Lawyers Archive

Michael Moradi is a corporate associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Investment Funds Practice Group.

Michael received his Juris Doctor in 2015 from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. He also received his Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude, from Queens College of the City University of New York in 2012.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Michael was an associate of an international law firm.

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

Will Summers is a partner in the London office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the Private Equity Practice Group.

Will’s practice focuses on advising financial sponsors on a range of complex cross-border acquisitions divestitures, joint ventures, minority, preferred and growth capital investments and restructurings.

Will is ranked by the Chambers UK 2026 guide for Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above; and is described as a “generational talent” in The Legal 500 UK 2026 for Private Equity: Transactions – High-Value Deals (£500m+), where he is also recognised.

Will received a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in Law with Another Legal System (Hong Kong) from UCL in 2011 and completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School in 2012. He is admitted to practice in England and Wales.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Will was a partner in the private equity practice group of another major international law firm, where he completed secondments to the firm’s Hong Kong office and to Oaktree Capital Management.

Will’s experience includes advising: *

RedBird IMI on the €8bn merger of All3 Media with Banijay Entertainment, creating the world’s largest independent content producer and distributor
The Carlyle Group on its acquisitions of intelliflo, Meopta, Incubeta, Tescan, LiveU, 1E, disguise and Phrase; and its investment in Unifrutti Group
Eurazeo on its acquisition of Mapal; and its £1.75bn acquisition of BMS
Oaktree Capital Management on its acquisitions of LED Group, OEG Group and atomos; its $1.1bn disposal of OEG Group; and its disposals of OSMT, Avenga, MWH Treatment, Kadans Science Partner, Groupe Kley and Zodiac Milpro
Oaktree Capital Management on its establishment of a dedicated life sciences fund; and its subsequent acquisitions of 17 Colombus Courtyard and HTCE
A global financial sponsor on its £1.2bn disposal of a UK healthcare business
Anchorage Capital Group on its €600m disposal of Ideal Standard; its £500m disposal of phs Group; and its disposal of LS Retail
Goldman Sachs on its disposal of Trackunit; and its investment in Twiga Foods
MidEuropa on its €1.8bn disposal of Profi
Graanul Invest on its sale to funds managed by the affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc.
Hg on its acquisition of Raet
Avast (following an investment by CVC), on its £2.4bn IPO and admission to the Premium Listing Segment of the Official List and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange
An ad hoc group of lenders on the €1.9bn leveraged buyout debt restructuring of a global communications supplier
Noble Group on its $3.5bn debt-for-equity restructuring

*Some of these representations occurred prior to Will’s association with Gibson Dunn.

Charlotte Deans is an associate in the London office of Gibson Dunn and is a member of the Private Equity Practice Group.

Charlotte specialises in advising private equity sponsors and other financial investors on a variety of complex transactions, including cross-border acquisitions, divestitures, co-investments, joint ventures, minority and growth capital investments, carve-outs, and corporate restructurings.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Charlotte was an associate at another major international law firm, where she completed secondments to the firm’s Dubai office, The Carlyle Group, and Blackstone Credit.

Charlotte’s experience includes advising: *

RedBird IMI on the €8bn merger of All3 Media with Banijay Entertainment, creating the world’s largest independent content producer and distributor.
The Carlyle Group on its acquisition of intelliflo, Meopta, Tescan, Incubeta, LiveU, Phrase and its investment in Unifrutti Group.
Eurazeo on its acquisition of Mapal.
Goldman Sachs’ portfolio company Advania AB on its acquisition of Content+Cloud.
Goldman Sachs on the spin out of its African investment portfolio.
Triton Partners on its acquisition of utilities contractor OCU Group Limited.
CVC Capital Partners on its acquisition of Mediaocean.
The Industrialization and Energy Services Company on its acquisition of Al Mansoori Petroleum Services LLC (AMPS).
Naturepak Limited and Evergreen Packaging International LLC on the sale of their Saudi JV and its Moroccan subsidiary.
Development Partners International (DPI), QI Invest B.V. and GB Finance Lux S.a.r.l on the partial sale of MNT-Halan.
ARCH Emerging Markets Partners Limited (ARCH) on the joint investment by Norfund and KPL in CrossBoundary Energy.
A sovereign wealth fund on its sale of Anglo-Gulf Trade Bank (AGTB) Limited to Bright East Investment.

*Some of these representations occurred prior to Charlotte’s association with Gibson Dunn.

Brian Gilchrist is a partner in the Hong Kong office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. He is a member of the firm’s Litigation and White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Groups. Brian has extensive experience in dispute resolution, with a focus on commercial litigation involving matters concerning banking, insurance, tax, employment, contentious probate, directors’ duties and minority shareholders’ rights. He is also an experienced advisor on regulatory matters and has handled both domestic and multijurisdictional arbitrations. Brian has acted as a key legal advisor to many of the largest Hong Kong and international companies and institutions. He has acted for, as well as against, Regulators, and is recognized in the market as someone who is usually involved in any ‘bet the company’ dispute in Hong Kong.

He is consistently recognized as a leading lawyer and notable practitioner by publications and is a top-ranked lawyer by Chambers Greater China Region. Interviewed clients remark that Brian “is unique in the sense that he is a strategist. He’s always three steps ahead – sometimes even ahead of the client in terms of what they want to achieve” and “is on the speed dial of everyone who is anyone. He’s head of the team and is extremely important as the overall strategist and with regard to communicating with the client.” Other sources note that “He’s the real big dog in town. He’s the real deal and is every bit as good as advertised in terms of his advice and analysis”, “people like him are set apart for their commercial and strategic judgement when it comes to decision making in litigation”, and that he “is very good at dealing with difficult situations and finding a simple commercial solution, that’s what he’s known for in the market. He’s definitely the person to go to for complexity”.

