Doug Rayburn is a partner in the Dallas and Houston offices of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Capital Markets, Energy & Infrastructure, Mergers & Acquisitions, Finance, and Securities Regulation & Corporate Governance Practice Groups. His principal areas of concentration are securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate matters. He has represented issuers and underwriters in over 250 public offerings and private placements, including initial public offerings, high-yield offerings, investment grade and convertible note offerings, offerings by master limited partnerships, and offerings of preferred and hybrid securities.

Additionally, Doug represents purchasers and sellers in connection with mergers and acquisitions involving both public and private companies, including private equity investments and joint ventures. His practice also encompasses corporate governance and other general corporate concerns.

Awards and Accolades:

  • Chambers USA, “Band 1 Capital Markets: High-Yield Debt” (2013 – 2025)
  • Best Lawyers®, “Lawyer of the Year: Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Dallas/Forth Worth” (2025)
  • Super Lawyers, “Texas Super Lawyers” (2009 – 2025)
  • Who’s Who Legal, “Capital Markets” (2024)
  • Best Lawyers®, “Lawyer of the Year: Securities Regulation, Dallas/Fort Worth” (2018, 2020, 2022, 2024)
  • Business Today Lawyers Awards, “Top 10 Central US Lawyers Revolutionizing Debt & Equity Capital Markets” (2023)

Securities Offerings Experience:

  • Advised Banc of America Securities and the other initial purchasers in the offering of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2028 by Sitio Royalties Operating Partnership, LP, an owner and manager of mineral and royalty interests
  • Advised Celanese Corporation, a global chemical and specialty materials company, in an SEC registered offering by its wholly-owned subsidiary Celanese US Holdings LLC, of $3 billion aggregate principal amount of notes comprised of $1.00 billion of 6.350% Senior Notes due 2028, $1.00 billion of 6.550% Senior Notes due 2030 and $1.00 billion of 6.700% Senior Notes due 2033
  • Advised Fluor, an engineering construction company, on its $500 million private offering of 1.125% convertible senior notes due 2029
  • Advised Brinker International, Inc., a multinational hospitality industry company, on its $350 million offering of 8.250% Senior Notes due 2030
  • Advised the underwriters in a public offering by Targa Resources Corp., a leading provider of midstream services, of $1.75 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes comprised of $900 million of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2033 and $850 million of 6.500% Senior Notes due 2053
  • Advised the underwriters in a public offering of $1.1 billion of 5.100% Senior Notes due 2026 by Pioneer Natural Resources Company, a large independent oil and gas exploration and production company
  • Advised Matador Resources Company, an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas resources in the United States, on its offering of $500 million of 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2028

Mergers and Acquisitions Experience:

  • Advised P10, Inc., a multi-asset class private market solutions provider in the alternative asset management industry, in the acquisitions of Five Points Capital, Inc., TrueBridge Capital Partners LLC, Enhanced Capital Group, LLC and Westech Investment Advisors LLC
  • Advised InfraREIT, Inc., a regulated electric utility, in its acquisition by Oncor Electric Delivery Company for $1.275 billion
  • Advised Arkoma Drilling, L.P. and Williston Drilling in its sale of oil and gas assets located in North Dakota’s Bakken shale basin to Comstock Resources, Inc., a leading independent natural gas producer operating primarily in the Haynesville shale, and acquisition of a majority interest in Comstock
  • Advised the Conflicts Committee of Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P., a publicly traded master limited partnership providing integrated terminalling services for companies engaged in the production, distribution, and handling of liquid asphalt, in the acquisition of Blueknight by Ergon, Inc.
  • Advised Blueknight Energy Partners, L.P. in the disposition of its crude oil terminalling business

Doug earned his Juris Doctor cum laude in 1993 from University of Michigan Law School. He received a Master of Business Administration in 1989 from Vanderbilt University, where he previously graduated in 1988 cum laude, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics.

Shalla Prichard is a partner in the Houston office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s Finance, Private Equity and Capital Markets Practice Groups. Shalla’s specialties are leveraged financings and investments in the energy industry with a particular focus on the upstream, midstream and downstream energy sectors, including energy private equity. She represents public and private borrowers, private equity investors, financial institutions and other clients in a wide variety of financing transactions including reserve based loans, ABL facilities, other senior and subordinated debt, acquisition financing, drillco structures, preferred equity investments, structured financing, Up-C credits and other forms of debt and equity financing.

