5 billion assets under management, (iv) its acquisition of a minority stake in Merit Financial Advisors, a wealth management firm and (v) its minority investments in Avior Wealth Management, LLC, Bogart Wealth, LLC, Procyon Enterprise LLC and Requisite Capital Management LLC, each an independent wealth management firm with significant assets under management
  • Represented Esperanza Capital Management in (i) its strategic partnership with Cockrell to create a platform to make acquisitions of assets and businesses in the Gulf of Mexico and (ii) its joint acquisition, with Andros Capital Partners, of ExxonMobil’s assets in the ursa and Princess Fields of the Gulf of Mexico and on the formation of a strategic joint venture focused on the acquisition and development of upstream and infrastructure assets in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico
  • Represented Sammons Financial Group in (i) its strategic partnership with Northrock Partners, a wealth management firm with more than $5 billion in assets under management and (ii) on its acquisition of Wealthcare, a Registered Investment Advisor firm and platform services provider
  • Represented Andros Capital Partners in (i) each of its inaugural $250 million energy fund targeting flexible capital investments, its $750 million second energy fund targeting flexible capital investments and its $1 billion third energy fund targeting flexible capital investments, (ii) its $150 million Permian Basin drilling joint venture with MPDC, (iii) its $122 million acquisition of mineral and royalty interests from an undisclosed seller and (iv) its participation, as a lead investor, in a $1.6 billion continuation fund with respect to HG Energy
  • Represented lead investors of a private equity consortium in connection with the acquisition of Verdad Resources from Ares
  • Represented Beemok Capital in its acquisition of the Western & Southern Open from the United States Tennis Association
  • Represented Lime Rock Partners in its investments in (i) Prairie Energy, (ii) multiple San Jacinto Minerals platforms, (iii) Wayfinder Resources and (iv) Axis Energy Services
  • Represented (i) Avolta LLC in its joint venture with Energy Capital Partners with respect to a joint venture to develop renewable natural gas products and (ii) Nacelle Logistics, LLC, a leading provider of RNG O&M and gas conditioning services, in connection with its investment from Energy Capital Partners
  • Represented Devon Energy, as lead investor, in a $244 million funding of Fervo Energy, a leading geothermal development business
  • Represented USD Clean Fuels, a leading developer of logistics infrastructure in North America for the renewable fuels value chain, in its sale of a majority interest to Ara Partners
  • Represented Carnelian Energy Management in connection with multiple equity commitments to upstream oil and gas companies, including SandPoint Resources, LLC, Veritas Permian II, LLC and Percussion Petroleum
  • Represented JP Morgan in its $220 million volumetric production payment transaction to Antero Resources

Other Representative Transactions

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Represented Juniper Capital in its creation of North Peak Oil & Gas through the combination of two existing portfolio companies and a substantial acquisition from a private oil and gas company
  • Represented Veritas Energy and Carnelian Energy Capital Management in the sale of Permian Basin assets to Northern Oil and Gas for $406.5 million
  • Represented Lime Rock Partners VIII, L.P. and its portfolio company San Juan Offshore LLC in a management-led buyout of all of Arena Energy, LP’s Gulf of Mexico assets out of bankruptcy
  • Represented Juniper Capital in its $188 million strategic investment in independent oil and gas company Penn Virginia
  • Represented Springbok in the sale of mineral and royalty interests to Kimbell Royalty Partners for $175 million
  • Represented Samson Resources II, LLC in the $215 million sale of its Powder River Basin Assets to Continental Resources
  • Represented Hilcorp Energy Company in connection with its acquisition of all of the Alaska oil and gas assets of a Chevron subsidiary, including interests in multiple offshore and onshore fields, gas storage facilities, numerous drilling rigs and tank farms
  • Represented a private equity natural resources fund in connection with its acquisition of upstream oil and gas assets located in the Williston Basin in exchange for its issuance to the sellers of preferred equity interests in a special purpose vehicle formed to acquire the underlying oil and gas assets
  • Represented Millennial Energy Partners in a variety of investments in non-operated oil and gas assets across the continental United States, including its joint venture with Continental Resources and its exits to private equity backed portfolio companies
  • Represented privately held oil and gas company in its sale of its crude oil trucking business to an MLP
  • Represented a Fortune 500 US energy company in the $230 million acquisition of a power facility and negotiation of subsequent joint operating arrangements
  • Represented a leading financial institution in connection with its acquisition of a substantial commodity trading book
  • Represented an independent power developer in its sale of a mid-stage development project in the State of Texas
  • Represented a strategic participant in its bid for British Gas’s portfolio of gas-fired power generation assets located in New England, ultimately purchased by a private equity fund for approximately $450 million