Brian is ranked Band 1 in the Chambers Global and Chambers High Net Worth Guides. Described as a “legendary figure” with vast experience, clients were quoted saying, “Brian has seen anything and everything, he has roamed the earth in the litigation scene in Hong Kong”. “Brian is a trusted adviser who always produces commercial solutions”, “Brian Gilchrist has unparalleled gravitas and experience in the area…he is particularly knowledgeable in terms of trust-related matters”, and further, “Brian is unique in the sense that he is a strategist. He’s always three steps ahead – sometimes even ahead of the client in terms of what they want to achieve”. Brian is also recognized in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame, having been listed as a Leading Individual for many consecutive years, as well as classed as a Leading Individual in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific‘s Dispute Resolution: Litigation, Domestic and International Corporate Tax, and Private Client and Family categories. In The Legal 500 Asia Pacific guide, a client noted that Brian “is an exceptional litigator and a trusted advisor whose counsel goes far beyond the purely legal. He consistently demonstrates an ability to identify and address the real concerns underlying complex commercial disputes”. He is also recognized by Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) for Commercial Litigation, Commercial Mediation, and Asset Recovery; Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific; and Lawdragon 500’s Leading Global Litigators and Global Leaders in Crisis Management guides.

Some of his recent and most significant experience includes advising:

The company and opposing shareholders in resisting a petition to wind up a highly successful company brought by a minority shareholder seeking to enforce minority shareholders’ rights involving court proceedings in Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands.
The Trustee in a high-profile breach of trust claim that was successfully defended at trial and the appeal was eventually withdrawn.
One of the parties to a high-profile contested probate action concerning the succession rights to the significant estate of a high net worth individual.
Various entities in defending or intervening in judicial review proceedings brought before the courts of Hong Kong.
Various corporates and financial institutions in structuring and managing internal investigations of misconduct or other improper actions of employees and former employees, and handling the resulting litigation, regulatory inquiries and any criminal investigation of the wrongdoers.
A Hong Kong tertiary institution in relation to disciplinary-, grievance- and discrimination-related investigations and hearings.

Brian has sat as a deputy judge of the High Court of Hong Kong SAR, as well as the tribunal chairman for a statutory body dealing with appeals. He was a member of the Council of the Law Society of Hong Kong from 2009 to 2022 and was elected and served as a vice president of the Law Society of Hong Kong for 3 terms from 2018 to 2021. Brian has also acted as the honorary legal advisor to the British Consul General in Hong Kong for over 20 years and was recognized for his contribution in such role with the award of an OBE in 2020.

Brian has acted as the general editor for Chitty on Contracts Hong Kong Specific Volume since the initial edition, as well as having contributed to the Hong Kong White Book since it was first published. He has been a member of the Solicitors Higher Rights of Audience Assessment Board, the Court of Final Appeal Rules Committee and the High Court Rules Committee, and is presently a member of the Civil Court Users’ Committee and the Standing Committee on Legal Education and Training, as well as a number of other statutory bodies and committees.

Brian graduated from the University of Cambridge, Magdalene College with a Bachelor of Arts in 1987 and a Master of Laws in 1988. He is a Cambridge Rugby Blue. Brian has been admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales since 1991 and Hong Kong since 1995.

Thomas Manakides is a nationally recognized litigator and trial lawyer who represents companies in high-stakes commercial, mass tort, oil and gas, and environmental litigation. For more than two decades, clients have turned to him to handle their most challenging disputes. Recognized for his versatility, he combines seasoned courtroom advocacy with strategic judgment in complex disputes. He has successfully defended large-scale, multi-jurisdictional matters involving thousands of plaintiffs and substantial financial exposure. He practices in Texas and California.

Chambers USA consistently ranks Thomas as a leading lawyer in Environment–California, noting his “experience in defending companies in high-stakes environmental litigation” and specifically identifying his “particular expertise in matters concerning toxic tort and negligence claims.” He is also recognized in recent editions of the Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Environmental Lawyers guide for his environmental litigation and mass tort practice.

Mass Tort and Environmental Litigation. Thomas has more than 20 years of experience handling mass tort and environmental disputes in state and federal courts nationwide. His matters frequently involve large plaintiff groups, complex scientific issues, and significant potential liability. He has handled matters alleging exposure to substances such as benzene, methane, trichloroethylene (TCE), and DBCP, as well as claims involving odor, noise, and other environmental impacts. Representative matters include:

Defend The Boeing Company against wildfire claims by approximately 1,200 plaintiffs in more than 50 complaints alleging damages arising from the Woolsey Fire in Southern California. Thomas leads the litigation team and oversees strategy across all phases of the case. In 2023, the trial court dismissed all of plaintiffs’ claims and entered judgment in Boeing’s favor. The matter is currently on appeal.
Represent Dole Food Company, Inc. against several actions in state and federal district courts throughout the country filed by thousands of foreign plaintiffs alleging sterility from exposure to DBCP. For years, Thomas led the strategy and management of this national litigation docket and secured key victories, including the dismissal of thousands of plaintiffs on limitations grounds in state courts, the dismissal of claims by plaintiffs from Costa Rica, Panama, and Ecuador under Delaware’s first-filed rule, and summary judgment against thousands of Central American plaintiffs in federal courts in Louisiana and Delaware.

Thomas was also a key member of the team that uncovered a large-scale attorney-orchestrated fraud originating in Nicaragua and imported into California courts. This effort culminated in a dismissal with prejudice of several California cases consolidated as Mejia v. Dole Food following a trial exposing the fraud. In Tellez v. Dole Food, Thomas obtained an order vacating a jury verdict and, after a multi-week trial, entry of judgment in Dole’s favor based on fraud on the court and extortion.
Represent developers against claims by approximately 1,500 homeowners alleging property damage and personal injuries arising from vapor intrusion of benzene and methane in a residential community. Following Thomas’ cross-examination of plaintiffs’ key expert, the court excluded the expert—describing him as a “bogus expert” whose opinions lacked objective support. After additional expert exclusions, the matter settled.
Represent a major waste collection and recycling company in a mass tort and nuisance action brought by nearly 100 plaintiffs alleging personal injuries and property damage arising from odor and noise. Thomas successfully obtained an order eliminating plaintiffs’ permanent nuisance claim and their claims for diminution in property value, significantly narrowing the case before a settlement was reached.
Defend Lockheed Martin in a large-scale toxic tort action brought by 800 plaintiffs who alleged personal injury and property damage as a result of exposure to TCE and ammonium perchlorate in drinking water. The trial court dismissed the claims of the first-tier plaintiffs, which the appellate court affirmed.