Chambers USA consistently ranks Shalla in Texas for the category of Banking & Finance, praising her “ability to work collaboratively with others to find creative solutions for clients” and that she’s “extremely knowledgeable, hard-working, very easy to work with and available when we need her and “an excellent partner, she collaborates better than almost anyone.” Shalla is also recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Banking and Finance Law. In 2020, she was named among the 50 Most Powerful Women in Oil and Gas by the National Diversity Council.

Representative Matters*

Bank Financings – Borrower Representations

  • Valaris plc – $2.3 billion revolving credit facility and post-merger finance integration of Rowan in respect of debt facilities and intercompany credit
  • Valero Energy Corporation- $4.0 billion revolving credit facility and various letter of credit facilities
  • S. Well Services, Inc.- $250 million senior secured term loan facility and $75 million asset-backed revolving credit facility
  • Kimbell Royalty Partners, L.P. – $100 million reserve-based revolving credit facility in connection with MLP IPO
  • EQT Midstream Partners – $350 million revolving credit facility in connection with its initial public offering of 14,375,000 common units
  • Valero Energy Partners LP – $750 million senior syndicated revolving credit facility for MLP
  • $225 million senior syndicated revolving credit facility in connection with real estate purchases for club membership use

Bank Financings – Arranger/Agent Representations

  • Administrative agent – $600 million secured term loan A and $150 million secured revolving credit facility for midstream water company
  • Administrative agent – $675 million 364-day revolving credit facility for Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
  • Administrative agent – $610 million revolving credit and term loan facilities for DG FastChannel for the financing of the acquisition of MediaMind Technologies through a cash tender offer
  • Administrative agent – $900 million 364-day revolving credit facility for pipeline company
  • Administrative agent – $140 million syndicated senior secured revolving credit facility for privately-held company that manufactures and sells work-related clothing and accessories
  • Administrative agent – $150 million syndicated senior secured revolving credit facility for Heartland Payment Systems
  • Administrative agent – $90 million secured revolving credit and term loan facilities for Radiant Systems
  • Financial institution – various structured financings and securitizations, including through special purpose entities

Mezzanine Financings – Private Equity Representations

  • Direct lending transactions with exploration and production companies for development capital secured by oil and gas assets and including equity kickers in the form of detachable warrants or net profits interests
  • Asset-based joint ventures whereby private equity client provides development capital in exchange for working interests in the oil and gas properties
  • Over $1.2 billion preferred equity investment in private exploration and production company, including structuring back-levered fund investment structure
  • Purchase of Second Lien Notes by subsidiaries of Leucadia issued by Lonestar Resources US, Inc. and involving inter-creditor negotiations and oil and gas joint venture expertise

Debt Offerings

  • Goldman Sachs as lead underwriter – $400 million 7.0% senior unsecured notes of Berry Petroleum
  • Gran Tierra Energy Inc. – $300 million 7.75% senior unsecured notes
  • Underwriters – $600 million 7.0% senior unsecured notes of Ascent Resources Utica Holdings, LLC
  • Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC as lead underwriter- $1.45 billion of 11.000% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes of Energy XXI Ltd
  • Goldman Sachs as lead underwriter – $275 million of 7.125% Senior Secured Notes of Northern Tier Energy and concurrent cash tender offer
  • Noble Corporation – $1.0 billion senior unsecured notes offering and concurrent tender offers
  • Hercules Offshore, Inc. – $250 million convertible debt offering
  • Linn Energy – $2.3 billion high yield debt offerings
  • Institutional investors – aggregate $170 million private placement of senior unsecured notes for pipeline company
  • Institutional investors – $35 million private placement of senior subordinated PIK notes for Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
  • Institutional investors – $50 million senior subordinated note purchase and $21 million junior subordinated note purchase, together with a warrant purchase in connection with a private equity fund acquisition of a fragrance and flavoring company

Other Transactions

  • Liberty Media Corporation – $530 million investment in Sirius XM Radio, Inc. and various other financing transactions
  • Noble Corporation – $1.8 billion commercial paper facility
  • McDermott International – handled assignment and reallocation of risk under various lines of insurance and handled matters in respect of captive insurance companies, in connection with spin-off of The Babcock & Wilcox Company

 

Shalla earned her law degree magna cum laude from University of Houston Law Center in 2003. She graduated in 1998 from The University of Texas, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.

