Vincent Poilleux is an of counsel in the Paris office of Gibson Dunn, where he practices as a member of the Derivatives, Finance, Capital Markets, and Financial Institutions Practice Groups.

Vincent advises funds, corporates, and financial institutions on the regulatory and transactional aspects of derivatives, structured finance transactions, repos, and securities lending transactions, across all asset classes and on both domestic and international projects.

He offers his strong expertise in strategic equity derivatives, including public M&A transactions related derivatives (acquisition, management, hedging and disinvestment of listed stakes), equity financings, non-dilutive cash convertible bonds, hedging of equity-linked securities (calls, call spreads, stock lending arrangements), structured share buybacks, and leveraged employee stock ownership plans.

Vincent also has extensive experience in fixed income derivatives, particularly in hedging transactions in the context of all types of M&A, financing and securitisation transactions, including deal contingent derivatives.

In addition, Vincent regularly advises clients on bespoke and complex structured financings, with a strong focus on margin loans and fund financings (subscription, NAV, and hybrid facilities), as well as digital bonds and other crypto-assets, joint venture structures with embedded financial products, and securitizations.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn in 2023, Vincent worked for four years in the strategic equity transactions team of a leading investment bank and practiced for ten years in the capital markets and structured finance teams of two Magic Circle law firms.

Admitted to the Paris bar, Vincent holds a Master’s degree in Banking and Financial Law and a Master’s degree in Business Law from Paris II – Panthéon-Assas University.

He speaks French and English fluently.

Noémie Massé is an associate in the Paris office of Gibson Dunn, where she serves as member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group.

Noémie specializes in employment law, notably advising seamlessly French and international clients on issues related to both collective or individual work relationships.

Her scope includes advice in the context of clients’ daily activities (collective agreements, employment contract terminations, relations with employee representatives) or strategic operations such as restructuring (collective redundancy plans), transfer or closure of business, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn in 2024, she practiced with a leading British/Australian firm for 1.5 years.

Admitted to the Paris bar since 2023, Noémie graduated from University Lumière Lyon 2 with a master’s degree in labor law.

She speaks French and English fluently.

Vera Lukic is a partner in the Paris office of Gibson Dunn where she serves as a member of the firm’s Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Data Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, Strategic Sourcing and Commercial Contracts, and Technology Transactions Practice Groups. 

Vera has developed an extensive expertise in Europe in a broad range of matters related to technology and innovation, acting as a strategic advisor to clients for their complex transactions, including outsourcing projects in regulated industries, as well as managing contractual disputes, such as licensing compliance issues, and digital-related projects, including in relation to artificial intelligence. She regularly advises on technology aspects of M&A and PE transactions.

Vera also specializes in data protection and cybersecurity, assisting companies on their global privacy compliance programs, such as compliance with the GDPR, ePrivacy Directive and AI Act, and representing clients in investigations and inquiries by regulators. She assists clients across jurisdictions and a wide array of sectors navigate the numerous European regulations and developments in privacy, data, cybersecurity, and AI, identifying opportunities and managing impacts on their business. 

Vera is recognized as a notable practitioner for her work in the technology sector in Europe. She has received several accolades:

  • Chambers Europe has ranked Vera in its Information Technology category, with clients’ feedback highlighting that she is an “excellent expert,” “highly available,” “reactive,” and “efficient” with “quick understanding of the customer’s needs.”
  • The Legal 500 EMEA has distinguished Vera among the French market’s Leading Partners, endorsed by clients and peers alike, in two categories “IT/Internet” and “Data Privacy/Data Protection.” In previous editions, clients alluded to her as a “key name,” “very involved,” “always very available,” and as having “a very business-oriented approach.”
  • Best Lawyers in France has named her its Lawyer of the Year in 2026 for Outsourcing, as well as in 2022 for Technology Law and again in 2024 for Outsourcing, and has consistently recommended her for Information Technology, Privacy, and Data Security Law since 2020.
  • In recognition of her outstanding legal expertise and contributions to the field, Vera has been featured in the Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) in France since 2022.

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2007, Vera graduated in 2004 from University of Paris XI Jean Monnet, where she received a Master I in Business Law and a Master II in IT/Digital Law.

Vera speaks French and English fluently.

Emma Lavaysse di Battista is an associate in the Paris office of Gibson Dunn, where she serves as a member of the Firm’s Energy & Infrastructure and Power and Renewables Practice Groups.

Emma advises a wide range of French and international clients in connection with their infrastructure, telecommunications, energy transition and energy (conventional and renewables) and transport projects. She has significant experience in structured finance transactions, such as complex cross-border project financing and infrastructure acquisition transactions, as well as in infrastructure and energy M&A transactions.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn in 2023, she practiced in the Energy & Infrastructure department of a Magic Circle law firm in Paris.

Admitted to the Quebec Bar since December 2022 and to the Paris Bar since February 2024, Emma graduated with a law degree from Université de Montréal and a degree in Banking and Financial law from Université du Mans.

She speaks French and English fluently.

Hermine Hubert is an associate in the Paris office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Technology Transactions & Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation Practice Groups.

Hermine focuses on information technology & digital transactions, outsourcing, data privacy, and cybersecurity. She assists a wide range of clients active in luxury, technology, life sciences, defense, automotive, and e-commerce sectors in data privacy, data protection law, and GDPR compliance programs.

She also advises on strategic digital-related projects (Artificial Intelligence, NFTs, Metaverse, Big Data, Cloud-based solutions, Internet of Things, e-commerce or IaaS/PaaS), and key EU digital laws and policies including the Artificial Intelligence Act and the Digital Services Act (DSA). Hermine also regularly works on privacy litigation matters before the CNIL, the French data protection authority. She has developed specific expertise in the field of space and electronic communications law.