Oil and Gas Litigation. Thomas has a proven track record litigating and trying upstream oil and gas disputes, representing major clients such as Chevron U.S.A. Inc. In one matter involving enhanced recovery operations in the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, Thomas represented Chevron in a substantial dispute involving negligence, nuisance, and trespass claims by a neighboring oil operator. Following an eight-week jury trial, the trial court granted Chevron’s motion for a new trial, and the matter ultimately resolved in a settlement while it was pending before the California Supreme Court. Thomas currently represents Chevron in pending litigation against the Governor of California and the state’s oil and gas regulator challenging an illegal ban on fracking in the state purportedly based on climate change. The first phase of the case was tried in early 2026.

Regulatory Advice and Defense. Thomas is also highly skilled in guiding clients through the complexities of federal, state, and local regulations. He has provided strategic advice related to refinery operations, litigated disputes over cleanup costs and other damages associated with environmental contamination, and challenged regulatory orders and enforcement actions. Representative matters include:

Represent a developer in challenging a cleanup and abatement order issued by a water board naming the company a responsible party and discharger.

Represent Athens Services in a regulatory enforcement action by an air district and related litigation seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief that threatened closure of a recycling facility. The matter resolved favorably following administrative proceedings and early trial court briefing.

Obtain a complete defense judgment in favor of a test instrument company in a cost recovery action involving groundwater and soil contamination from TCE and PCE. After targeted discovery, the court granted summary judgment and awarded defense costs.

Complex Commercial Litigation. Thomas has experience handling complex, high-stakes commercial disputes often involving substantial financial exposure, including matters involving financial transactions, bankruptcy-related claims, and real estate disputes. His experience includes successfully defeating an emergency attempt to enjoin a nonjudicial foreclosure on an $80 million commercial property loan, resulting in dismissal of the claims with prejudice. Thomas represents Dole Fresh Fruit Company in an ongoing adversary proceeding in the Southern District of New York and Pitney Bowes in litigation in Illinois and Texas.

Pro Bono and Community Involvement. Thomas is deeply committed to pro bono service and community involvement. He previously served on the Board of Directors for The Priority Center, which serves at-risk children and families in crisis, and on the Board of Directors for the Public Law Center, Orange County’s pro bono law firm providing legal services to low-income residents.

Education and Background. Thomas received his J.D. from the University of Southern California Law School, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and served as Submission Editor for the Southern California Law Review. He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science from Pepperdine University.

He is admitted to practice in California and Texas and before multiple federal courts, including the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Ninth and Fifth Circuits.

Jeffrey C. Krause is a partner in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn where he is a member of the firm’s Business Restructuring and Reorganization Practice Group. He has a broad corporate restructuring practice that handles significant debtor and creditor representations, acquirers of assets from chapter 11 debtors, lessors, landlords, secured and unsecured creditors.

Jeff frequently advises boards and shareholders on fulfilling fiduciary duties and minimizing litigation risks when faced with financial distress. He represents defendants in preference actions, fraudulent transfer actions and large, complex commercial disputes, including lender liability claims.

Awards and Accolades:

Chambers USA, “Band 1 Bankruptcy/Restructuring: California” (2013 – 2025)
Lawdragon, “500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers” (2022 – 2026)
The Best Lawyers in America®, “Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law” (2003 – 2026) and “Lawyer of the Year” (2017)
Turnarounds & Workouts, “Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer” (2018)

Representative Clients and Transactions:

Represented Cerberus, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Welltower as secured lenders in multiple workouts and enforcement actions.
Represented PDL BioPharma, Inc. in enforcing remedies against several borrowers and guarantors of debt, in and out of bankruptcy.
Advised an ad hoc first lien secured creditor group of specialty pharmaceutical company, Endo International, with respect to the restructuring transaction and bankruptcy proceedings.
Advised Liberty Hall Capital Partners, in connection with the out of court restructuring of AeroCision Parent, LLC.
Represented Berkshire Hathaway Energy as proposed plan sponsor in the $18 billion acquisition of Energy Future Holdings.
Advised mortgage lender Deutsche Bank in mall owner CBL & Associates Properties’ out-of-court restructuring.
Represented companies in out of court restructurings and chapter 11 cases in multiple industries, including hospitality, food service, hospitals, commercial real estate, office buildings and multi-family residential.
Represented Romano’s Macaroni Grill as chapter 11 debtor.
Represented Divco as landlord and mezzanine lender in multiple chapter 11 cases.
Represented BrightSpire Credit 1, LLC as mortgage lender on San Jose hotel through two chapter 11 cases.
Represented One Table in out-of-court restructuring process.