* Includes matters handled prior to joining Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

Jin Hee is a finance partner in the New York office of Gibson Dunn. She has extensive experience advising sponsors, borrowers, arrangers, agents and lenders, including private credit providers on complex U.S. and international financing transactions.

Jin Hee’s experience spans various sectors, including renewables, biotech, fintech, manufacturing, telecommunications, media and financial services and various forms of financing, including acquisition financings, “hybrid” cash flow/revenue and project-style financings in the solar and renewables space, unitranche and mezzanine financings and royalty and other asset based financings and asset monetization transactions.

Jin Hee is recognized in Chambers Global and Chambers USA (New York) for her work in Banking and Finance. Clients have described Jin Hee in The Legal 500 as “a trusted advisor…[who] properly advises in structuring complicated syndicated lending transactions” and “an excellent resource for market information [who] has been able to guide our thinking in terms of different potential financing options.”

Her sponsor and borrower clients have included Veritas Capital, Elliott Investment Management, Suvretta Capital Management, L. Catterton, Oak Tree Capital, Eurazeo North America, Aurora Capital, EQT Infrastructure, the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board, Pine Gate Renewables, Banco BTS Pactual, Excelerate Energy, Alvotech, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Xoma and Coupang.

Jin Hee’s lender and arranger-side practice includes representation of large banking institutions, as well as private credit funds and investors in the biotech and life sciences space, including Blue Owl, Braidwell Management Company, Perceptive Advisors, Royalty Pharma and RTW Investments.

Jin Hee received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was a member of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, graduated cum laude and was elected to the Order of the Coif. She received her B.A., with distinction in her major, from Yale University.

Melissa Barshop is a partner in the Century City office of Gibson Dunn. She is a member of the firm’s Corporate Department and practices in its Finance and Business Restructuring and Reorganization Practice Groups. Melissa has experience in a broad range of financing transactions, including acquisition financings, secured and unsecured corporate credit facilities, Rule 144A transactions, private placements, convertible debt offerings, exchange offers, mezzanine transactions and work-outs and debt restructurings.

Melissa was ranked in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as “Up and Coming” in Banking and Finance in California. Chambers USA also ranked her from 2013-2019 as an “Associate to Watch”.

Melissa’s recent representations include:

  • An ad hoc group of first lien lenders in the out-of-court restructuring deal with retail chain JoAnn Fabrics
  • An ad hoc first lien term loan group in the chapter 11 cases of Mallinckrodt plc
  • Fortress Investment Group LLC in the financing and debt restructuring of VICE Media Group
  • An ad hoc group of first lien lenders in the debt restructuring of Envision Healthcare, a national medical group and KKR portfolio company
  • Delta Air Lines, Inc. in their amended credit facility for the construction of Terminal 2 and 3 at Los Angeles International Airport
  • Herbalife Ltd. In its issuance of senior secured notes and refinancing its credit facility
  • Mauser Packaging in connection with its $2.75 billion first lien high yield bond offering and contemporaneous offer to exchange previously issued unsecured bonds for up to $1.35 billion of new second lien high yield bonds

Melissa earned her Juris Doctorate in 2006 from Columbia Law School, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and the Executive Submissions Editor of the Columbia Journal of Law and the Arts. She received a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley in 2002, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Kevin S. Rosen is a senior partner in the Los Angeles office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. He repeatedly has been recognized as a “Star Individual” with a Band 1 ranking (one of only two in the country) by Chambers USA. He has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as a successful defense and trial lawyer, featured among The Daily Journal’s Top Professional Responsibility Lawyers in California, which highlights “the top performing attorneys in legal malpractice matters and ethics, and acknowledged by many other prominent, national publications as the “go to” lawyer for the defense of law firms, including being named a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation. Kevin has been described by his clients as “excellent at strategy, execution, and finesse,” the lawyer “who you call when you have a big problem,” and “simply the best lawyers’ lawyer in the country.”

Kevin’s national practice focuses on complex business, commercial, and class action litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts and commercial arbitrations with an emphasis on law firm defense, health care, intellectual property, securities, real estate, and high-stakes business disputes. Kevin has successfully defended over 150 legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, and related lawsuits against law firms with aggregate claims over $50 billion through trial and arbitration, dismissal, summary judgment and appeal, as well as multiple investigations of law firms by federal and state agencies. In addition, Kevin has successfully defended myriad discrimination and harassment claims against law firms, partner departure disputes, malicious prosecution actions, and disqualification motions.