Private Equity and Joint Venture Investments

  • Represented Houston Energy in the formation of HEQ Deepwater and HEQ Deepwater II, with Quantum Energy, with more than $500 million of total equity capital commitments
  • Represented Post Oak Energy Capital, LP, as investor in the PIPE transaction as part of Earthstone Energy’s approximately $860 million acquisition of Bighorn Permian Resources’ assets
  • Represented Trace Capital and its portfolio companies Horizon Resources, Live Oak Resource Partners and Haymaker Minerals & Royalties in a variety of transactions, including investments by Trace Capital in certain of these portfolio companies
  • Represented Black Knight Energy, a private energy company formed to pursue the acquisition and development of large, cash flowing oil and natural gas assets across the lower 48 states, and its management team in its $500 million equity commitment from Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors
  • Represented OneNexus Environmental, a financial technology energy company, in its strategic partnership with BlackGold Capital Management to provide asset retirement solutions to oil and gas companies
  • Represented the management team of AltaMar Energy in connection with the formation of AltaMar Energy, LLC and a line of equity commitment from Carnelian Energy Capital III, L.P.
  • Represented the management team of Hawthorne Energy in connection with the formation of Hawthorne Energy, LLC and a line of equity commitment from Carnelian Energy Capital III, L.P.
  • Represented management team in connection with the formation of Percussion Petroleum II, LLC and equity commitment from Carnelian Energy Capital
  • Represented a private US developer and operator in the equity financing of two renewable natural gas projects, each related to developing and constructing a waste-to-energy facility at an industrial scale dairy farm
  • Represented Denham Capital Management LP in its development of an equity line commitment structure for portfolio companies investing in mineral and royalty interests, including Denham’s equity line commitments to Bradford Minerals and Horizon Resources
  • Represented Lime Rock Partners in its recapitalization of TEC Well Services, an oilfield service company with primary operations in West Texas, East Texas and Colorado focused on providing a full suite of well service rigs and ancillary rental equipment to E&P operators
  • Represented Lime Rock in its recapitalization of SDI Gas, a Marcellus oilfield services company
  • Represented Riverbend Oil & Gas in a variety of fund formation, joint venture and strategic partnerships, including Fund VI, Fund VIII and Fund IX
  • Represented management of Lambda Energy Resources in its strategic partnership with Redbird Capital to acquire and develop assets in the Michigan Basin
  • Represented a global private equity fund in a $200 million joint venture with a strategic midstream participant for purposes of acquiring midstream transportation and logistics assets in Louisiana, together with related debt and equity acquisition financing arrangements
  • Represented upstream oil and gas portfolio company in an Eagle Ford Shale joint venture covering undeveloped properties that featured 100% carry consideration
  • Represented Millennial Energy Partners in its fund formation and related arrangements
  • Represented Live Oak Resources in the establishment of its private equity firm and its initial private equity fund, which is focused on acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests
  • Represented Live Oak Resource Partners in multiple strategic partnerships with Denham Capital Management LP and certain co-investors to target investments in mineral and royalty interests in the continental United States
  • Represented Sage Road Capital in multiple portfolio company investments, including its investments in K3 Oil & Gas, Woodford Petroleum and Peachridge Energy Partners
  • Represented Titus Oil & Gas in its line of equity commitment from NGP in connection with the formation of an investment platform targeting oil and gas acquisitions in the Permian Basin
  • Represented upstream oil and gas portfolio company in its cash and carry joint venture covering oil and gas properties located in the State of Mississippi
  • Represented Triple Crown Energy in a variety of transactions, including a cash and carry joint venture covering properties located in the State of Kansas and sales of mineral properties located in the Utica Shale and the STACK play in Oklahoma
  • Represented an energy fund in connection with a $400 million joint venture in the Marcellus Shale
  • Represented Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts in connection with a Permian Basin drilling joint venture that featured a complicated farmout arrangement
  • Represented Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts in connection with a uniquely structured Fort Worth Basin upstream oil and gas joint venture
  • Represented a Canadian private equity group in connection with a structured oil and gas joint venture that featured acquisition financing

Energy Finance

  • Represented a Second Lien Agent in connection with the Chapter 11 restructuring of Samson Resources Corporation
  • Represented numerous financial institutions in acquisitions of volumetric production payments from exploration and production companies, ranging from $40 million to $1.2 billion and covering both onshore and offshore oil and gas assets, including various shale plays
  • Represented multiple western oil and gas companies in reserve-based loan facilities ranging from $25 million to $500 million
  • Represented Melody Capital Partners in connection with a mezzanine oil and gas loan made to a privately held parent of a Texas-based oil and gas company that featured an issuance of warrants and a bespoke arrangement with the first lien lender
  • Represented a club of investors comprised of a variety of financial institutions, including private equity funds, mezzanine lenders, hedge funds, and investment banks in connection with the club’s acquisition from a publicly traded oil and gas company of a $140 million dollar-denominated production payment and perpetual overriding royalty burdening offshore oil and gas assets
  • Represented mezzanine lenders in the financing of oil and gas exploration activities, including a $150 million mezzanine financing covering certain properties located in the Marcellus Shale and Montana
  • Represented numerous independent oil and gas companies in connection with senior secured borrowing base revolving credit facilities

Trading, Project Development and Operational Matters

  • Represented an independent oil and gas company with assets located in the Barnett Shale “Combo Play” in connection with acquisitions, development and operational matters, monetization efforts, upstream and midstream joint ventures and a corporate reorganization
  • Represented an independent company with gas storage and oil and gas assets located in Texas in connection with its day-to-day operations, its implementation of a first lien credit facility, and the development, implementation and coordination of comprehensive land program, including title curative matters
  • Represented independent power developers in development of power generation facilities located in Texas, including joint ventures with strategic participants and private equity investors
  • Represented an international energy company in connection with its purchase of an early stage power development project in Texas and related development matters, including select environmental, public relations and regulatory issues
  • Represented utilities and energy companies in connection with long-term power purchase agreements with respect to coal, petcoke, gas-fired and biomass power generation facilities
  • Represented a wind power developer in connection with its implementation and administration of a comprehensive power-hedging program for a portfolio of its generation assets
  • Represented multiple financial institutions in developing and negotiating both financial and physical commodity trading contracts

Selected Professional and Business Activities

Michael is a member of the Houston Bar Association and the Houston Young Lawyers Association. In 2015, Michael was elected as a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Selected Publications and Lectures

  • Panelist, “M&A Perspectives” Telluride Executive Series sponsored by Daniel Energy Partners, June 2025
  • Moderator, “PE Energy Trends”, Telluride Executive Series sponsored by Daniel Energy Partners, June 2024
  • “Energy Private Equity: Navigating Energy Transition Investments”, Texas Energy Forum 2023, August 2023
  • Panelist, “Capital Markets and PE Energy Trends”, Telluride Executive Series sponsored by Daniel Energy Partners, June 2023
  • Panelist, “The Role of Private Equity in Energy Transition”, Institute for Energy Law’s Annual Energy Law Conference, February 2023
  • Panelist, “M&A and Capital Markets Outlook”, Telluride Executive Series sponsored by Daniel Energy Partners, June 2022
  • Moderator, “Infrastructure in the Permian Basin”, 2022 EIC Investor Conference, May 2022
  • Panelist, “Energy Transition Capital Raising”, Pickering Energy Partners Energy Transition Symposium, December 2021
  • “Contemporary Issues Facing the Modern O&G Startup,” Society of Petroleum Engineers GCS: Financing A Team & A Dream, December 2019

Recognition, Honors & Awards

  • Chambers USA, Nationwide Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional), 2017-2025
  • Chambers USA, Texas, Corporate/M&A, 2017-2025
  • Chambers USA, Texas, Private Equity, 2022-2025
  • Lawdragon, 500 Leading Dealmakers in America, 2025
  • Lawdragon, 500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers, 2023-2025
  • The Texas Lawbook, featured as a top dealmaker, 2025
  • Who’s Who Legal, Energy, 2018-2023
  • Energy & Industrials Dealmaker of the Year at The Deal’s Middle Market Awards in 2020
  • Rising Star, Law360, 2013-2015
  • Legal Leader on the Rise, Texas Lawyer, 2013

*Includes representations prior to Michael’s association with Gibson Dunn.