Memberships and Professional Involvement:

Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association (Former Member of Executive Committee of Section on Commercial Law and Bankruptcy and Past Chair of Pro Bono Debtor Assistance Project)
Member, Sections on Litigation and Business Law, American Bar Association (Past Co-Chairman of Bankruptcy and Insolvency Committee of the Litigation Section)
Member, TMA Distressed Investing Conference Planning Committee (2022)
Trustee, Turnaround Management Association Global Leadership (2024)
Vice President Elect, Education, Turnaround Management Association Global Leadership (2025)
President, Turnaround Management Association, Southern California Chapter (2017)
Adjunct Professor, University of Southern California School of Law (1994-2000) (2002)
Board Member, Financial Lawyers Conference (1999-2002)
Director, California Bankruptcy Forum (1997-2000)
President, Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum (1996-1997)
Member, Debtor-Creditor Committee, Business Law Section (1992-1995)
Member, UCC Committee, Business Law Section, State Bar of California (1987-1990)
Adjunct Professor, Loyola School of Law teaching Real Property Secured Transactions (1987-1988)

Publications:

“In a Class All Their Own,” Vol. 20, No. 5, Los Angeles Lawyers 42 (July-August 1997)
“Whose Lawyer Are You: Fiduciary Obligations of Debtor in Possession’s Counsel,” 31 Beverly Hill Bar Ass’n Journal, Vol. 2 (1997)
“Appellate Practice Educational Materials for Federal Judicial Center Programs for New Bankruptcy Appellate Panel Judges,” (1996 and 1997);
“Non-Collusive Foreclosure Sales of Real Property Are Not Avoidable As Fraudulent Transfers,” 3 ABA Bankr. Litigation Newsletter 18, (1995)
“The Bias of the Courts Against Single Asset Real Estate Cases is Creating Bad Law in the Area of Classification,” 22 Cal. Bankr. J. 45, (1994)
“Foreclosure Sales Should Not Be Treated As Fraudulent Transfers,” 1 ABA Bankr. Litigation Newsletter 7, (1993)
“United States Trustee Guidelines Regarding Prepetition Retainers,” 18 Cal. Bankr. J. 135, (1990)
“California Real Property Financing: Bankruptcy and Secured Real Property Transactions,” CEB, (1989) (Contributing Author)
“Treatment of Prepetition Retainers,” 17 Cal. Bankr. J. 153, (1989)
Steinberg, Bankruptcy Litigation, (1989) (Contributing Author)
Consultant, Bernhardt, California Mortgage and Deed of Trust Practice (2d ed. 1989 CEB)

Speaking Engagements:

American Bankruptcy Institute Complex Financial Restructuring Program (2019, 2020, 2022)
UCLA School of Law and Financial Lawyers Conference, “Bankruptcy Nuts and Bolts all day seminar: Asset Sales under Bankruptcy Code section 363” and “Executory Contracts under Bankruptcy Code section 365”
USC Gould School of Law Real Estate Law and Business Forum, “Real Estate Valuation in Workouts and Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Cases and Other Valuation Triggering Events”
Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum, “Be WARNed: Risks of Liability for Insiders, Secured Lenders and Buyers for Unpaid Employment Related Claims”
Turnaround Managers Association, Southern California Chapter, “Distressed Valuations – ‘What is the Right Real Estate Valuation Approach and How to Plead Your Case!’”
Turnaround Managers Association, Annual Western Regional Conference, “Litigation of Valuation Issues for Operating Businesses and Cramdown Interest Rates After Momentive”
California Receiver’s Forum, “Labor and Employment Issues for Receivers Administering Operating Business”
American Bankruptcy Institute Battleground West, “Healthcare Restructuring”
Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum, “Recent Developments Debate Program”

Jeff attended the University of California Los Angeles, where he received his B.S. in Economics in 1977, and his J.D. in 1980. Jeff served on the UCLA Law Review, and was elected to the Order of the Coif.

Kevin J. White is a senior associate in the Palo Alto office of Gibson Dunn. He is a member of Gibson Dunn’s Litigation and Securities Litigation Practices.

Mr. White handles a wide range of complex commercial disputes, including breach of contract matters, fraud and business torts, securities class actions, and mergers and acquisitions disputes. Mr. White also represents companies from a range of industries in consumer protection, trade secret, and government enforcement matters. Fluent in Mandarin, Mr. White also regularly represents Chinese companies in U.S. Courts and other arbitral proceedings.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Mr. White was a litigation associate at a large international law firm. He previously clerked for the Honorable Stanley R. Chesler, United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

Mr. White earned his law degree from New York University School of Law in 2015. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, cum laude, from Amherst College.

Mr. White is admitted to practice in California, New York, and New Jersey, as well as before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Ninth and Federal Circuits and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of California, Central District of California, Southern District of California, and Southern District of New York.

Representative Matters*:

Represented a public medical device company in expedited litigation and trial in the Delaware Court of Chancery regarding preferred shareholder rights relating to ownership stake in early-stage med tech company.
Represented a global insurance company and real estate investor in multiple lawsuits across the United States seeking to uncover and enjoin ongoing real estate fraud; obtained eight-figure civil RICO judgment for client.
Represented a public biotechnology company in a federal securities class action and related shareholder derivative litigation pending in the Northern District of California and California State Court.
Represented an international hedge fund in a dispute with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation pending in the District of Columbia relating to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.
Represented a software technology company in a shareholder class action pending in Delaware Chancery Court arising from a going private transaction with the company’s largest stockholder.
Represented a global social media company in multidistrict litigation pending in the Northern District of California involving consumer protection and product liability claims.
Represented the former directors and officers of a large oil field services company in a shareholder class action in Delaware Chancery Court relating to the company’s merger with an oil segment of a large conglomerate.
Represented an investment fund in a qui tam lawsuit pending in California State Court relating to claims under the California Insurance Frauds Prevention Act.
Represented a global investment bank and banking syndicate in multiple state and federal securities class actions arising from the IPO of a technology company.
Represented a public biopharmaceutical company in a federal securities class action and related regulatory investigation arising from certain public statements made by the Company and its senior executives.
Represented a public biopharmaceutical company in a lawsuit alleging trade secret misappropriation and patent infringement. Obtained dismissal of all claims and affirmance of appeals to the Courts of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit and Federal Circuit.
Represented the minority shareholders and former officers of a bitcoin start-up company in a dispute with the majority shareholder relating to alleged breaches of contract and breaches of fiduciary duty.
Represented a publicly-held Chinese electronics company in a dispute with a U.S. medical device maker relating to alleged breaches of a technology licensing agreement. Obtained dismissal of company from lawsuit.
Represented a foreign petrochemical company in a dispute with its joint venture partner relating to an option agreement and the acquisition of membership interests.
Represented a corporate officer of a U.S. automobile company in a multi-plaintiff securities litigation in federal court in Delaware. Assisted in obtaining dismissal of class action claims in related action commenced in federal court in Illinois.
Represented a semiconductor company in a dispute with a Chinese computer manufacturer over breach of technology license agreements. Successfully settled dispute after winning default judgment.
Represented a data storage company in a dispute arising from the calculation and payment of an ‘earnout’ payment in connection with the acquisition of a private company. Obtained favorable settlement after successful motion to compel arbitration.