Some of Kevin’s recent achievements as lead trial counsel include:

  • Successfully defended international law firm in seven-week jury trial involving $60 million claims arising out of estate planning, ERISA, real estate development, and tax issues.
  • Won lengthy arbitration on behalf of international law firm, convincing the Tribunal to reject $60 million claim by bankruptcy trustee of former client that firm had a conflict of interest and negligently handled litigation involving joint venture in the financial services industry. Won affirmance on appeal. Golden v. O’Melveny & Myers, LLP, 2021 WL 3466044 (9th Cir. August 6, 2021)
  • Won lengthy international arbitration on behalf of international law firm arising out of a pharmaceutical company acquisition where law firm allegedly failed to properly advise acquiror regarding a drug development agreement and allegedly mishandled resulting ICC arbitration. The Tribunal rejected all claims seeking roughly $600 million, awarded the law firm all of its outstanding fees pursuant to its counterclaim, and awarded all of Gibson Dunn’s fees.
  • Won successive summary judgment motions in state court in Dallas on claims exceeding $100 million by bankruptcy liquidating trust against an international law firm arising from representation of health care company in connection with a recapitalization, various other transactions, and government investigations. Won affirmance on appeal. Willow Tree Consulting Group, LLC v. Perkins Cole LLP, 2024 WL 575263 (Tex. Court Appeals 2024).
  • Won lengthy arbitration on behalf of medical device company against $120 million claim of fraud and breach of contract arising out of acquisition by another medical device company, convincing arbitration panel to reject all claims and to award all of Gibson Dunn’s fees.
  • Won lengthy arbitration on behalf of international law firm, convincing arbitration panel to reject a former client’s $80 million claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and disgorgement and to award the law firm all of its unpaid legal fees.
  • Won arbitration regarding $200 million claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and disgorgement and convinced panel to award Gibson Dunn’s fees.
  • Won dismissal with prejudice of $600 million claims in federal court in Atlanta against international law firm for negligence, fraud, aiding & abetting, and conspiracy arising out tax opinions issued in connection with syndicated conservation easement transactions. Peskin v. Peachtree Investment Solutions, LLC, et. al., 2023 WL 7457555 (N.D. Ga. 2023).
  • Obtained dismissal of RICO, securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and legal malpractice claims exceeding $400 million against international law firm arising out of manufacturing partnership.
  • Successful resolution on behalf of global law firm of DOJ and U.S. Attorney investigation regarding Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) and related litigation under Alien Tort Claims Act.
  • Won dismissal of a series of class action complaints against international law firm for alleged legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, and other state law claims seeking more than $250 million. Plaintiffs’ claims arose out of the firm’s work on multi-state tenancy-in-common real estate investments and related transactions. Won affirmance on appeal.
  • Won dismissal of an eight-count complaint against international law firm for federal securities fraud and myriad state law claims arising out of an alleged fraud perpetrated by the firm’s former client. Burns v. Stratos, 581 F. Supp. 3d 687 (E.D. Pa. 2022), aff’d 2023 WL 4014474 (3rd Cir. 2023).
  • Won summary judgment on behalf of international law firm against claims of $539 million by former client asserting that firm mishandled a dispute regarding the manufacture, distribution and sale of specialty wire products and otherwise breached its fiduciary duties.
  • Won dismissal of various claims against international law firm seeking over $300 million in damages arising out of failed Cayman Islands investment fund focused on entertainment industry. Molner v. Reed Smith LLP, 2024 WL 4048758 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. 2024).
  • Won dismissal of $136 million lawsuit by trustee for Cayman Islands hedge fund in New York against global law firm asserting claims of aiding and abetting fraud and breach of fiduciary duty arising out of a series of residential, mortgage-backed securities and collateral debt obligations. Won affirmance on appeal. In re: ICP Strategic Credit Income Fund Ltd. 730 Fed. Appx. 78 (2d Cir. 2018).
  • Won reversal on appeal upon being retained as appellate counsel of $34 million malpractice and fraud judgment arising from a series of real estate transactions in Florida and Georgia. Sabadia v. Holland & Knight, 2018 WL 1581377 (Cal. Ct. App. 2018).
  • Won dismissal of $75 million claims against international law firm arising out of trusts and estates work in Pennsylvania and California. Won affirmance on appeal.
  • Won dismissal of $260 million class action lawsuit against international law firm by investors in real estate investment and development company based in Texas alleged to have been a Ponzi scheme.
  • Won dismissal on behalf of international law firm against claims of malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with firm’s defense of a shareholder derivative action in Delaware.
  • Won dismissal of a six-count complaint seeking over $200 million in damages against an international law firm for alleged legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, and other claims arising out of an alternative energy development project in Hawaii.