Nooree Moola is an English and Australian-qualified partner in the Dubai office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She heads Gibson Dunn’s disputes team in the UAE and is a member of the firm’s International Arbitration, White Collar Defence & Investigations, Enforcement of Judgments and Arbitral Awards, and Litigation practice groups. She has practiced in the Middle East region for more than a decade, as well as in London and Australia.

Nooree specialises in international arbitration and complex commercial litigation, regulatory investigations and complex advisory matters. She has been instructed on multiple landmark commercial disputes before the DIFC Court, creating new law in the process. She recently led an extensive reform of the ADGM Court Rules, Regulations and Practice Directions, introducing a new Division of the ADGM Courts and a Fast Track in the ADGM’s Civil and Commercial Division for the first time.

In addition to her work as counsel, Nooree sits as an arbitrator in arbitrations under all the major institutional rules, including the LCIA and DIAC. She is a member of the DIFC Court Rules Drafting Committee and is appointed to the United Nations Global Arbitration Counsel List.

Nooree is recognized by Chambers Legal as being “extremely bright, energetic, client-focused, hungry to win and tactical”. She is named on Legal 500’s Arbitration Powerlist for the Middle East Region. In 2025, she led her team to win Law.com’s prestigious “Middle East Arbitration Team of the Year”, Clients describe her as “very client-focused, commercial and pragmatic”, “very articulate and cool under pressure”, and “a tenacious and persuasive lawyer” who “quickly cuts through the noise to hone in on what is important”.

Nooree regularly represents clients in relation to shareholder disputes, investment disputes, M&A disputes, infrastructure and energy disputes, and matters involving fraud, anti-corruption and white collar crime. She has broad experience, including domestic and transnational litigation at the interlocutory, trial and appellate levels, before the DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, the High Court of England & Wales, the English Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of Victoria, the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia. She has also acted on multiple campaigns for the enforcement of ultra-high-value arbitral awards across jurisdictions, against sovereign and private entities. She has acted for a broad range of clients including international oil companies, multinational corporations, banks, investment firms and sovereign governments.

Nooree also handles major cross-border investigations in the fields of bribery and corruption, fraud, sanctions, and money laundering.

Recent work includes:

Arbitration

  • Representing the majority investors in a Middle Eastern oil and gas joint venture in multiple high-value LCIA arbitrations seated in London, with claims in excess of US$ 2 billion;
  • On behalf of minority shareholders in an Iraqi telecommunications joint venture in a high-value, DIFC-seated LCIA Arbitration, securing an award of US$ 1.65 billion, the highest-value award in a DIFC-seated arbitration to date;
  • Defending a sovereign state in a US$ 3 billion Singapore-seated commercial and investment dispute relating to a key piece of railway infrastructure, and securing a dismissal of nearly all claims whilst successfully prosecuting counterclaims; and
  • Representing a sovereign state in an LCIA arbitration relating to a multi-billion-dollar container terminal and related infrastructure, involving allegations of bribery and State expropriation.

Litigation

  • Acting in the first ever state immunity case to be heard by the DIFC Courts or Dubai courts, creating new law in the process;
  • Drafting an extensive reform of the ADGM Court Rules and Court Regulations, to introduce a Fast Track in the ADGM Court’s Civil & Commercial Division and a new, bespoke Real Property Division;
  • DIFC Court derivative proceedings against the directors of a holding company alleging breaches of fiduciary duty (such as self-dealing and conflicts of interest) and directors’ duties; and
  • ADGM Court litigation against an investment manager, with allegations of breaches of the FSRA Rules and ADGM Companies Law, mismanagement and breach of various torts.

Investigations and complex compliance advisory

  • Advising an oil major on an investigation into alleged improper payments made to a Lebanese consultant in connection with operations in Abu Dhabi and the broader GCC; and
  • Advising a major European investment bank in connection with multi-jurisdictional investigations relating to alleged manipulation of LIBOR and other benchmark rates and foreign exchange rates.

Enforcement and arbitration-related litigation

  • Acting for a Middle-Eastern investor in the enforcement in London, New York, the DIFC, the Netherlands and Switzerland of a multi-billion dollar LCIA arbitral award against a foreign government entity;
  • Seeking an injunction in aid of arbitration before the DIFC Courts, to restrain a security holder from enforcing a share pledge whilst arbitration was underway;
  • Obtaining worldwide disclosure orders from the DIFC Court in connection with the enforcement of an arbitral award; and
  • Representing a multi-national company in relation to a jurisdiction challenge in support of an arbitration agreement.

In addition to her client work, Nooree is also active in the dispute resolution community in Dubai, and attends all of the major think-tanks and conferences. She is a member of ArbitralWomen, YIAC, Young ICCA, the Green Pledge and the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge. Nooree speaks at international conferences, and has lectured and published on a number of topics, including delivering training on international arbitration and state immunity to the staff of the Office of the Solicitor General of an Asian country.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Nooree trained and practiced as a solicitor in a top-tier international law firm in Melbourne, Australia. She was admitted as a solicitor in Australia in November 2009.

During her studies, Nooree was awarded a Dean’s Academic Excellence Award for having the highest finishing grade in both her Law and Applied Science (Genetic Engineering/Medical Biotechnology) degrees. She also received Dean’s Commendations for Excellent Academic Achievement each year between 2005 and 2008. Ms. Moola was also awarded the LESANZ Academic Achievement Award as top student in the course of her LL.M., completed at the University of Queensland.

Nooree also serves as Director on the Board of Pack for a Purpose, a s 501(3)(c) non-profit organization which encourages travellers to use extra luggage space to deliver supplies (from books to medical tools) to community-based programmes around the world. It supports more than 450 community projects in 66 countries across the world, with a key focus on education, health and child welfare.

Jade Chu is a partner in the Dubai office of Gibson Dunn, where he is a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions and Capital Markets Practice Groups.

He has significant experience advising corporates, government-related entities, sponsors and financial institutions on a wide range of corporate transactions (including cross-border public and private M&A, JVs and equity capital markets) and general corporate advisory matters.

Jade is listed and ranked by Chambers Global for Corporate/M&A in Dubai.

Jade received his Bachelor of Laws from SOAS University of London. He is admitted to practice in England and Wales.

Elaine Chen is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. She is a member of the firm’s Litigation and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups. Elaine represents companies and high-net-worth individuals in civil and commercial litigation and disputes, including a full range of banking, contractual, tort, companies, trust and tax matters. She has particular experience in tax, contentious probate and estate administration, mental health, private wealth, and boardroom and shareholders disputes. She has acted as legal adviser to many Hong Kong and overseas-listed corporations and financial institutions, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and trusts and has wide-ranging experience in challenging big-ticket litigation.