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2023, Hermine graduated with a Master’s degree in Space and Telecommunications Law from University Paris-Saclay.

She speaks French and English fluently.  

Mélanie Gerrer is an associate in the Paris office of Gibson Dunn and member of the firm’s Litigation, International Arbitration, and Business Restructuring Practice Groups.

Her practices focus on restructuring and dispute resolution.

Mélanie acts on debt restructuring, where she advises companies of all sizes and sectors, insolvency practitioners, debtors and creditors in connection with pre-insolvency (ad hoc mandate and conciliation proceedings) and insolvency proceedings (safeguard, accelerated safeguard, reorganization, and liquidation proceedings).

She is experienced in insolvency litigation such as liability actions for insufficient assets, grace period requests and disputes arising in the context of classes of affected parties.

Melanie is also experienced in dispute resolution where she advises clients on a variety of topics from civil law to commercial litigation.

Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2025, she graduated with a Master in Economic Law in 2021 from SciencesPo Paris, as well as a Master’s degree in Financial Law from the University Paris I – Panthéon Sorbonne in 2023. Mélanie also holds a certificate in Insolvency and Business Restructuring Law with distinction from Université Paris I – Panthéon Sorbonne (2021).

She speaks French and English fluently and has good working knowledge of German.

Naima Farrell is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn. She is a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment and Litigation Departments.

Naima has represented clients in a wide range of employment litigation matters, including cases involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage-and-hour violations. Naima has significant experience in defending against employment-related class and collective actions. She has represented employers in federal district and appellate courts across the country, as well as in arbitration and mediation, and before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other federal and state employment agencies. Most recently, Lawdragon named Naima among its “500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers” (2026) and Best Lawyers in America© recognized her as “One to Watch” in Appellate Practice (2023).

Recent representative litigation matters include:

  • Obtained dismissal of a putative wage-and-hour class and collective action for a major retailer; then secured affirmance in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
  • Secured a complete defense victory on a former employee’s allegations of age discrimination following a five-day arbitration in Washington, D.C.
  • Successfully defended a global company against novel, wide-ranging claims of age discrimination in social media advertising.
  • Won a motion to compel individual arbitration in a putative wage-and-hour class and collective action on behalf of a large technology company.
  • Secured decertification of a large disability discrimination class action before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
  • Defeated two attempts at class certification in a 31-plaintiff sexual harassment lawsuit.
  • Represented an employer in a high-stakes breach of contract and trade secrets dispute with a former executive, which settled favorably after a three-week arbitration.

In addition to her litigation experience, Naima often advises clients on employment-related issues ranging from sensitive personnel decisions to employee classification; conducts pre-litigation investigations of employment-related claims; and assists clients in drafting and reviewing employment agreements and policies.

Naima also has a vibrant pro bono practice, with a particular focus on immigration issues and constitutional challenges. Naima previously served on the Legal Advisory Committee for the Amica Center and was named to their Pro Bono Honor Roll in recognition of her work on behalf a young victim of human trafficking.

Recent representative pro bono matters include:

  • Successfully briefed and argued a motion for preliminary injunction in a lawsuit asserting constitutional claims on behalf of immigrants detained at Farmville Detention Center during a massive and lethal COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Submitted an amicus brief on behalf of an immigrant advocacy organization in an appeal challenging the government’s termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program.
  • Represented a young man from El Salvador seeking immigration relief before the Board of Immigration Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
  • Obtained a visa for victims of human trafficking for a young woman from Honduras.
  • Represented a local non-profit organization in response to a confidential inquiry by D.C. Office of the Attorney General.

Before joining the firm, Naima served as a law clerk to the Honorable O. Rogeriee Thompson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She received her law degree magna cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2013, where she was inducted into the Order of the Coif and served as an articles editor of the Georgetown Journal of International Law. She also worked as a student attorney in Georgetown’s Center for Applied Legal Studies, where she successfully represented a client seeking asylum, and interned for the Public Defender Service of the District of Columbia.

Prior to practicing law, Naima served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bénin. She graduated from Yale University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Ethics, Politics, and Economics.

Naima is a member of the Massachusetts and the District of Columbia bars. She is admitted to practice before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Eighth, and Ninth Circuits, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the District of Columbia, the District of Colorado, and the Eastern District of Michigan. She is a member of the firm’s Global Pro Bono Committee.

Ben’s practice is focused on the development and financing of complex, large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on energy transition, conventional power and water, and oil and gas projects. He regularly advises both sponsors and lenders on innovative, “first-in-kind” projects and has worked with the leading clients in the energy sector in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cambridge and is admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales. He is ranked in Chambers UK 2024 for Projects, Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024 for Vietnam – projects, infrastructure and energy and for the past decade he has been consistently ranked in Chambers Global for projects, infrastructure and energy. Ben has been recognised by The Legal 500 UK 2024 for Power (including Electricity, Nuclear and Renewables). He is twice a Law360 MVP winner for Project Finance.

Ben was at his previous firm for 23 years, where he served as Global Project Development & Finance Practice Group Leader.

Selected experience*:

Energy Transition

  • NEOM Company, Saudi Arabia’s new city gigaproject development company, on a $6.5 billion green energy joint venture with ACWA Power and Air Products that will incorporate the region’s largest wind and solar renewables production projects (4 GW in total), more than 400 MW of battery storage and a ground-breaking green hydrogen /green ammonia export project. Awarded deal of the year at the PFI awards 2022.
  • A leading industrial gases company in relation to an O&M service contract for a potential hydrogen cluster in the UK.
  • A leading industrial gases company in relation to construction arrangements for potential hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK.
  • A global commodities company in relation to potential supply arrangements with a European government.
  • A global industrial conglomerate in relation to a proposed green steel joint venture in the GCC.