*Includes matters prior to joining Gibson Dunn.

Austin V. Schwing is a partner in the San Francisco office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Austin sits on the Steering Committee of the firm’s Class Actions Practice Group and is a member of the firm’s Antitrust Practice Group. Austin has served as co-chair of the Consumer Class Action Subcommittee of the American Bar Association. He has substantial experience with complex, large-scale commercial litigation, including consumer and antitrust litigation. His litigation and counseling experience includes work for companies in many sectors, including the finance, commercial goods and services, manufacturing, energy, high-technology, professional services, and defense industries. Austin regularly advises clients on consumer protection issues and financial products. Law360 has named Austin one of the top class action lawyers in the United States.

Representative matters include:

Successfully defended Flying J, then the United States’ largest retailer of diesel fuel, in 28-state multidistrict consumer class action alleging several billion dollars in damages.
Successfully represented DraftKings in multidistrict litigation challenging the legality of daily fantasy sports.
Successfully represented Uber Technologies, Inc. in several purported class actions brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Defeated multiple class actions for Intuit, Inc., including cases raising alleged violation of consumer finance and privacy laws.
Successfully represented Doordash, Inc. in purported class action brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Successfully represented Nike, Inc. in multiple cases, including a class action case relating to its Nike+ FuelBands.
Successfully represented Stream Energy in consumer class actions relating to billing issues.
Obtained summary judgment for State Farm, Inc. in cost-of-insurance class action.
Secured dismissal with prejudice of class action against Etsy, Inc. alleging violation of California’s greenwashing laws.
Successfully defended leading technology company in a privacy-related class action before the California Supreme Court, resulting in judgment in favor of the client.
Defeated class certification and secured summary judgment for eHarmony in a consumer class action lawsuit in California federal court.
Defeated numerous consumer class actions for Avis and Budget in several state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Defeated purported nationwide class of purchasers of allegedly defective printers for Hewlett-Packard.
Defeated consumer class action relating to electricity smart grid in California for Landis+Gyr.
Defeated class action for UBS relating to tax-consequences of foreign accounts.
Successfully defended Wal-Mart Inc. in massive wage-and-hour class action.
Successfully represented Nike, Inc. in antitrust case resulting in dismissal with prejudice and sanctions against Plaintiff’s counsel.
Successfully represented Meta Platforms, Inc. in multiple class actions and lawsuits brought by Attorneys General across the United States.
Successfully represented Origins and Aveda in multiple class actions regarding redemption of gift cards.
Defended Sempra Energy, California’s largest utility, and its affiliates in a several-month-long trial involving multiple antitrust and consumer class actions alleging $21 billion in damages.
Successfully defended Chunghwa Picture Tubes in massive multidistrict litigation relating to alleged price-fixing of LCD panels.
Successfully defended Chunghwa Picture Tubes in massive multidistrict litigation relating to alleged price-fixing of cathode ray tubes.
Successfully defended Maximus, Inc. against allegations of breach of contract and tort claims relating to its implementation of California’s Lifeline telephony service, obtaining a complete dismissal.
Represented pharmaceutical company in multiple class actions alleging monopolization under Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
Defended the world’s largest manufacturer of semiconductor tools in antitrust and intellectual property lawsuit.
Represented the world’s largest manufacturer of computer networking equipment in antitrust monopolization and tying claim.
Defended popular brand-name-apparel company in securities class action and Sarbanes-Oxley Act whistleblower case.
Successfully defended Lockheed Martin in tort action involving hundreds of claimants, obtaining a complete dismissal.

Austin is heavily involved in pro bono activities and serves as a liaison between the firm and several nonprofit organizations.

Austin received his law degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in 2000, where he graduated as a member of the Order of the Coif. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of San Francisco in 1997, where he graduated with honors.

Austin is a member of the State Bar of California. He has handled cases in many states across the country.

Robert is a partner in the London and Paris offices and the Co-Chair of the firm’s Geopolitical Strategy and International Law Practice Group, Artificial Intelligence Practice Group, and of the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Practice Group. He is a Barrister before the Courts of England and Wales, a member of the Paris Bar and the Icelandic Bar.

Robert is one of Europe’s leading platform and technology litigators for multinational companies before the Court of Justice of the European Union and leads a multidisciplinary team on regulatory compliance and strategic engagement with regulators in the field of digital rights, online platform regulation, data protection and on the intersection between artificial intelligence and fundamental rights. He is among Europe’s foremost experts on the EU’s Digital Services Act and the EU AI Act. He leads a team that coordinates cross-border disputes with local counsel before the national courts of the United Kingdom and Member States of the European Union.

He is a leading expert in geopolitical strategy and international law, in particular advising multinational companies and sovereigns navigating the interplay between the United States and the law and regulatory structure of the European Union. He is one of the world’s leading authorities in public international law, business and human rights and the law of the European Convention on Human Rights, principles of business and human rights (ESG, environment, social and governance) and governmental affairs and policy, bringing unparalleled experience from senior roles in the judiciary, private practice and academia. Clients have stated that “Robert Spano is a highly authoritative figure in public international law, who draws effectively on his wealth of experience as the former President of the European Court of Human Rights”.

Robert is ranked by Chambers and Partners as a Global Market Leader in Business and Human Rights Law in its 2026 Global Guide, clients emphasising his ability to bring his human rights expertise into the corporate context. He is listed in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom as a leading lawyer for Human Rights and Public International Law. He is also recognised by The Legal 500 UK 2025 for International Arbitration, Public International Law, TMT, Administrative and public law, Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity, ESG and Artificial Intelligence. He is also named to Lawdragon’s 100 Leading AI & Legal Tech Advisors (2024-2026) and 500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers lists (2024-2025).