Chambers and Partners regularly recognizes Elaine as a notable practitioner in China Dispute Resolution: Litigation, as well as Hong Kong Tax and Private Wealth Disputes. She is ranked as a leading individual in Hong Kong for Domestic and International Corporate Tax, Dispute Resolution: Litigation, as well as for Private Client and Family by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide, a client praised that “Elaine is meticulous and technically strong. She cares about her clients and always fight for their best interests.” In Chambers Greater China Region, interviewed clients note that she is “very technical with good commercial sense, and she works very hard, which demonstrates a strong level of good professionalism,” “very well versed in the controversy. One thing that stands out is her understanding and explanation of the cases,” that she “stands out for her experience in tax litigation. Noted for her deft handling of high-stakes disputes concerning sources of profits and capital gains in transactions, she continues to attract many instructions from listed companies,” “excels in all categories. She is extremely knowledgeable and has a sharp mind. She leads her team with dedication and conviction,” and is a “litigator with immense skill, knowledge and experience, and an instinctive flair for the right answer.” Elaine has also been ranked Band 1 in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for 3 consecutive years. She has been listed for commercial and transactions in China and Hong Kong by Benchmark Litigation Asia-Pacific and recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Litigation by the same publication. Elaine is also named in the World Tax, International Tax Review 2024 guide and Lawdragon 500’s 2023 Leading Global Litigators guide.

Some of her recent and most significant experience includes advising:

  • A Hong Kong-listed corporation with substantial operation in mainland China to resist injunction applications arising out of acrimonious disputes among directors and shareholders
  • A member of a well-known family in Hong Kong in a successful claim for specific performance, equitable compensation and/or account for profits against another family member in relation to the family wealth distribution more than a decade ago involving properties of over HKD20 billion
  • A Hong Kong-based conglomerate with business around the globe in a dispute with the Hong Kong Inland Revenue concerning the source of profits involving very substantial amounts
  • A professional trustee corporation in defending a negligence claim by the beneficiaries of the trust
  • The executors of the estate of a prominent entrepreneur on various issues arising out of the administration of his estate, including handling numerous proceedings in Hong Kong, the USA, BVI and other jurisdictions in the course of the administration

Elaine graduated from the University of Bristol in 1996 and received the prize for “Best Performance” in the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws program at the University of Hong Kong in 1997. She also holds a Master of Laws from the University of London. She is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin and is admitted to practice in Hong Kong and England and Wales.

Oliver D. Welch is a resident partner in the Hong Kong office and a partner in the Singapore office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. He is a member of the firm’s Litigation and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups. Oliver has extensive experience representing multi-national corporations throughout the Asia region on a wide variety of compliance and anti-corruption issues. He focuses on internal and regulatory investigations, including those involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and regularly counsels clients on their anti-corruption compliance programs and controls, including the drafting of policies, procedures, and training materials designed to foster compliance with global anti-corruption laws. Oliver also frequently advises on anti-corruption due diligence in connection with corporate acquisitions, private equity investments, and other business transactions.

The Gibson Dunn white collar team in Asia is regularly recognized as the leading practice in the region in publications such as Chambers Global, Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Greater China, The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and IFLR1000. Oliver is consistently ranked as a leading lawyer and a notable practitioner for Regulatory: Anti-corruption and Compliance by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Chambers Greater China Region. In the Chambers Greater China Region guide, interviewed clients quoted that Oliver “is one of the finest minds in the region. He is skilled at navigating complex matters and provides guidance and advice that is practical and relevant,” “has his ear to the ground and gives very practical, implementable solutions,” “is an excellent attorney with a depth of experience in Asia-Pacific,” and “exhibits a practical, common-sense approach to servicing clients’ needs, bringing calm to heated conversations and issues, yet consistently delivering against required actions at the highest level of both client service and expertise.”

His recent experience includes the following:

  • Advised multiple private equity firms on the compliance risks involved in acquisitions around the region, including India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam and South Korea
  • Represented a multinational conglomerate before the DOJ and SEC in a China-based investigation into allegations of improper payments and misconduct
  • Conducted numerous internal investigations regarding allegations of corrupt conduct in the India and China operations of a healthcare and industrial conglomerate
  • Conducted a global assessment of the compliance program (including controls around anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, trade sanctions, export controls, competition, and data privacy) of a South Korea-based multi-national conglomerate
  • Represented a multinational company before the DOJ and SEC in a India-based investigation into allegations improper payments and misconduct

Prior to joining the Hong Kong office, Oliver practiced in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, where he represented a managed care organization in a consolidated MDL proceeding involving claims under RICO, ERISA, and the Sherman Act. He also represented a number of clients during Congressional investigations.

Oliver received his law degree cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was an executive editor of the Michigan Law Review. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brigham Young University. Prior to attending law school, Oliver managed a regulatory affairs department at a global food and cosmetics company, where he had primary responsibility over product registration and regulatory compliance in North America, Asia, South America, Europe, and Australia. He speaks Korean and is a member of the bars of New York and the District of Columbia.

David A. Wolber is a Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York) and a partner of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. He is a member of the firm’s International Trade, Financial Regulatory, and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups.

David assists clients around the world in understanding and navigating complex legal, compliance, reputational, political and other risks arising out of the interplay of various international trade, national security and financial crime laws and regulations, with particular expertise advising clients on economic and trade sanctions, export controls, foreign direct investment controls/CFIUS, U.S. outbound investment regulations, anti-money laundering (“AML”) and anti-bribery and anti-corruption (“ABC”) laws and regulations.

He routinely advocates on behalf of clients seeking CFIUS review, filing trade-related license applications and U.S. outbound investment notifications, responding to governmental inquiries or subpoenas, submitting self-disclosures related to potentially non-compliant activity, and dealing with formal regulatory investigations or enforcement actions.

David is ranked as a leading International Trade attorney by Chambers Asia Pacific, Chambers Greater China Region and Chambers Global: China. He is also ranked as a recommended lawyer for Regulatory by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, in which interviewed clients remarked that David “is one of the rare lawyers in the region who has deep experience working in house on sanctions matters. He brings this experience to his practice to deliver workable advice that is a cut above,” and is “always reachable, contactable and offers very quick turnaround, sometimes within the day.” In the Chambers Greater China Region guide, a client noted that David “delivers practical, workable advice that is a cut above the textbook responses that other lawyers in the field may offer.”