Power and Water

  • The lenders on the $12.5 billion joint venture for the Jazan IGCC / ASU project, one of the largest project financings in 2021. Awarded Global Deal of the Year at the PFI Awards, 2021 and MENA Hybrid Energy Deal of the Year at the IJGlobal Awards, 2021
  • Marubeni, Sojitz and Pertamina, as sponsors, on the development and financing of the Jawa 1 LNG to power project in Indonesia
  • The sponsors on all aspects of the development and financing of the Thilawa LNG to Power Project in Myanmar
  • The lenders on the development and financing of the 200 MW Saih al Dahal (“DEWA Solar”) independent power generation plant in Dubai using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology
  • The lenders on a bid for the DEWA 800 MW Solar Photovoltaic IPP Project in Dubai
  • Masdar and PJBI on the development of the 145 MW Cirata floating PV project in Indonesia
  • The sponsors on a bid for the development and financing of five separate wind farm projects with an aggregate capacity of 850 MW in Morocco
  • The lenders on the refinancing of the RAWEC IWSPP
  • The note purchasers, lenders and various agents and account banks on a tiered refinancing comprising a project financing to Shuaibah Two Water Development Project Company and a private placement notes issuance by a DIFC issuer at a different level in the corporate structure
  • The lenders supporting ACWA’s bid for the development and financing of the Al Dur 2 IWPP in Bahrain
  • Sponsors and lenders on 2 IPPs in Vietnam and 2 IPPs in Indonesia
  • The lenders on the financing of the 1,450 MW Ibri and 1,700 MW Sohar 3 IPPs in Oman
  • The lenders supporting the consortium (including ACWA Power) for the Salalah 2 IPP in Oman
  • The lenders (including US Ex-Im, K-Sure, commercial lenders and Islamic financing institutions) on the financing of the $2.1 billion Al Dur IWPP in Bahrain
  • The lenders on Suez Energy International’s $800 million financing of the Barka 2 IWPP and Al Rusail IPP in Oman
  • The lenders on Suez-Tractebel’s approximately $550 million Sohar IWPP in Oman
  • The lenders on Suez-Tractebel’s approximately $490 million Al Ezzel IPP in Bahrain
  • The lenders on the $1.6 billion financing of CMS and International Power’s 1,500 MW and 100 MIGD Shuweihat S1 IWPP in the UAE
  • The lenders on the refinancing of Taweelah A1-10 IWPP, developed by the consortium of Total and GDF Suez
  • AES Corporation on the 820 MW and 40 MIGD IWPP at Ras Laffan, Qatar
  • InterGen, as sponsors, on the development and financing of three BOO Power Projects in Turkey, with a combined output of approximately 3,800 MW. Also advised InterGen on the sale of their equity interests in these projects between 2003 and 2005
  • Lenders on InterGen’s 790 MW Combined Heat and Power plant located at Rotterdam, the Netherlands
  • Lenders on the 860 MW Power Generation Plant located at Spalding, Lincolnshire, UK
  • Lenders to various MENA IWPP bids including Az-Zour North IWPP (Kuwait), Hassyan IPP (Dubai), Barka III / Sohar II IWPPs (Oman), Fujairah 1 IWPP (UAE), Saudi Aramco Cogen (KSA)

Oil and Gas

  • The Dow Chemical Company on the $10.5 billion financial and commercial restructuring of its joint venture with Saudi Aramco in relation to the $20 billion world-scale integrated Sadara chemicals complex in Saudi Arabia. Awarded MENA Petrochemicals Deal of the Year at the IJGlobal Awards, 2021
  • PETRONAS on the development and financing (including bridge and long-term financing) of its approximately $28 billion RAPID (Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development) project
  • PETRONAS on a Bridge Financing relating to the sale to Saudi Aramco of a 50% interest in the refinery and cracker complex and petrochemicals plants forming part of the RAPID project, as well as in other proposed joint venture arrangements in relation to the RAPID project
  • The Dow Chemical Company on the financing of its $20 billion joint venture with Saudi Aramco, Sadara Chemical, which will be the largest petrochemical project ever constructed in a single phase, and the largest project sukuk closed to date
  • PTT in relation to a proposed refinery and petrochemical facility in a joint venture in Asia
  • An international energy company in relation to its upstream concessions in Central Asia.
  • ADNOC on a $3 billion syndicated term facility with a credit risk cover from K-Sure. This constituted ADNOC’s first-ever financing with cover from an ECA and was ranked the single largest ECA supported financing in 2019
  • The mandated lead arrangers on the approximately $1 billion financing of the development of a natural gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean
  • Lenders in relation to the bridge and long-term financings of the development of a natural gas field in the Eastern Mediterranean
  • The lenders including EIB on the financing of the $948 million methanol plant developed by EMethanex, a joint venture of Methanex Corporation of Canada and EChem, the Egyptian national chemical company
  • Various affiliates of the government of a state in the Arabian Gulf on a number of downstream petrochemicals projects
  • The government of a state in the Arabian Gulf on the development of a major upstream gas project
  • Takreer on a downstream JV with OMV and Neste Oil
  • Dolphin Energy on the initial financing of the Dolphin Pipeline Project
  • K-Sure and the commercial lenders on the development and financing of the Bahrain LNG terminal

Other

  • K-EXIM and the other commercial lenders to the preferred bidder for the Muharraq Waste Water and Sewage Treatment Plant in Bahrain
  • ING Barings, Midland Bank plc, National Westminster Bank plc, The Royal Bank of Scotland, as arrangers, on the project financing for the $200 million water treatment project in East Jakarta, Indonesia
  • The Government of Abu Dhabi on the renegotiation of certain UAE-USSR era financings
  • Lenders to Ford Otosan in relation to the ECA financing of its production plants in Turkey
  • A leading technology company on financing its production facilities with various ECAs
  • The lenders on the development of the Blue Curacao airport in the Dutch Antilles
  • ADAC on the development of the Abu Dhabi Midfield Airport Terminal

*Includes matters prior to joining Gibson Dunn

Christine J. Shim is a corporate associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn.