He is the former president of the European Court of Human Rights, the youngest judge ever to be elected to the presidency in the Court’s 60 year history. When leaving the Court his colleagues published a Liber Amicorum in his honour stating that ‘during his term as president he demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, showing creativity and imagination in improving the functioning of the Strasbourg institution”.

Robert sits on the Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators of the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and is an honorary bencher of the Middle Temple.

Recent and ongoing representations include:

EU Litigation, Platform Regulation/Compliance and Artificial Intelligence

Counsel of Record for a multinational tech company before the Court of Justice of the European Union in a challenge against the European Commission’s designation of the company as a Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act (Case T-91/26, C-40/26 P, and T-367/23 R).
Counsel of Record for a multinational tech company on appeal before the Court of Justice of the European Union challenging the imposition by the European Commission of a supervisory fee under the Digital Services Act (Case C-745/25 P).
Counsel of Record for a multinational tech company challenging the imposition by the European Commission of a supervisory fee under the Digital Services Act before the General Court of the European Union (Case, T-91/26).
Advising a multinational tech company in a number of investigations by the European Commission (Preliminary Findings) under the Digital Services Act.
Advising a multinational tech company on EU/ECHR law in competition proceedings before the German national courts.
Advising a number of global online platforms on regulatory compliance in the implementation of the EU’s Digital Services Act.
Advising a number of multinational companies on EU/ECHR law aspects in tax and competition proceedings before national EU authorities and courts.
Advising Kronospan AG on EU/ECHR law aspects in appeal proceedings before the Polish Supreme Court.
Representing Kronospan AG on EU law aspects in the tax field before the European Commission.
Advising a multinational tech company in appeal proceedings under the GDPR (‘General Data Protection Regulation’) before the Luxembourg Court of Appeal and the French Council of State.
Advising a multinational company on the intersection between artificial intelligence and fundamental rights under EU law.
Advising a multinational company on the interplay between the EU AI Act and the GDPR.
Advising a multinational company on AI governance and the use of generative AI in product development.
Advising a multinational company in the EU consumer protection field on access to documents before national authorities and the European Commission.

Geopolitical Strategy and International Law, the European Convention on Human Rights, Climate Change law, Business and Human Rights and International Arbitration

Advised a multinational finance institution on EU/ECHR law in criminal proceedings before the French national courts.
Advising a multinational bank in proceedings before the United Nations’ Global Compact under international human rights law.
Advising a global petrochemical company on issues under EU climate law law, ECHR law and international climate law.
Advising a multinational bank in tort proceedings before the US Federal Courts on issues under public international law and international human rights law.
Advising a multinational company in the oil & gas industry on litigation and regulatory compliance issues under EU law and international climate law.
Advising a US multinational company in cross-border tort litigation before the Dutch national courts.
Advising a number of multinational companies on regulatory compliance issues under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (‘CSDDD’).
Counsel for the defendant in an international commercial arbitration in the aluminium and energy sectors.
Provided an independent expert opinion in enforcement proceedings under the ICSID-Convention.
Provided an independent expert opinion in an ongoing dispute between Sovereign States under public international law and international human rights law.
Advising a sovereign state in the establishment of a new international treaty-based organisation for the promotion of regional economic and environmental collaboration.
Advising the National Power Company of Iceland (Landsvirkjun) on its compliance with the minimum safeguards criteria of the EU Taxonomy Regulation.
Advising multinational companies on disclosures under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (‘CSRD’).
Advising multinational companies on business and human rights obligations under EU law and international human rights law.
Advising a multinational company on the legal status of its employees resident in a third-state under international human rights law.
Drafted a report, at the request of the Prime Minister of Iceland, on amendments to the human rights chapter of the Constitution of the Republic of Iceland.

Robert is a visiting professor of law at the University of Oxford and also serves part-time as a tenured professor of law at the University of Iceland, where he served as dean of the faculty before being elected to the international judiciary.

Robert graduated with a Magister Juris Degree in European and Comparative Law from the University of Oxford where he was awarded the Clifford Chance Prize (proxime accessit) and the Civil Procedure Prize for his scholastic achievements. Prior to his studies at Oxford, he studied international trade law and EU law at the University of Leuven, Belgium, and graduated with a Candidatus Juris Degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Iceland.

Robert is admitted to the Icelandic Bar (EEA lawyer) and is a registered foreign lawyer in the United Kingdom.

He is fluent in English, French, Italian, Danish and is a native Icelandic speaker.

Professional activities and pro-bono service

Member, Board of the Register of Damage for Ukraine.
Arbitrator, ICSID Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators, World Bank.
President of the Board of Patrons, Gender Champions in the Judiciary Network.
Visiting Fellow, Mansfield College, Oxford.
Member, Board of the Academy of International Affairs (NRW), Bonn.
Patron, ELSA (European Law Student’s Association) Law Review.
Member, Advisory Board, ECHR Law Review.
Member, Advisory Board, School of Law and Social Justice, University of Liverpool.

Emily Whitcher is an associate in the Orange County office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She is a member of the Intellectual Property Practice Group, focusing on patent and trade secret litigation. She also advises clients on corporate matters and conducts freedom to operate analyses.

Emily has significant experience in all stages of litigation — ranging from initial claim investigation to achieving a favorable jury verdict upheld on appeal.

Emily has litigated high-stakes cases for both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of forums, including federal courts, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), the International Trade Commission (ITC), and arbitration panels. She leverages her technical background in bioengineering to counsel clients in a wide range of industries, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, video streaming technology, networking, semiconductors, software, electronics, mechanical devices, virtual reality, and interactive entertainment.