David resumed his practice at Gibson Dunn in 2022 after taking a five-year hiatus to serve as in-house counsel to two major global financial institutions. From 2019 to 2022, he served as global financial crime counsel for HSBC, located in Hong Kong, where he advised the bank globally on compliance and risk mitigation strategies associated with various jurisdictions’ sanctions, export controls, AML, ABC and national security laws and regulations, with particular focus on such issues affecting the bank in Asia. During his tenure with HSBC, David played a key role in advising and helping to guide the bank through the significant challenges posed to global financial institutions by the rising tensions in U.S.-China relations and the related proliferation of law, regulation and political action in the U.S., Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China.

From 2017 to 2019, David acted in a similar capacity at MUFG Bank, serving as sole financial crime counsel to the bank and key partner to the global financial crime compliance function headquartered in New York.

Prior to becoming an attorney, he spent more than 10 years in business strategy and development roles at Big Four accounting firms and major U.S. law firms.

David earned his Juris Doctor (magna cum laude) from Georgetown University Law Center in 2011. He received a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1997, where he focused on International Trade and Asian Political Economy, and his Bachelor of Arts from Rockhurst College in 1994.

David is a member of the New York State and District of Columbia Bars.

Representative Matters

  • Provide ongoing, broad-based sanctions advisory and support for many large global and regional banks and other financial institutions, fin-tech and tech-fin companies in Asia, Europe and the U.S.
  • Advise a variety of Fortune 500 and other large corporates on the impact of global sanctions and export controls on Russia, particularly in the financial services, energy sector, transportation and manufacturing sectors.
  • Review, revise and draft sanctions and export controls policies and procedures for U.S. and local companies operating in Asia seeking to comply with and mitigate various risks arising out of the patchwork of evolving sanctions and export control laws and regulations around the world.
  • Advise investment and private equity funds on the legal and other risks stemming from various sanctions laws and regulations increasingly targeting investment activities, and assist in developing strategies and approaches to account for and mitigate such risks, particularly when it comes to establishing or operating cross-border investment vehicles into or out of Asia.
  • Advise numerous foreign investors, including investors in China and the broader Asia Pacific region, on CFIUS jurisdiction and filing requirements. Represent investment funds, technology companies and other corporates in filings and advocacy before the Committee.

Recent Speaking Engagements, Publications and Press

  • Quoted in ALB article entitled “Asia Pacific M&A surges as dealmakers navigate regulatory scrutiny,” November 2025.
  • Presenter, “International Trade Regulation, Competition and Enforcement in the Era of Trump 2.0,” Chambers High-Quality Development Forum 2025 (Hong Kong), May 21, 2025.
  • Presenter, “Regulatory Expectations for Sanctions,” ABS-SFA Sanctions Workshop, March 28, 2025.
  • Quoted in Lloyd’s List article entitled “What Pentagon’s new Chinese military designations mean for Cosco,” January 15, 2025.
  • Panelist, “Lloyd’s List Intelligence Seminar,” Hong Kong Maritime Week, November 20, 2024.
  • Co-author, The International Comparative Legal Guide – Sanctions 2025 chapter entitled “U.S.-China Strategic Competition and the Impact of Economic Statecraft on Global Financial Institutions and Corporates,” September 20, 2024.
  • Co-author, LexisNexis article entitled “A Committee of Consequence: CFIUS Debuts Record Penalties, Expands Jurisdiction,” September 20, 2024.
  • Co-author, Global Investigations Review article entitled “Sanctions considerations for non-governmental organisations,” June 20, 2024.
  • Panelist, “Identifying Ownership & Control Relationships: Evolving Challenges and Expectations,” Sanctions SOS, June 19, 2024.
  • Contributing author, Corporate Disputes Magazine article entitled “Commercial Disputes Arising From International Sanctions,” Jul-Sep 2024 issue.
  • Presenter, “Navigating Geopolitics and Increasing Risks in International Trade Compliance,” Chambers Greater China Region High Quality Development Forum 2024 (Hong Kong), May 29, 2024.
  • Panelist, “Case Study: ISO 15022 to 20022 Shift and Impact on Sanctions Screening,” ACAMS The Assembly APAC 2024, April 23, 2024.
  • Quoted in Nikkei Asia article entitled “Nvidia chip prices soar in Asia on U.S. curbs and AI boom,” February 2, 2024.
  • Quoted in ALM article entitled “Latest Biden Order Throws Another Wrench into Sino-U.S. Trade, Lawyers Say,” August 10, 2023.
  • Webinar Presenter, “Current Sanctions Against Russia by Major Countries,” Ficient Global, July 26, 2023.
  • Moderator, “Fireside Chat: Knock-on Effects: Assessing Emerging Geopolitical Risk and Sanctions Implications for Banks,” Fraud and Financial Crime Asia 2023, Regulation Asia, July 13, 2023.
  • Webinar Panelist, “Sanctions on China: where are we heading?” EU Sanctions, May 2, 2023.
  • Roundtable panelist, “Sanctions compliance and enforcement,” Financier Worldwide Magazine, March 2023.
  • Panelist, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Navigating a Unique Sanctions Environment in Hong Kong,” ACAMS Hong Kong Symposium, November 16, 2022.
  • Presenter, “International Sanctions,” CFA Society Hong Kong, September 7, 2022.
  • Panelist, “Redefining Risk: Sanctions and the Global Battle Against Kleptocracy,” Fraud and Financial Crime Asia 2022, Regulation Asia, July 13, 2022.
  • Quoted in Reuters article entitled “U.S. stops Russian bond payments, raising risk of default article entitled,” April 5, 2022.
  • Panelist, “Russia, Sanctions, and China: A Conversation with David Dollar of the Brookings Institution,” American Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong), March 29, 2022.

Albert Cho is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and is head of the firm’s Investment Funds Practice Group in Asia. Albert focuses his practice on the formation of private investment funds, including buyout, growth capital, venture capital, special situations, debt/credit, continuation, secondary, real estate and hedge funds, as well as funds-of-funds. He has extensive experience advising fund clients on co-investment transactions, GP-led secondaries transactions, operational and structuring matters, and legal and regulatory compliance matters. He has represented private investment funds formed by a variety of sponsors, including established private equity houses, large financial services companies, spin-off/spin-out teams as well as boutique firms.

Albert regularly works with Asian, U.S. and European private fund sponsors on their fundraising activities, particularly the formation of funds focused on investing in the Asia-Pacific region. He has also represented institutional investors in their private investment fund activities, including sovereign wealth funds, employee benefit plans for major corporations, family offices , and the alternative investment arms of financial services companies.