She earned her Juris Doctor in 2015 from New York University School of Law, where she was a Robert McKay Scholar and served as Staff Editor on the Journal of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law.

Christine graduated cum laude in 2011 from Duke University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and a minor in Economics.

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

Galya Savir is an associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Tax Practice Group.

She earned her doctoral degree from University of Virginia School of Law in 2020. Galya received a Tax LL.M. degree from University of Michigan Law School in 2017. She also holds an LL.B. degree and a B.A. degree in economics from University of Haifa, Israel.

Galya has been inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She is the author of a treatise on regulation and tax law in outer space, which has been published by Wolters Kluwer.

She is admitted to practice in the New York and California.

Melody Karmana is a corporate associate in the Singapore office of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher where she currently practices in the firm’s Finance Practice Group. Her practice includes representing private equity sponsors, public corporations and lenders in a variety of banking and other debt finance transactions, including acquisition financings, cash-flow based lending, distressed financings, workouts and restructurings, first and second lien facilities and high yield bonds and notes offerings.

Melody received her Juris Doctor in 2022 from New York University School of Law, where she served a dual role as an Executive Articles Editor and Inclusivity Editor for the Annual Survey of American Law. She is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

Melody is fluent in English, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, and conversational in Mandarin Chinese.

Jocelyn Shih is a corporate associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Strategic Sourcing and Commercial Contracts and Technology Transactions Practice Groups. She has also practiced in the Hong Kong office of the firm, where she represented clients throughout the Asia-Pacific region on technology driven transformations, privacy and cybersecurity.

She specializes in a range of corporate matters, including technology transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and complex commercial agreements. She advises clients on outsourcing the following processes and functions: financial services, facilities management, information technology, application development, human resources, procurement, and finance and accounting. Her practice includes negotiating and drafting consulting and professional services agreements, transition service agreements, software and data licenses, and other strategic arrangements.

She maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing non-profit organizations on commercial and licensing matters and representing individuals in asylum and immigration matters.

Jocelyn earned her Juris Doctor in 2019 from New York University School of Law, where she served as Developments Editor on the Journal of International Law and Politics, participated in the Racial Justice Clinic, and completed an externship at a leading multinational strategy and management consulting firm. Jocelyn earned her undergraduate degree in 2016 from the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated summa cum laude.

Jocelyn currently serves as the Vice Chair of the firm’s global Associates Committee. She is actively involved in diversity and mentorship programming, serving as the Co-Chair of the firm’s Asian American Affinity Group in New York.

Jocelyn is admitted to practice in the State of New York, and is fluent in English and Mandarin.

Andy Sears-Black is an associate in the London office of Gibson Dunn. He currently practices with the firm’s Projects and Infrastructure and Mergers and Acquisitions Practice Groups.

Andy has a broad practice advising corporations, government-owned entities, and financial institutions on a range of energy and infrastructure-related project development and financing transactions, with experience in renewables and energy transition, conventional power and water, and upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Andy trained and practised in the London office of a major international law firm. He received his undergraduate Physics degree from Imperial College London, postgraduate diploma in Economics from Queens’ College, Cambridge, and GDL and LPC MSc from The University of Law.

Andy is admitted to practice in England and Wales.

Selected experience*:

  • Hydro REIN, a renewable energy solutions company in the Nordics and Brazil, on its acquisition of an 80% stake in a portfolio of 25 wind power projects in Sweden and Norway from IOWN Renewable Energy.
  • NEOM Company, Saudi Arabia’s new city gigaproject development company, on a $6.5 billion green energy joint venture with ACWA Power and Air Products that will incorporate the region’s largest wind and solar renewables production projects (4 GW in total), more than 400 MW of battery storage and a ground-breaking green hydrogen /green ammonia export project. This was awarded Green Project of the Year at the Global Hydrogen Summit, 2021.
  • PETRONAS on all aspects, including development and financing, of its approximately $28 billion RAPID (Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development) project and joint venture with Saudi Aramco in Malaysia.
  • The lenders on the $12.5 billion joint venture for the Jazan IGCC / ASU project, that largest grey hydrogen project in the world, which closed in October 2021 and was awarded Global Deal of the Year at the PFI Awards, 2021 and MENA Hybrid Energy Deal of the Year at the IJGlobal Awards, 2021.
  • The Dow Chemical Company on all aspects of the joint venture between Dow and Al Hejailan group to build a plant producing 12 KTA of polyacrylic acid dispersants and 28 KTA of emulsions in Saudi Arabia.
  • Masdar and PJB on the development and financing of Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar power plant (145 MW) in the Cirata reservoir, West Java, Indonesia. Awarded Asia-Pacific Solar Deal of the Year by the PFI Awards, 2021, Renewable Energy Deal of the Year by The Asset Triple A Asia Infrastructure Awards, 2022.
  • KfW-IPEX on the financing of the GNA I LNG-to-power project in Brazil.

*Includes matters prior to joining Gibson Dunn

Benjamin (“Ben”) Saul is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn, where he is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department and Labor & Employment Practice Group. Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, he worked as an associate at a large international law firm representing employers in a wide range of complex labor and employment disputes.

As a former public school teacher, Ben maintains an active pro bono practice focused on children’s advocacy, including child custody, housing conditions, immigration, and special education. 

Ben earned his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served as Executive Editor of the Journal of Law & Politics and received the Earle K. Shawe Labor Relations Award for showing promise of becoming a successful practitioner in the field of labor relations. He also received the Eppa Hunton IV Memorial Book Award for demonstrating unusual aptitude in litigation courses and showing a keen awareness and understanding of the lawyer’s ethical and professional responsibility.