Emily has been instrumental in developing case strategy, managing complex discovery, taking and defending depositions, arguing at court hearings, and developing successful summary judgment and Daubert arguments. She also has significant patent trial experience, including directing and cross-examining fact and expert witnesses at successful jury trials. She was recently a key member of a trial team that achieved an across-the-board defense jury verdict finding noninfringement, invalidity, prior commercial use — the first known defense verdict on the prior commercial use defense under 35 U.S.C. § 273(a) in the United States.

Emily litigates issues in all areas of patent law, including validity, infringement, enforceability, and damages. She has an unparalleled attention to detail and will relentlessly advocate for her clients. She often develops creative defenses that have been successful at trial and offer clients a strong negotiation position.

Emily earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 2015.

Emily graduated with a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, and a Master of Science in bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012, where she was admitted to the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society.

Emily is admitted to practice in the States of California and New York and before the United States District Courts for the Central and Northern Districts of California, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the Eastern District of Texas. She is also a registered patent attorney before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn in 2021, Emily was an associate at Jones Day and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Riley Segars is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn, where he currently practices in the firm’s Litigation Department.

Before joining Gibson Dunn, Riley served as a law clerk to the Honorable Julius N. Richardson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and to the Honorable Timothy J. Kelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Riley earned his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2023. While in law school, he served as an Executive Editor of the Virginia Law Review and was a member of the Appellate Litigation Clinic. Before law school, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma, where he majored in International Studies and Spanish.

Riley is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Joe Bielek is an associate in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn. Joe practices with the firm’s Real Estate Department.

Joe represents clients across the capital and debt stack, working with private equity sponsors, real estate funds, institutional and non-institutional investors, developers, operators, lenders, and borrowers in negotiating and structuring real estate joint ventures, acquisitions, sales, developments, management agreements and financings in a varied set of markets and for a comprehensive array of asset types, including multi-family assets, hotels and resorts, raw land, manufactured housing and RV parks, marinas, student housing facilities, office buildings, warehouses, and industrial projects.

Joe earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from New York Law School in 2019, where he served as a Staff Editor for the New York Law School Law Review. In 2015, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Arizona State University, where he was also a member of the baseball team.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Joe was an associate in the Real Estate Department at a New York law firm.

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

Oliver is an associate in the London office of Gibson Dunn and is a member of the firm’s Private Equity and M&A practice groups.

He advises private equity sponsors and other financial investors on a broad range of complex transactions, including cross-border acquisitions, disposals, co-investments and joint ventures.

Oliver trained at Gibson Dunn and was subsequently seconded to the digital infrastructure team of Blue Owl Capital.

Oliver’s experience includes advising:

Oaktree on its $1.1bn disposal of the OEG Group to Apollo
Oaktree on its acquisition of the LED Group
RedBird IMI on its £575 million disposal of its interests in The Telegraph to Axel Springer
RedBird IMI on its disposal of its interests in The Spectator
Blue Owl Digital Infrastructure on its disposal of seven European data centre assets to Apollo
A global financial sponsor on its £1.2bn disposal of a UK healthcare business

Kahn Scolnick is an appellate and litigation partner in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn. He serves as Co-Partner in Charge of the Los Angeles and Century City offices, Co-Chair of the firm’s Class Actions Practice Group, and is also an active member of the Appellate and Constitutional Law, Insurance and Reinsurance, and Securities Litigation Practice Groups, among others. He specializes in class actions, complex commercial cases, and litigating a variety of constitutional issues — both in the trial courts and on appeal.

Representative trial court experience:

Obtained a bench trial win in a California trial court vacating the California Insurance Commissioner’s $173 million penalty issued under the Unfair Insurance Practices Act (the largest such penalty ever issued to date).
Won a complete summary judgment victory for a major auto insurance company in California in a certified nationwide class action seeking nearly a billion dollars in damages and attempting to force the company to change its core business model.
Defeated a proposed nationwide false advertising class action against a major Medicare Advantage insurer based on preemption.
Defeated class certification in a novel “no poach” class action against a major sandwich restaurant chain.
Obtained dismissal with prejudice of a discrimination class action suit against an auto insurance company in federal court in Washington.
Was part of the trial team that successfully represented Chevron Corporation in a RICO case against those seeking to extort billions of dollars from the company based on a fraudulently procured multi-billion-dollar judgment in Ecuador.
Defeated class certification in a discrimination case against an auto insurance company in California; the plaintiffs then voluntarily dismissed their individual claims with prejudice.
Defended a city in a lengthy bench trial alleging a violation of the California Voting Rights Act and Equal Protection Clause.
Won a complete defense verdict following a lengthy bench trial before the California Superior Court in two consolidated nationwide class actions against a commercial mortgage lender.
Successfully opposed a preliminary injunction in Nevada seeking to enjoin a $2.8 billion merger of two gaming companies.
Won judgment on the pleadings of the defendants’ sole affirmative defense (unclean hands) in a contentious corporate dispute in the Delaware Chancery Court.

Representative appellate experience:

Obtained a unanimous decision from the California Supreme Court in favor of his client in a Medicare Part C pre-emption case.
Secured a published decision from the California Court of Appeal striking down a $100 million rate increase and refund order by the California Insurance Commissioner.
Won in the California Court of Appeal against an attempt to defeat an arbitration clause based on a novel reading of the California Health & Safety Code’s disclosure requirements.
Prevailed in the California Court of Appeal in a high-profile, multi-jurisdictional dispute between a major law firm and its former partner (the case is now pending before the California Supreme Court).
Persuaded the California Court of Appeal to reverse a trial court judgment finding a city liable for violating the Equal Protection Clause, based on the City’s method of electing its council.
Obtained reversal from the California Court of Appeal of the trial court’s grant of an anti-SLAPP motion against his client.
Won a major victory in the California Court of Appeal in a CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) case that will transform the way cargo moves through the Port of LA.
Obtained a published decision from the California Court of Appeal affirming summary judgment in a “finder’s fee” dispute on behalf of a real estate investment company.
Advised the inaugural California Citizens Redistricting Commission on a variety of legal issues including the Voting Rights Act and equal protection, and then successfully defended the Commission’s maps against an assortment of constitutional and statutory claims before the California Supreme Court.
Secured the reversals on appeal of judgments totaling $295 million in three certified class actions in New Mexico and California involving installment payment plans for auto insurance policies.
Persuaded the California Court of Appeal to affirm summary judgment in a high-profile “taxpayer” action challenging the constitutionality of a California statute.