Albert is consistently ranked as a leading lawyer and a notable practitioner for Investment Funds in China by Chambers Asia Pacific and Chambers Greater China Region, in which a client noted that “Albert’s technical expertise, commercial awareness and sound judgement have helped his clients in some very difficult situations where perhaps no one else could have got the same result.” In the Chambers Greater China Region guide, interviewed clients remarked that Albert “stands out as the leading lawyer advising Korean private equity clients on offshore fund formations,” “is technically excellent and hands-on,” has “decades of experience over multiple economic cycles and knows exactly what is important when situations arise,” “delivers a complete product for clients,” “consistently provides outstanding work and advice, even under very challenging or urgent circumstances,” “is absolutely devoted to his clients and to supporting their business,” and “gets very close to his clients, taking the trouble to know their business.” He has also been recognized for his work as a private funds lawyer in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, IFLR1000, Legal Media Group’s Expert Guides and Who’s Who Legal. In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide, clients were quoted saying Albert is a “first-class lawyer” who is “at the top of his game” and is “extremely dedicated” and “hardworking and knowledgeable”. He is particularly known for his work in the Korean market and has been recognized by Chambers Global as a foreign expert for Korea in Investment Funds.

His recent experience includes advising:

  • Hahn & Company, a leading South Korea-based private equity firm, on the formation of Hahn & Company IV, its fourth Korea-focused buyout fund, which raised approximately US$3.4 billion in capital commitments and is reported to be the largest single-country investment fund ever formed in Asia, excluding China. 
  • Hahn & Company, a leading South Korea-based private equity firm, in the sale of its interest in Ssangyong C&E, an industry-leading Korean cement manufacturer, through the largest single-asset GP-led secondary transaction in Asia to date.
  • PAG, a leading Asia Pacific-focused alternative investment firm, on the formation of PAG Loan Fund V, its fifth pan-Asia direct lending fund and the largest direct lending fund raised in the Asia-Pacific region to date.
  • Glenwood Private Equity, a leading independent investment firm headquartered in Seoul, on the formation of Glenwood Private Equity Fund III, which closed with total commitments of $1.1 billion.
  • UCK Partners, a Seoul-headquartered private equity firm, on the formation of its third Korea-focused fund, UCK Partners III, at KRW1.1 trillion in commitments.
  • Crescendo Equity Partners, a South Korean private equity firm, on the formation of Crescendo Private Equity Fund III (USD), L.P., which focuses on making control buyout and growth capital investments in mid-cap technology companies in or with a nexus to South Korea.
  • J.P. Morgan Asset Management, the asset management division of JP Morgan Chase & Co., on the formation of Japan Multi-Family Fund IV, a fund investing in multi-family residential real estate in major cities in Japan.

Prior to joining Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Albert was a partner at a large international law firm since 2014. Albert graduated from Cornell Law School in 1999. He speaks basic Korean and is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, the State of New York and Hong Kong.

Zach Hanusek is an associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn. He is member of the firm’s Business Restructuring and Reorganization and Liability Management and Special Situations Practice Groups.  His practice focuses on representing ad hoc creditor groups across a host of in-court and out-of-court transactions.

Zach earned his J.D. cum laude from Fordham Law School, where he was an editor of the Fordham Law Review and was awarded the Benjamin Finkel Prize for Excellence in Bankruptcy Law.  He graduated from Tulane University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics.

Zach is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

Apratim Vidyarthi is a litigation associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn. His practice focuses on appellate and constitutional law, including First Amendment litigation; international judgment enforcement; technology law; law firm defense; and white collar defense. In addition, his work focuses on the media, entertainment, and technology industries.

Among his matters, Apratim represents a large technology company in First Amendment litigation against a government data sharing law; a national newspaper in a high-profile constitutional litigation against the government; and a media organization in a high-profile defamation/free speech lawsuit. He also represents a leading technology company in a nationwide class action antitrust case, and leading law firms in technology, bankruptcy, and ethics issues. Apratim is also actively involved in various billion dollar judgment enforcement cases against foreign sovereigns.

Apratim maintains a robust pro bono practice, focusing on First Amendment, Second Amendment, constitutional policing, Executive power, and Equal Protection, and criminal justice issues. Apratim has filed amicus briefs at the Supreme Court in Pancholi v. United States, Little v. Llano County, Chiles v. Salazar, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, Gonzalez v. Trevino, and Hungary v. Simon.

Apratim earned his J.D. cum laude in 2022 from the University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, he was the Philanthropy Editor for the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, sat on the Board of the Journal of Law and Innovation, was a Littleton Fellow (teaching Legal Practice Skills), the President of the Comedy Club, and the co-Chair of the Moot Court Board. He was a teaching assistant for Constitutional Law with Professor Mitchell Berman, and a research assistant and co-author with Professor Christopher Yoo. Apratim was awarded the 2022 Fred G. Leebron Memorial Prize, given to the graduating student with the best paper in constitutional law.

Prior to law school, Apratim worked at Deloitte Consulting in their technology consulting group. He also has a Masters of Science in Engineering and Technology Innovation Management from Carnegie Mellon, and Bachelors degrees in Nuclear Engineering and Applied Mathematics and a minor in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.

Apratim’s scholarship on technology and constitutional law has been published in various leading journals.

Apratim is admitted to practice in the state of New York, and before the United States District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of New York, and the Eleventh Circuit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sam Gensburg is an associate in Gibson Dunn’s San Francisco office.  He practices in the firm’s Litigation Department, with a focus on privacy, cybersecurity, and healthcare matters.

He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2024, where he was co-editor-in-chief of the Stanford Technology Law Review and worked in the Juelsgaard Intellectual Property and Innovation Clinic.

Before attending law school, Sam worked as a senior software engineer at a variety of public and private institutions.  From 2016 to 2018, he worked at the U.S. Digital Service, with a focus on matters related to healthcare data.

Sam is admitted to practice in California.

Amrita Krishnan is an associate in the Washington, DC office of Gibson Dunn. She currently practices in the firm’s Litigation Department.

Amrita earned her Juris Doctor in 2025 from the University of Chicago Law School. While in law school, she served as the President of the school’s Antitrust Law Association and was a member of the Civil Rights and Police Accountability Clinic. Amrita graduated from the Northwestern University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Amrita is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia.

Benjamin Rice is an associate in the Dallas office of Gibson Dunn. He currently practices with the firm’s Litigation Department.