Prior to law school, Ben earned a master’s degree in education from Harvard University and graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in political science from Furman University, where he was selected as a Harry S. Truman Scholar.

Ben is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and before the federal district courts of the District of Columbia and New Mexico, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Celine Teo is an English-qualified associate in the London office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Finance and Transportation and Space Practice Groups.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Celine completed her training contract at another major international law firm, during which she gained experience in global asset finance, focused on aircraft leasing and financing.

Celine is also a member of the Bar of England and Wales.

Sarah Scharf is an associate in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn. She is a key member of the firm’s Technology Transactions and Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation Practice Groups, including as part of the firm’s State Privacy Law Task Force. Sarah has extensive experience advising companies on privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), information technology (IT), and intellectual property (IP) issues, and focuses on complex transactional representations, strategic product counseling, regulatory compliance counseling, and privacy and AI program development. Sarah counsels clients across a range of industries, including technology, software, retail, luxury fashion, sports, media and entertainment, gig economy, real estate, finance, energy, and utility. 

Sarah regularly advises clients on privacy, cybersecurity, and AI considerations, with particular expertise in compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and other comprehensive state privacy laws, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

She also routinely counsels clients on the development, acquisition, licensing, and exploitation of intellectual property, as well as commercial transactions.

Additionally, Sarah advises public and private companies and financial sponsors on privacy, cybersecurity, AI, IT, and IP issues in connection with corporate transactions, including venture and private equity representations, mergers and acquisitions, carveouts, leveraged buyouts, and distressed lending. Her experience includes conducting due diligence; drafting and negotiating privacy, cybersecurity, AI, IT, and IP-related representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities, complex transition services agreements, and transitional trademark licensing arrangements; counseling regarding privacy, cybersecurity, AI, IT, and IP-related risks and mitigation strategies; and implementing post-acquisition privacy compliance programs.

Recent Representations – Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation 

  • Provide day-to-day compliance counseling to clients across an array of industries, including technology, retail, luxury fashion, gig economy, energy and utility, to develop their global privacy programs and ensure compliance with applicable U.S. and foreign privacy laws.
  • Provided regulatory compliance counseling and strategic product counseling to clients across an array of industries, including fintech, insurance and gambling companies, to ensure compliance with GLBA and applicable U.S. state privacy laws.
  • Drafted privacy policies, just-in-time notices, consents and acknowledgements, risk assessments, consumer request procedures, and incident response plans.
  • Negotiated data processing addenda, as well as data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI-related provisions in service agreements.
  • Drafted AI, privacy and cybersecurity-related stock exchange disclosures for clients in various industries, including software, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.

Recent Representations – Technology Transactions

  • Daikin Industries, LLC (a global HVAC&R manufacturer): Advised on intellectual property matters in connection with Daikin’s transformative joint venture with Copeland, a global sustainable heating, cooling, cold chain and industrial solutions company, to bring Daikin’s inverter swing rotary compressor technology to the U.S. residential segment.
  • Negotiated patent, know-how, copyright, trademark and trade name license agreements.
  • Drafted confidentiality agreements and intellectual property assignment agreements, as well as related provisions in employee and independent contractor agreements.
  • Negotiated service agreements, including for software-as-a-service and data analytics services.
  • Drafted website terms of use, including for property management companies, as well as various pro bono clients.

Representative Transactions

  • CACI: Advised on AI, privacy and cybersecurity matters in connection with its acquisition of Applied Insight, a Virginia cloud migration provider and portfolio company of specialist investment firm Acacia Group.
  • Fortress Investment Group LLC: Advised on data privacy and cybersecurity matters in connection with the acquisition of VICE Media Group, together with Soros Fund Management and Monroe Capital.
  • KKR: Advised on IP, IT, cybersecurity, privacy, and AI matters in connection with (1) its acquisition of a majority stake in Agiloft, a contract lifecycle management software company and (2) Next Generation Technology Growth Fund III’s investment in R365, Inc., an all-in-one restaurant enterprise management software.
  • Nielsen: Advised on IP and transitional service matters in connection with the sale of NCSolutions, a joint venture between Nielsen and Catalina, and the Nielsen Market Mix Modeling (MMM) business to Circana.
  • PAR Technology Corporation: Advised on IP and transitional service matters in connection with (1) the $95,000,000 sale of PAR Government Systems Corporation (PGSC) to Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. and (2) the $7,000,000 sale of the interests of Rome Research Corporation.
  • Platinum Equity: Advised on privacy and cybersecurity matters in connection with (1) Platinum Equity’s portfolio company Solenis’ $4.6 billion acquisition of Diversey Holdings, a hygiene, infection prevention and cleaning solutions provider and (2) Platinum Equity’s and Butterfly Equity Partners’ acquisition of Rise Baking Company, a manufacturer and supplier of semi-finished and retail-ready baked goods.
  • Publicis Groupe: Advised on privacy and cybersecurity matters in connection with the acquisition of Retargetly, a leading data and technology company, by Epsilon, a global advertising and marketing company that is part of Publicis Group.
  • RNBW Ventures: Advised on privacy and cybersecurity matters in connection with its acquisition of fintech platforms Even and One by Hazel, a fintech partnership with Walmart and Ribbit Capital.
  • Seawall Capital: Advised on privacy and cybersecurity matters in connection with its investment into Sports Endeavors, Inc., the team behind Soccer.com, the leading source for player and fan gear in the U.S.
  • Standard International (the parent company of The Standard and Bunkhouse hotel brands): Advised on privacy and cybersecurity matters in connection with its $385,000,000 sale to Hyatt Hotels.
  • Veritas Capital: Advised on IP matters in connection with (1) its acquisition of Verisk’s energy business, Wood Mackenzie, a globally recognized industry leader that provides quality data, analytics, and insights used to power the energy, renewables, and natural resources industry; (2) the acquisition by its portfolio company, Finalsite, a global leader in K-12 independent school website and digital communications software services of Anthology’s Blackboard K-12 Community Engagement division and (3) its acquisition of Sequa Corporation, parent company of Chromalloy, a global technology company and a leading solutions provider for aircraft engines and gas turbines.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Sarah clerked for Justice Daphne Barak-Erez of the Supreme Court of Israel. Sarah earned her Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in Comparative and International Law from Duke University School of Law in 2019.  While earning her degrees, she served as an editor of the Duke Law Journal and was a member of the Moot Court Board. In 2016, Sarah graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Simultaneously, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jewish Gender and Women’s Studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary, graduating cum laude.