Kahn graduated magna cum laude in 2003 from the University of San Diego, School of Law. He was a lead articles editor for the San Diego Law Review and was awarded the Outstanding Student in Constitutional Law. Kahn received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy Studies, with honors, from Michigan State University in 2000.

Before joining the firm in 2006, Kahn served as a law clerk to Judge Ferdinand F. Fernandez of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (2005–06), and as a law clerk to Judge Dana M. Sabraw of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California (2003–05). While in law school, Kahn served as a judicial extern to Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and also to Magistrate Judge Louisa S. Porter of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.

Kahn has published and spoken on a variety of topics, including class actions, trial practice, civil procedure, punitive damages, voting rights, and constitutional issues. He was recently “Recommended” by The Legal 500 for his work in Insurance and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Appellate and Securities Litigation. Kahn was also named a Southern California “Rising Star” eight times by Los Angeles Magazine and Southern California Super Lawyers. He serves as the president of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA); he’s the immediate past president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers (ABTL); and he is a member of the Chancery Club in Los Angeles.

Kahn is a member of the California Bar. He is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Central Districts of California.

Andrew Mitchell is a litigation associate in the Dallas office of Gibson Dunn.

Andrew’s practice focuses on representing both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation and high-stakes business disputes in federal and state courts. He has significant experience preparing complex cases for trial and handling disputes across all phases of litigation. He has also litigated appeals and critical motions in federal and state courts across the country.

Recent Representative Matters:

Secured a $46 million jury verdict and defeated all counterclaims as a core member of the trial team representing the minority owner and former CEO of a well-known pizza brand in a dispute with the majority owner over self-dealing and withheld distributions. Texas Lawbook profiled the victory, and The American Lawyer selected it as Runner-Up for Litigators of the Week. GCP Cici’s v. Dharod, No. DC-24-01196 (Dallas Cty. Dist. Ct.).
Represented GE Vernova in litigation involving approximately $400 million in claimed damages arising from failed plans to construct power plants using adapted jet engines. Secured summary judgment in favor of GE Vernova.
Represented Howmet Aerospace in Pennsylvania state court in a dispute involving claims for breach of contract and fraud. Played a key role in developing the litigation strategy that led to a favorable settlement.
Represented a Texas game ranch in a dispute involving genetic testing of animals. Led the negotiations that resulted in a favorable settlement.

Before joining Gibson Dunn, Andrew served as a law clerk to the Honorable Raymond M. Kethledge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Honorable Mark T. Pittman of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Andrew earned his J.D., with Honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif and served as Chief Notes Editor of the Texas Law Review. He received his Bachelor of Science from Texas Christian University, where he was a member of the varsity baseball team and was selected to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. Prior to law school, Andrew played professional baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization.

Andrew is a member of the State Bar of Texas. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Maithili (pronounced “Meth-lee”) Bagaria is an associate attorney in the Houston office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Finance Practice Group.

Maithili’s practice focuses on advising public companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, commercial banks, and other financial institutions in domestic and cross border debt financing transactions, including leveraged acquisitions, secured and unsecured corporate credit facilities and debt restructurings.

Maithili received her law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 2021 and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Public Policy from Rice University in 2015, and is admitted to practice law in the State of Texas.

Maithili has worked in both the Singapore and Houston offices of Gibson Dunn. She speaks English, Hindi and conversational Thai.

Chris Bachand-Parente is Of Counsel in the New York office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the Real Estate Practice Group. His practice focuses on complex real estate transactions, including lender and borrower side financing transactions, joint ventures, and restructurings across asset types.

Chris represents domestic and international banks, investment firms, private funds, operating companies, and non-profit organizations. His extensive financing practice has involved the origination, syndication, structuring, securitization, and work-out of mortgage and mezzanine loans, term loans, loan-on-loans, and subscription facilities.

Chris has been listed as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch™ in Real Estate Law, and has also been recognized as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for New York Metro since 2020 and a Thomson Reuters “Stand-out Lawyer” (and its predecessor, Acritas “Star Lawyer”) since 2019.

Chris received his Juris Doctor in 2014 from New York University School of Law, cum laude. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors in economics, from Dartmouth College in 2011.

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

Yehuda Auman is an associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn. He currently practices in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. Yehuda’s practice covers a broad range of real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures, financings, leasing, construction and development, restructurings, recapitalizations, and foreclosures of various classes of real estate assets.

Yehuda earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from Fordham University in 2018 where he was an associate editor of the Fordham International Law Journal and was a Ruth Whitehead Whaley Scholar. Yehuda received his Master of Arts in 2014 and Bachelor of Arts in 2011 in Talmudic Law from Rabbinical Academy Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin. He is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

Andrew Atallah is an associate attorney in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn. Andrew is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group.

Andrew represents private equity funds, institutional and non-institutional real estate investors, developers, operators, lenders, and borrowers in negotiating and structuring real estate joint ventures, acquisitions, sales, developments, and financings.

He earned his Juris Doctor in 2017 from The George Washington University Law School, where he graduated with honors and was a George Washington Scholar. Andrew received his Bachelor of Arts in both History and Political Science in 2014 from Arizona State University, where he graduated summa cum laude from the University’s Honors College.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Andrew practiced as a real estate associate at a New York City law firm.

He is admitted to practice law in New York and California.

Ray is a member of the firm’s Finance Practice Group. She advises corporations, private equity sponsors, and financial institutions in a range of banking and debt financing transactions, including syndicated loans, asset-based loans, acquisition financings, senior credit facilities, mezzanine financings, private placements, exit financings, and out-of-court restructurings.

Ray received her Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School.