Before joining Gibson Dunn, Ben served as a law clerk to the Honorable Jennifer Walker Elrod of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the Honorable Jeremy Kernodle of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Ben earned his law degree summa cum laude and as Valedictorian from the SMU Dedman School of Law, where he served as Managing Editor of the SMU Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif and the SMU Barristers. He graduated summa cum laude from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Spanish Language.

Ben is a member of the State Bars of Texas and Louisiana, and he is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Rachel Schwartz is a litigation associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn.

She earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from New York University School of Law in 2025. While in law school, Rachel served as a Managing Editor for the NYU Law Moot Court Board. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis in 2021.

Rachel is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

Daniel R. Adler is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn. He specializes in complex commercial and constitutional litigation in trial and appellate courts. Daniel has briefed more than 80 appeals for federal and state courts across the country and has argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and several California Courts of Appeal.

Highlights include:

  • Class actions. Daniel regularly defends clients in high-stakes class actions and challenges orders granting motions for class certification. In one case, for example, the Fourth Circuit vacated an order certifying an antitrust class seeking billions. In re Zetia (Ezetimibe) Antitrust Litigation, 7 F.4th 227 (4th Cir. 2021). On remand, Daniel persuaded the district court not to recertify the class. In another case, Daniel secured the reversal of an order certifying a large class challenging the labeling on coffee cans. In re Folgers Coffee Marketing, 159 F.4th 1151 (8th Cir. 2025). Daniel has also defended significant class-action settlements from appeals brought by objectors. E.g., Akins v. Facebook, Inc., 2025 WL 484621 (9th Cir. 2025); Lako v. LoanDepot, Inc., 2025 WL 2389432 (9th Cir. 2025); In re Facebook, Inc. Internet Tracking Litigation, 2024 WL 700985 (9th Cir. 2024).
  • Insurance. Daniel has extensive experience representing insurers in trial courts and on appeal. He won affirmance of judgments in cases brought on behalf of putative classes of policyholders in California and Washington seeking business income lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. E.g., Mudpie, Inc. v. Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, 15 F.4th 885 (9th Cir. 2021); Hill & Stout, PLLC v. Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Company, 515 P.3d 525 (Wash. 2022). Daniel also persuaded the Fifth and Ninth Circuits that large classes of auto-insurance policyholders should not be certified because it was impossible to determine on a classwide basis whether they were all injured. Bourque v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, 89 F.4th 525 (5th Cir. 2023); Lara v. First National Insurance Company of America, 25 F.4th 1134 (9th Cir. 2022). In another of his appeals, the California Court of Appeal decided that the California Insurance Commissioner had impermissibly ordered a retroactive refund of premiums to policyholders. State Farm General Insurance Company v. Lara, 71 Cal. App. 5th 148 (2021).
  • Securities and corporate governance. Daniel persuaded the United States Supreme Court to grant certiorari and then unanimously hold that plaintiffs suing under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 must prove that they bought shares under the registration statement they claim is misleading. Slack Technologies, LLC v. Pirani, 143 S. Ct. 1433 (2022). On remand in that same case, the Ninth Circuit held that the plaintiff couldn’t satisfy that standard and ordered all his claims dismissed. Pirani v. Slack Technologies, Inc., 127 F.4th 1183 (9th Cir. 2025). Daniel also won a decision from the Ninth Circuit holding that liability for short-swing profits under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 does not turn on whether a board approved transactions with an insider for the express purpose of exempting those transactions from liability. Roth v. Foris Ventures, LLC, 86 F.4th 832 (9th Cir. 2023). Daniel has also litigated cases in the Delaware Supreme Court, securing a reversal in a high-profile appraisal action (DFC Global Corp. v. Muirfield Value Partners, L.P., 172 A.3d 346 (Del. 2017)) and affirmance of a decision declining to second-guess a board’s judgment in approving an acquisition (City of Coral Springs Police Officers’ Pension Plan v. Block, Inc., 308 A.3d 1189 (Del. 2023)).
  • Defending cities. Daniel persuaded the Supreme Court to grant certiorari and then hold that the enforcement of laws regulating camping on public property is not “cruel and unusual punishment” under the Eighth Amendment. City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, 144 S. Ct. 2202 (2024). The decision returned to local governments the right to decide for themselves how best to address homelessness. Daniel also defended a city, at both trial and on appeal, against claims brought under the California Voting Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause. He has also counseled other California cities threatened with litigation under the California Voting Rights Act and section 2 of the federal Voting Rights Act.
  • General commercial appeals. Daniel persuaded the Ninth Circuit to affirm an order granting summary judgment to a financial-services firm in a suit over advisory fees. Anderson v. Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., 2025 WL 3252323 (9th Cir. 2025). Daniel secured reversal of an order granting summary judgment in a dispute over a valuable piece of commercial real estate in Nashville. Houston Humphreys LLC v. Houston Street Partners, LLC, 2022 WL 3573404 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022). And in a dispute between former parties to a license agreement to manufacture and sell consumer electronics, he defeated multiple appeals challenging orders granting summary judgment and awarding his client significant attorneys’ fees. Monster, LLC v. Beats Electronics, LLC, 2023 WL 4484055 (Cal. Ct. App. 2023); Monster, LLC v. Beats Electronics, LLC, 2020 WL 5014610 (Cal. Ct. App. 2020).

Daniel also maintains an active pro bono practice. Highlights include:

  • First Amendment. Daniel won dismissal of a complaint filed against a nonprofit by a political group for an alleged violation of the First Amendment. Pasadena Republican Club. v. Western Justice Center, 985 F.3d 1161 (9th Cir. 2021). He has also counseled other clients facing potential First Amendment litigation.
  • Fourth Amendment. Daniel represented the Cato Institute in opposing the United States Customs and Border Protection’s policy of searching electronic devices at the border, including at international airports, without even reasonable suspicion.
  • Prisoners’ and Detainees’ Rights. Daniel secured an opinion holding that a former prisoner’s claim of indifference to his medical needs was not barred by the Prison Litigation Reform Act’s exhaustion requirement. Jackson v. Fong, 870 F.3d 928 (9th Cir. 2017). In another appeal, Daniel won reversal of the dismissal of a former immigration detainee’s claim that federal immigration officials violated his constitutional right of access to the courts. Garcia v. Johnson, 840 F. App’x 255 (9th Cir. 2021).
  • Criminal appeals. Daniel has represented former prosecutors and public defenders serving as amici curiae in support of nonviolent drug offenders seeking to withdraw their guilty pleas on the ground that their counsel did not advise them of the immigration consequences of those pleas. In one case, he helped to persuade the California Court of Appeal to grant the defendant’s habeas petition. In re Hernandez, 33 Cal. App. 5th 530 (2019). In others, he helped to persuade the California Supreme Court to reverse orders denying defendants’ motions to vacate their convictions. People v. Espinoza, 14 Cal. 5th 311 (2023); People v. Vivar, 11 Cal. 5th 510 (2021). Those decisions will protect other noncitizens from the consequences of their uninformed guilty pleas.