Sarah is admitted to practice in the State of California, and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional – United States and Europe (CIPP/US/E).

Jennifer Sabin is a partner in the New York office of Gibson Dunn. She represents clients in a broad range of domestic and international tax matters, including taxable and tax-free mergers and acquisitions (public and private), spin-offs, joint ventures, financings, and restructurings. Her practice also includes formation of, and transactions undertaken by, private equity, hedge funds, and asset managers. In addition, Jennifer advises on various aspects of information reporting, including matters relating to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

Jennifer received her Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 2011 from The University of Pennsylvania Law School. She received her Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, in History from Yale University in 2006.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, she was an associate in the New York office of another international law firm.

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

Significant representations include:*

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Elliott Investment Management L.P. in its:
    • $16 billion acquisition of Nielsen Holdings plc
    • Joint $16.5 billion acquisition of Citrix Systems, Inc., a cloud computing and virtualization technology company, with Vista Equity Partners
    • Acquisition of Travelport Worldwide Limited, a travel technology company by affiliates of Siris Capital Group and Evergreen Coast Capital Group
  • Pioneer Natural Resources in its $64.5 billion merger with ExxonMobil
  • An affiliate of Aurora Capital Partners, in its acquisition of Sharps Compliance Corp
  • Quad-C Management, Inc., in its of acquisition of Christie’s International Real Estate
  • Aurora Capital Partners, in its acquisition of Parker Food Group
  • Mondelez International, Inc., in its acquisition of energy bar maker, Clif Bar
  • Phillips66, as special tax counsel on the realignment of its economic and governance interests in DCP Midstream, LP and Gray Oak Pipeline, LLC through the merger of existing joint ventures owned with Enbridge Inc.
  • Platinum Equity, in an agreement to merge its portfolio company Sigura with Solenis
  • The Kraft Heinz Company, in its joint venture with TheNotCompany, Inc., a leading food tech start-up focused on plant-based food products
  • Stanley, Black & Decker, Inc. in its:
    • $1.5 billion acquisition of Consolidated Aerospace Manufacturing, LLC*
    • $440 million acquisition of Nelson Fastener Systems*
    • the sale of its automatic doors business, Access Technologies, to Allegion plc
  • Zip Co. Limited, an Australian public company, in its acquisition of QuadPay*
  • Pfizer, Inc. in its joint venture with GSK to combine their respective consumer healthcare businesses*
  • The Middleby Corporation in its:
    • $1 billion acquisition of the Taylor Company from United Technologies*
    • $200 million acquisition of AGA Rangemaster Group plc*
  • Joyson Safety Systems (f.k.a. Key Safety Systems) in its acquisition of the global assets of Takata Corporation*
  • Janus Capital Group, Inc. in its merger-of-equals with Henderson Group plc to form a new company called Janus Henderson Global Investors plc*
  • NFP Corp. in its acquisition of BWD Group LLC*

Financings

  • Stanley, Black & Decker, Inc. in its:
    • $750 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-fixed reset rate junior subordinated debentures*
    • $675 million offering of equity units, consisting of cumulative perpetual convertible preferred stock and forward purchase contracts*
  • KAR Auction Services, Inc. in its placement of $550 million in newly issued perpetual convertible preferred stock*
  • Party City Holdco Inc. in its bond exchange and new money financing*
  • Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley as joint bookrunners in the UP-C IPO of GreenSky, Inc.*
  • BeiGene, Ltd. (China) in its initial public offering*

Fund Work

  • Various domestic and international investment advisers and limited partners in connection with forming and investing in hedge funds, private equity funds, and managed accounts*

*Representations were made by Jennifer prior to her association with Gibson Dunn.

Peter M. Wade is a litigation Of Counsel in Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. office. He is a member of the firm’s Securities Litigation and Law Firm Defense Practice Groups, and focuses on complex commercial and business litigation, including breach of contract actions, law firm defense matters, fraud claims, M&A litigation and fiduciary duty claims, and related shareholder class and derivative actions. Peter has had significant experience representing clients in a wide range of industries in state and federal courts and at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as arbitration. He also serves on Gibson Dunn’s New York Community Affairs and Hiring Committees, and is recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for Commercial Litigation.