  • Won dismissal of a $250 million malpractice lawsuit against an international law firm for alleged malpractice in connection with a series of technology license agreements in Washington.
  • Successfully persuaded Oregon Supreme Court to affirm validity of internal law firm privilege and to reject application of “fiduciary exception.” Crimson Trace Corp. v. Davis Wright Tremaine, 355 Or. 476 (2014).
  • Obtained reversal on appeal upon being retained as appellate counsel of $31 million malpractice and fraud judgment related to the Talent Agents Act. Blanks v. Seyfarth Shaw, 171 Cal. App. 4th 336 (2009).
  • Won dismissal of $160 million claims by a bankruptcy trustee alleging that an international law firm aided its former client in committing securities and real estate fraud in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme. Won affirmance on appeal.
  • Won dismissal of $120 million claims by a bankruptcy trustee alleging that an international law firm aided its former client in committing securities and real estate fraud in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme. Won affirmance on appeal.
  • Won summary judgment in a $275 million lawsuit against international law firm for alleged malpractice in connection with the development of a 5,500 student academy complex. The case involved issues related to real property acquisition, compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, large construction project contracting and financing, environmental mitigation and remediation, and environmental insurance.
  • Won dismissal of a $300 million lawsuit against a Hawaii-based law firm for alleged malpractice in connection with the sale of 22,000 acres of land in Hawaii.
  • Won dismissal of a derivative malpractice action against international law firm related to the merger of two hospital corporations, thereby established new law in California essentially precluding derivative claims for legal malpractice. McDermott, Will & Emery v. Superior Court, 83 Cal. App. 4th 378 (2000).
  • Won dismissal of $200 million action against international law firm for alleged RICO violations, unfair business practices, and fraud. Won affirmance by U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Won dismissal of a securities class action against international law firm seeking $78 million in damages arising out of municipal bond offerings across the United States for the construction of health care facilities. Won affirmance by U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Obtained a walkaway settlement in 2023 on the eve of trial on behalf of international law firm in connection with $50 million claim for professional negligence and fraud arising out of tax shelter and estate-planning activities in New York.
  • Won dismissal of multi-million dollar action against international law firm asserting claims for malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and civil rights violations.
  • Won dismissal of $220 million lawsuit on behalf of international law firm related to the acquisition of a hospital on the eve of jury trial. Won motions in limine that eliminated plaintiff’s damages claims.
  • Won defense verdict in multi-million dollar stock option trial and obtained judgment on counter-claim for theft of trade secrets.
  • Won denial of permanent injunction upon being retained post-trial in case against medical device manufacturer notwithstanding prior verdict of patent infringement where product generated annual revenue over $2 billion. Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. v. Medtronic Vascular, Inc., 579 F.Supp. 2d 554 (D. Del. 2008).
  • Won dismissal of a series of class action complaints arising out of multi-state tenancy-in-common investments and related transactions seeking $220 million and affirmance by California Court of Appeal. Cabot Ashtabula 22, LLC v. Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc., 2015 WL 5457843 (Cal. Ct. App. 2015).
  • Won dismissal of trade secret and product liability lawsuit seeking over $100 million in damages in connection with various technology license agreements.
  • Won dismissal of a securities class action arising out of a nationwide municipal bond offering for construction of health care facilities and affirmance by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Won dismissal for national healthcare company against $226 million lawsuit by competitor for alleged theft of trade secrets related to outpatient rehabilitation clinics.
  • Won summary judgment in a $280 million lawsuit against an international law firm for alleged malpractice in connection with various lender liability issues. Won affirmance on appeal.
  • Won summary judgment against claims by ISP asserting $45 million in statutory damages pursuant to California Business and Professions Code arising out of allegedly falsified email header information.
  • Won summary judgment in favor of affiliate marketing networks against class action claims under Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act based on alleged deceptive and unsolicited email messages.
  • Successfully persuaded federal district court in Texas to deny motion for disqualification in patent case. Maxwell Ltd. v. Apple, Inc., 2021 WL 1100098 (E.D. Tex. March 2, 2021).
  • Successfully persuaded bankruptcy court and district court in New York to deny remand and absention in malpractice claim against Pennsylvania-based law firm arising from collapse of private equity fund. In re: Aramid Entertainment Fund Limited, 2022 WL 118293 (SDNY Jan. 12, 2022).