Daniel has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Appellate Practice.

Daniel joined Gibson Dunn after serving as a law clerk to Judge Paul J. Watford of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

He graduated from Columbia Law School in 2014, where he served as an editor of the Columbia Law Review and earned the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Prize for achieving highest academic honors in all three years. Daniel graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University in 2009 with a degree in History and minors in Finance and Latin. Before attending law school, he worked as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company in Chicago.

Daniel is admitted to practice law in the State of California as well as before the Supreme Court of the United States, the United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fourth, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California.

Abtin Jalali is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Private Equity Practice Group.

Abtin specializes in representing private equity firms and their portfolio companies on acquisitions, divestitures, growth equity investments, and general corporate matters. Abtin advises on transactions in various industries, including enterprise software, data and technology, healthcare, business services, consumer products, retail, and industrials.

Abtin has been recognized by MergerLinks as a top M&A lawyer in North America. His broad experiences in business and law provide a unique perspective to transactions. His clients value that his legal judgment is complemented by a deep understanding of the commercial implications of issues for investors, management teams and companies.

Abtin’s representative private equity clients include BVP Forge, FTV Capital, Gryphon Investors, KKR, Serent Capital, Tower Arch Capital, TPG Capital, and True Wind Capital.

Abtin received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. He received his M.B.A. and his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. Prior to his legal career, Abtin held various roles in finance and real estate.

Raena Ferrer Calubaquib is an associate in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.  She practices with the firm’s Litigation Department.  Raena advises clients in a variety of industries on high-stakes legal matters, including investigations, enforcement actions, and complex litigation in trial and appellate courts across the country.  Raena’s pro bono practice includes voting rights, immigration, reproductive justice, and capital defense work. 

Raena externed and clerked for the Honorable Gregory H. Woods of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and clerked for the Honorable Myrna Pérez of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Raena earned her law degree in 2019, with pro bono distinction, from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law.  While in law school, Raena participated in Berkeley Law’s State and Local Impact Litigation Practicum, was an Articles Editor for the Berkeley Business Law Journal and the Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law & Justice, and was an executive board member of the Boalt Hall Women’s Association.  She served as a law clerk for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California and interned with the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

Raena earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz.  Prior to attending law school, Raena worked for a prominent real estate technology company and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Raena is admitted to practice law in the State of California and the State of New York.

Diana M. Feinstein is a partner in the Century City office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She is a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations, Litigation, and Class Actions Practice Groups.

Diana’s practice centers on white collar defense and investigations, with a particular emphasis on complex internal investigations and enforcement matters brought by the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Trade Commission. She regularly advises companies, boards and senior executives in high-stakes matters involving criminal, civil and regulatory exposure.

In recognition of her work, Diana has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Criminal Defense: White Collar. In addition to her investigations practice, she represents clients in complex litigation, including consumer class actions, securities disputes and high-value commercial litigation.

Diana’s experience spans a wide range of industries, including technology, financial services, entertainment, insurance, healthcare, transportation, real estate, manufacturing and consumer products. Drawing on her dual investigations and litigation practice, she has deep expertise navigating parallel proceedings involving criminal, civil and regulatory components, particularly in crisis-driven matters where early strategic decision-making is critical.

She also has significant experience managing electronic discovery and digital forensics, which frequently play a central role in large-scale investigations and complex disputes. Diana is a frequent speaker on issues such as attorney-client privilege, parallel proceedings and electronic discovery.

Diana earned her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 2007. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Legal Network for the Jewish Federation Los Angeles and previously served on the Board of the Western Center on Law & Poverty.

Diana is admitted to practice in California and New York.

Representative Internal Investigation and Government Enforcement Defense Experience

  • Representing global franchisor in investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and several State Attorney General Offices, as well as parallel civil litigation.
  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of special committee of independent directors of a pharmaceutical company regarding allegations of executive misconduct.
  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of special committee of independent directors of international gaming company regarding adequacy of internal controls.
  • Conducted internal investigation on behalf of the board of directors of a global nutrition and supplement company regarding anti-money laundering controls.
  • Conducted internal investigation for global data storage company regarding intellectual property issues.
  • Conducted internal investigation for global retailer regarding product compliance and trade control issues.
  • Represented top social networking company in investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
  • Representing climate finance company and board member in investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
  • Represented technology company in investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice stemming from IPO disclosures, resulting in declinations from both government regulators.
  • Represented international bank in nonpublic investigation by Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Office for alleged violations of anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act.
  • Represented international gaming company in nonpublic investigation by Department of Justice and United States Attorney’s Office for alleged violations of anti-money laundering laws and regulations, including the Bank Secrecy Act.
  • Represented investment management firm in connection with various regulatory and criminal investigations arising from trades in mortgage-backed securities.

Representative Civil Litigation Experience

Technology, Privacy & IP Litigation

  • Representing a leading social networking company in litigation alleging violations of Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
  • Successfully represented Archer Aviation, a leading eVTOL aircraft company, in trade secret litigation and the prosecution of defamation counterclaims, securing key victories including defeat of a preliminary injunction motion, significant narrowing of claims at summary judgment, and defeat of the plaintiff’s summary judgment motion.
  • Defended a major technology manufacturer in nationwide multidistrict litigation (MDL 2827), obtaining early dismissal with prejudice of all statutory and common law fraud claims.

Mass Actions & Complex Employment Litigation

  • Obtained decertification of a class of more than 11,000 J.B. Hunt truck drivers on the eve of trial in a long-running wage and hour action.
  • Defended the University of Southern California in coordinated mass action litigation arising from alleged employee misconduct, including parallel civil litigations and regulatory investigations.

Toxic Tort & Large-Scale Discovery

  • Coordinated extensive discovery and managed damages experts in the defense of a mass toxic tort action brought by more than 400 former workers against an international engineering firm.

Securities & Financial Litigation

  • Secured a rare reversal by the New York Appellate Division of a denial of summary judgment on behalf of Trust Company of the West (TCW), establishing that alleged losses were caused by the financial crisis rather than management conduct.
  • Obtained voluntary dismissal with prejudice of a putative securities class action concerning foreign exchange practices on behalf of multiple global financial institutions and underwriters.