Peter’s representative matters include:

  • Securing a complete defense verdict, following a bench trial in the Southern District of New York, for global investment adviser Investcorp in a $250 million negligent misrepresentation suit brought by hedge fund Kortright Partners.
  • Defeating a preliminary injunction sought by Bay Capital Finance against Barnes & Noble Education and its board, challenging BNED’s refusal to recognize a slate of director nominees for its 2019 annual shareholder meeting. Subsequently obtained summary judgment and a significant fee shifting award, which were affirmed on appeal by the Delaware Supreme Court.
  • Obtaining a rare reversal of a denial of summary judgment from the New York Appellate Division, on behalf of Trust Company of the West, on grounds the plaintiff hedge fund failed to establish loss causation in a case where TCW was the collateral manager for a large portfolio of mortgage-backed securities that failed to perform in the wake of the global financial crisis. TCW successfully argued the financial crisis caused the loss, not TCW’s management.
  • Obtaining dismissal of misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of confidentiality claims seeking over a billion dollars in damages against American General in the Southern District of New York.
  • Obtaining dismissal of a purported nationwide multi-year RICO class action against several affiliates of an international insurer alleging misuse of brokerage fees with respect to structured settlements, as well as affirmance of the dismissal by the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Obtaining a trial verdict for Susquehanna Growth Equity, LLC, SIG Growth Equity Fund I, LLLP, and two senior executives on fraud-based claims relating to the sale of an e-commerce company to Great Hill Equity Partners.
  • Obtaining dismissal of a putative class action challenging Carvana’s capital structure in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
  • Representing major international law firm in dispute with former partner, obtaining orders compelling arbitration and confirming arbitration awards and affirmance of same by the New York Appellate Division.
  • Representing a major computer software company in connection with a purported stockholder class action arising from a public company merger, as well as a related statutory appraisal trial in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
  • Representing a leading pharmaceutical company and its Board in derivative action challenging company’s tax disclosures, securing dismissal at the pleading stage and an affirmance on appeal by New Jersey Appellate Division.
  • Representing a major computer software company in connection with a purported stockholder class action arising from a public company merger.
  • Representing board of major pharmaceutical company in connection with independent investigation in response to multiple shareholder demands.

Peter received his Juris Doctor in 2012 from Columbia Law School, where he was named both a James Kent Scholar and a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia in 2005.

Peter is admitted to practice law in the State of New York and the State of Virginia, as well as in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Jesse A. Cripps is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Los Angeles office and a member of the firm’s Labor & Employment, Litigation and Class Action Practice Groups.

Jesse has handled the full range of labor and employment matters under both federal and state law, specializing in the defense of high-risk, complex and class action employment litigation. His successes include defeating class and collective action certification, securing the dismissal of class action claims on the pleadings, and securing a variety of merits-based victories at the trial court and appellate levels.

Jesse has a wide-range of courtroom experience, including state and federal jury trials. He has tried class action employment claims to resolution and has first-chair success in individual employment arbitrations and high-stakes administrative hearings. He has successfully argued several times before the California Court of Appeal and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, resulting in favorable published opinions for his clients.

His representative matters include the defense of statewide and nationwide employment class actions, the representation of employers in high-stakes non-compete and trade secret disputes, and the defense of discrimination, retaliation, and whistleblowing claims. Jesse also represents employers in matters involving reductions in force, family and medical leave, federal contract compliance, and occupational safety and health. In addition to his courtroom experience, Jesse also spends time counseling clients on preventative planning under state and federal laws.

Benchmark Litigation named Jesse as a 2024 “Labor & Employment Star” and he is routinely recognized as a leading employment lawyer by Chambers USA, Law360, Los Angeles and Law & Politics magazines. Most recently, Jesse was recognized for Labor & Employment (Litigation) in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers 2024-2026 guides, which features “the nation’s top advisors to businesses, universities, nonprofits and other organizations dealing with the mind-bending matrix of today’s global workforce,” the third time he has been named since 2022. He was also recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Employment Law – Management from 2024 to 2026, and as one of the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2023 “Leaders of Influence – Labor & Employment Attorneys.” He has been named one of “California’s Top Labor & Employment Lawyers” by the Daily Journal, and his work has been featured among its list of “Top Verdicts” and “Top Appellate Reversals.”

He has served on the Executive Committee for the Los Angeles County Bar Association Counsel for Justice, as Board Chair for the Hillsides organization, and as a faculty member for Lawyers Without Borders in Kenya. Jesse speaks regularly on employment issues, including programs and presentations for the California Employment Law Council, Strafford, Bridgeport, Bloomberg BNA, and various Fortune 500 companies.

He graduated summa cum laude from Pepperdine Law School in 2002, where he served as Note and Comment Editor for the Pepperdine Law Review. He is also a contributor to the Gonzaga Law Review and Employment Discrimination Law (settlement chapter) (BNA), as well as California Lawyer magazine.

Jesse is admitted to practice in the State of California.

Jessica Brown is a partner in the Denver office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. Jessica has been ranked by Chambers USA for nineteen consecutive years as one of America’s Leading Lawyers for Labor and Employment. She was also recognized from 2020 to 2026 for Labor & Employment (Litigation) by the Lawdragon 500 Leading Corporate Employment Lawyers guide, which features “the nation’s top advisors to businesses, universities, nonprofits and other organizations dealing with the mind-bending matrix of today’s global workforce.” Jessica has been listed consistently in The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice areas of Employment Law – Management and Litigation – Labor & Employment. And she was named a 2025 and 2021 Lawyer of the Year in Employment Law – Management, Denver.

In addition, Benchmark Litigation US 2024 named Jessica a Labor & Employment Star. The Denver Business Journal named Jessica one of Denver’s “Forty Under 40.” Subsequently it awarded her the 2015 “Outstanding Women in Business Award” for the Law category. In 2017, the Ms. JD organization honored her in Chicago with its national “Sharing Her Passion” award for her work in relation to workplace investigations, gender equity, and mentoring.

Jessica advises corporate clients regarding DEI programming in the wake of the Supreme Court’s SFFA v. Harvard decision, COVID-19 workplace vaccination policies, hybrid work protocols, Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Transparency Rules, anti-harassment policies, whistleblower complaints, reductions in force, and noncompete laws and agreements.

Jessica has conducted and overseen workplace investigations and some government investigations throughout her career as well. She also has defended nationwide and state-wide class and collective action lawsuits, alleging gender discrimination under Title VII, failure to permit facility access under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. She participated as a member of the trial team in Dukes v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., which redefined the legal standard for class certification as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s watershed decision.