Kevin served as Chairman of Gibson Dunn’s National Hiring Committee for nearly a decade, as well as in other prominent management roles at Gibson Dunn.

Alex Carter is an English-qualified associate in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and a member of the firm’s Dispute Resolution Group.

Alex’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and international arbitration, with experience advising multinational clients across the retail, finance, construction, and ESG/sustainability sectors.

He has acted in a range of high-profile matters, including advising a major UK retailer in the largest private-sector mass equal pay claim to be heard in the English courts, defending a FTSE 100 company in breach of fiduciary duty proceedings before the English High Court, and representing a global contractor in a US$4 billion ICC arbitration arising from a Middle Eastern infrastructure project.

Prior to rejoining Gibson Dunn, Alex worked for a legal NGO in The Hague, Netherlands, where he contributed to publications on human rights law, including for the UN Special Rapporteur under the Aarhus Convention. He trained as a solicitor at the London office of a leading U.S. law firm.
 

Veronica Bonhamgregory is of counsel in the Dallas office of Gibson Dunn where she currently practices in the firm’s Business Restructuring and Reorganization, Liability Management and Special Situations, and Finance Practice Groups. Veronica’s practice focuses on liability management and other special situation transactions, including out-of-court debt exchanges and other restructurings, distressed investments, DIP financings and exit financings. She also has experience in a wide range of leveraged finance transactions, representing private equity and portfolio companies.

Representative Clients and Transactions*

Distressed and Restructuring

  • An ad hoc group of lenders and term loan DIP lenders in the chapter 11 cases of Ascend Performance Materials Holdings Inc. Ascend commenced bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas and received approval to incur approx. $900M in DIP Financing. During the proceedings, Ascend will address its over $2 billion funded debt obligations and pursue a comprehensive deleveraging transaction.
  • Basic Energy Services, Inc. (a publicly traded company backed by Ascribe Capital) in a senior secured debtor-in-possession term facility to finance business operations during its chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and subsequently the sale of substantially all of its assets.
  • Breitburn Energy Partners LP in the continuation of its $390 million prepetition revolving facility and its $10 million reserve-based term loan to finance operations following its bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Citi, as administrative agent, lead arranger and bookrunner, in $975 million first lien term and revolving exit facilities for Vanguard Natural Gas, LLC (n/k/a Vanguard Natural Resources, Inc.), to finance operations following its bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Fieldwood Energy LLC (n/k/a QuarterNorth Energy Holding Inc.) (a portfolio company of Riverstone Holdings) in its $60 million senior secured debtor-in-possession facility to provide liquidity during its prepackaged chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings; a $100 million senior secured debtor-in-possession facility to finance business operations during its chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings; $1.8 billion amended and restated first and second lien facilities to finance operations upon its exit from bankruptcy proceedings; and $119 million first lien exit term, $185 million second lien exit term and $200 million senior secured revolving facilities to finance its business operations upon emerging from chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and to refinance existing indebtedness.
  • Mobileum (a portfolio company of H.I.G. Capital) in its $169 million senior secured debtor-in-possession term loan facility, including $50 million of new money and a partial roll-up of prepetition debt and its $160 million senior secured term loan facility.
  • Onyx Centersource, in connection with the representation of an ad hoc committee of secured lenders in the out-of-court restructuring of Onyx Centersource, a leading provider of hospitality technology for commission payments and recovery solutions for hotels and travel agencies
  • Software Luxembourg Holding S.A. in $520 million first and second lien exit facilities to finance business operations upon emerging from its chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.