Representative Matters

  • Advising public companies and nonprofits regarding their DEI-related risks in light of the SFFA v. Harvard decision.
  • Defending a private equity firm in connection with claims for alleged harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
  • Assisting a home services company with a nationwide reduction in force.
  • Helping numerous clients to comply with Colorado’s new laws impacting noncompete and customer non-solicitation covenants, wage and job opportunity transparency, paid leave, anti-discrimination, and workplace harassment.
  • Represented a transportation provider in connection with claims for alleged harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
  • Assisted an aerospace company with claims for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
  • Represented an international gold mining company in a dispute with its former Executive Vice President, Corporate Development.
  • Defended a logistics services company in connection with claims for employee raiding and misappropriation of trade secrets.
  • Represented a national healthcare company in an arbitration matter involving claims between the Board and its former Chief Executive Officer.
  • Counseled an oil and gas company, a technology and data management company, and an international alternative investment manager regarding layoffs and furloughs.
  • Represented a video game company in connection with a gender discrimination class action.
  • Represented a hospital chain in connection with class claims asserted on a nation-wide basis under Title III of the ADA.

Recent Presentations and Publications

  • “Fair Chance Hiring: A Legal Perspective,” Co-Presenter with Attorney General Phil Weiser, Gibson Dunn, Denver, September 5, 2024.
  • “How the Harvard Admissions Ruling Reshapes DEI,” Co-Presenter, World 50 Group Chief Executive Summit, Classic Car Club, Pier 76, New York City, May 30, 2024.
  • “Corporate Information Governance and IT Teams: The Bridge to eDiscovery Success,” Co-Presenter, Master’s Conference, Denver, June 2023.
  • “EPEW Transparency Rules: Employee and Employer Perspectives,” Co-Presenter, Colorado Bar Association 2023 Employment Law Conference, April 27, 2023.
  • “Changes in the Work Environment,” Co-Presenter, Investment Company Institute 2022 Tax and Accounting Conference, September 20, 2022.
  • “COVID-19 Hot Topics for Employers in 2021,” Presenter, University of Colorado, February 19, 2021.
  • “COVID-19 Vaccines: Employer Strategies and Considerations,” Presenter, Gibson Dunn Webcast, February 10, 2021.
  • “An Employer Playbook for the COVID “Vaccine Wars”: Strategies and Considerations for Workplace Vaccination Policies,” PLI Article, Author with Lauren Elliot and Daniel Rauch, February 4, 2021.
  • “Civility in the Practice of Employment Law,” Presenter, 2020 Colorado Bar Association Employment Law Conference, October 2020.
  • “Returning to Work: Health, Employment and Privacy Considerations and Constraints as Businesses Resume Post-Quarantine Operations,” Presenter, ACEC, July 2020.
  • “Preparing For A Surge In Whistleblower Claims: From Developing A Compliance Plan To Best Practices When Investigating And Litigating Claims” Gibson Dunn Webcast, June 2020.
  • “Is #MeToo Becoming #NotHer?” Panelist, Women in E-Discovery national conference, Austin, Texas, May 2019.

Before joining Gibson Dunn in January 1995, Jessica clerked for the Honorable Jim R. Carrigan, United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Since joining the firm, Jessica has been a frequent author and lecturer on employment, investigation, privacy, gender, diversity, and leadership issues. Jessica is one of the managing editors and a contributing author for The Practitioner’s Guide to Colorado Employment Law. She is also a member of the firm’s Diversity Committee, Professional Development Committee, and Hiring Committee.

In addition, Jessica served as President of the Colorado Bar Association from July 2020 to July 2021. She has served as a Board member at Stanley British Primary School and Chair of the Joint Management Committee of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations. She also chaired the Board of the Legal Aid Foundation from 2013-2015, was co-chair of the Denver Law Firm Campaign for Legal Aid in 2013, and served on the LAF Board for 11 years. She also co-chaired the Barristers Benefit Ball twice previously, helping to raise funds for Metro Volunteer Lawyers. In addition, Jessica has been very active with the Mile High United Way, as a member of the Tocqueville Society and a founding member of the Pinstripe PJ Club, helping to raise money for then-Mayor Hickenlooper’s homelessness initiative, Denver’s Road Home.

Jessica also has been very focused on issues relating to diversity and gender equity: She currently serves as a member of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association Foundation and is a past President of the Colorado Women’s Bar Association. She also served on the Board of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations from 2016-2018. She was a member of the Colorado Bar Association’s Committee for Balanced Legal Careers and worked closely with the Center for Legal Inclusiveness on various initiatives, including serving as moderator and panelist for several CLI Summit programs. Jessica also served as Co-Chair of the Programs Subcommittee of the Planning Committee of the National Association of Women’s Lawyers for its 2019 spring conference in Denver.

Finally, Jessica is actively involved in pro bono work in the local community and nationally, and has given time to organizations including Management Leadership for Tomorrow, the Mary M. Dower Benevolent Corporation, the Calculus Project, the Last Mile, the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, Global Fund for Women, the Sonia and Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, the Global Impact Investing Network, the Center on Colfax, Tipping Point Community, Gold House, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Know Your IX, the National Association of Counsel for Children, the National Women’s Law Center, Next Step Communications through Start Small Think Big, the Cornell Law School Global Gender Justice Clinic, Ten Thousand Villages, the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, and Denver’s Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives Program. She also has worked with teams to represent immigrants seeking asylum. And she helped establish a long-term relationship between Gibson Dunn and the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center, leading to individual and office awards.

Jessica received her law degree in 1993 from the University of Texas School of Law, where she served as Executive Editor for the Texas Law Review, was Clerk of the Chancellors, a member of the Order of the Coif, and graduated with High Honors (top 2%). Jessica received a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she graduated with honors as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.