Leveraged Finance

  • CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries, Inc. (a portfolio company of Centerbridge Partners) in first and second lien term and letter of credit facilities to finance CraftWorks’ acquisition of Logan’s and refinance existing indebtedness.
  • Culligan International Company (a portfolio company of Advent International) in $430 million first and second lien term facilities to finance its acquisition of ZIP Industries (Aust.) Pty Limited and an incremental senior secured facility to finance its acquisition of TWH Filtration Industries, Inc. including its principal subsidiary Paragon Water Systems Inc.
  • Cava Group, Inc., in its senior secured revolving facility.
  • Kendra Scott, LLC (a portfolio company of Berkshire Partners) in amended and extended senior secured credit facilities.
  • KIK Custom Products, Inc. (a portfolio company of Centerbridge Partners) in its amended $900 million senior secured term facility to refinance existing indebtedness and an amended $275 million ABL revolving facility, to extend the maturity of the initial commitments.
  • PQ Corporation (a portfolio company of CCMP Capital Advisors) in $200 million asset-based revolver and $1.2 billion senior secured multicurrency term facility to finance the reorganization and combination of PQ and Eco Group Services Holdings LLC (also a portfolio company of CCMP Capital Advisors).

Veronica received her Juris Doctor magna cum laude from St. Mary’s University School of Law and her B.A. from Austin College.

* Includes matters handled prior to joining Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Nancy E. Hart is a litigation partner in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She is Co-Chair of the firm’s Law Firm Defense Practice Group and a member of the White Collar, Securities Litigation, and Class Action Groups.

Ms. Hart focuses on law firm defense, real estate litigation, securities and derivative litigation, corporate control contests, and class action defense, as well as crisis management issues in white collar investigations. Ms. Hart had significant experience representing clients in a wide range of matters in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as in domestic and international arbitrations, involving a wide range of claims, including legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting tortious conduct, fraud, breach of contract, joint venture disputes relating to real property, and various Securities Act claims. Ms. Hart has successfully represented law firms, companies, partnerships, real estate ventures, and individuals throughout the country in high-stakes matters at all phases of trial court litigation and arbitration, including through multiple victories at trial.

Ms. Hart is recognized by Chambers USA as one of the nation’s leading attorneys for Law Firm Defense. In March 2020, The Am Law Litigation Daily named Ms. Hart as “Litigator of the Week” for obtaining a successful jury verdict on behalf of a Fortune 250 company. Ms. Hart has also been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as “One to Watch” in Litigation – Securities and by Benchmark Litigation as a “Future Star.”

Ms. Hart is also a member of the Professional Responsibility Committee of the Bar of the City of New York, a committee that examines legal ethics issues facing practitioners and makes recommendations as to potential changes in the standards that govern the conduct of lawyers. Ms. Hart further serves on the executive committee of the board of directors of Family Legal Care, a non-profit focused on helping families navigate New York’s family court system.

Ms. Hart graduated magna cum laude from Boston College Law School in 2003 and was elected to the Order of the Coif. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Vassar College in 1998. Ms. Hart is admitted to practice in the State of New York and before the United States Court of Appeals for the First, Second, Sixth, and Eleventh Circuits, as well as the District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

Representative Matters

  • Successfully represented law firm in actions filed both in Washington, D.C. and Illinois in which the plaintiff, a major accounting firm, and its clients alleged negligence and fraud and sought hundreds of millions of dollars in damages relating to the marketing of certain tax products. Decision affirmed on appeal.
  • Successful resolution of lawsuit against law firm in New York in which plaintiff alleged legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with a former representation and claimed damages in excess of $600 million.
  • Won lengthy trial representing a Fortune 250 company in connection with civil litigation asserting nearly $1 billion in liability arising out of financing related to an alleged “Ponzi” scheme.
  • Won lengthy arbitration representing a law firm in connection with legal malpractice claims and obtained substantial monetary award against plaintiff in counterclaim.
  • Won dismissal at the pleading stage of multi-million litigation asserting RICO claims, among others, brought by former President Donald Trump against law firm client and others.
  • Won lengthy arbitration on behalf of a real estate entity stemming from the attempted wrongful termination of entity as the general partner of joint venture partnership by equity member.
  • Defeated attempted dismissal of claims brought by real estate entity against joint venture partner, resulting in resolution on favorable terms.
  • Advised real estate entity in connection with negotiation and potential litigation relating to multi-billion venture with governmental partner.
  • Successfully represented Vista Outdoors in high-stakes earn-out dispute initiated by Vista against the sellers of a business Vista acquired. Following expedited discovery, won summary in the Southern District of New York on affirmative claims and dismissal of defendants’ counterclaims. The Court’s memorandum and order is now the leading opinion addressing the duty of good faith and fair dealing under NY law.
  • Successfully represented a law firm in connection with potential high stakes litigation with a former associate and helped successfully bring the matter to resolution to the benefit of the client.
  • Won summary judgment on behalf of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey dismissing Commerce Clause challenge to certain toll and fare increases approved by the Port Authority. Earlier in the same litigation, defeated plaintiffs’ application for a preliminary injunction, and won ruling upholding exercise of the deliberative process privilege.
  • Obtained preliminary injunction on behalf of leading international insurance organization in Delaware Chancery Court preventing former business partner from using trade secrets and confidential information. Key victory paved the way to successful resolution for client.
  • Obtained complete dismissal of all claims at summary judgment on behalf of Dow Jones in successful defense against a consumer class action in the Southern District of New York brought on behalf of a putative nationwide class of annual com subscribers regarding access to Barron’s Online; favorable decision affirmed on appeal by the Second Circuit.
  • Represented a leading cosmetics and skincare company in international arbitration in dispute involving termination of British distributor and numerous contractual claims. Case resolved favorably for the client.
  • Successfully represented leading hotel and resort conglomerates in connection with multiple §1782 applications filed around the country seeking extensive and burdensome discovery for use in a foreign proceeding and successfully had all such applications either denied by court order or otherwise withdrawn.

Recent Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “Legal Malpractice and M&A,” Bar Association of the City of New York, New York, NY, November 2021.

Publications

  • Contributing author, Obtaining Evidence for Use in International Tribunals Under Section 1782 (publication March 2020).
  • Author, “Chancery Rejects Attempt to Stop Running of Interest in Appraisal Action,” Delaware Business Court Insider (March 19, 2014).
  • Author, “Chancery Court Provides Guidance on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Waive’ Standstill Provisions,” Delaware Business Court Insider (January 16, 2013).
  • Author, “The Instant Impact of Shady Grove Orthopedic Assoc. v. Allstate Ins. Co. on Litigators and the Interplay Between FRCP 23 and State-Law Limits on Class Actions,” ExecSense Webinars (May 15, 2010).

Erin Choi is a dedicated trial lawyer in the Dallas office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and a key member of the firm’s Technology Litigation, Class Actions, and Trials practice groups. Erin routinely represents leading technology and consumer companies in high-stakes, complex commercial and data-intensive litigation, including putative class actions, multi-district litigation (MDLs), and bench and jury trials. She excels at guiding clients through every phase of a case—from pre-trial strategy through appeal—combining sharp technical and business insight with persuasive courtroom advocacy.

Representative Matters

  • Representing leading social media company in class action involving claims of discrimination and algorithmic bias.
  • Representing leading social media company in class actions and arbitrations involving claims under the Wiretap Act, CIPA, VPPA, and state biometric statutes.
  • Trial counsel for leading social media company in a $300 billion lawsuit brought by the Texas Attorney General, alleging violations of Texas privacy laws through the capture and use of biometric data without informed consent.
  • Represented major technology company in hundreds of coordinated lawsuits stemming from a mass-casualty event at a large-scale entertainment festival.*
  • Trial counsel for a national retailer in Chapter 11 proceedings, defeating more than $1 billion in asserted surcharge claims. Victory affirmed on appeal by the U.S. Court of Appeals and cert denied by the U.S. Supreme Court.*
  • Trial counsel for multiple energy, communications, and infrastructure companies in contested confirmation and asset sale hearings involving billions of dollars in debt, including disputes over plan support agreements, strategic investments, and environmental liabilities.*
  • Secured favorable settlement for pharmacy benefit manager on the eve of the final hearing in a breach of contract arbitration.*
  • Secured summary judgment and favorable settlement for energy client in arbitrations involving claims of breach of contract and delays in project execution.*
  • Represented software company in litigation filed by a competitor involving trade secret misappropriation and breach of contract claims.*
  • Represented retailer in a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former executive, asserting counterclaims for trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, and conversion.*
  • Secured TRO and preliminary injunction against a former employee on behalf of a national retailer in a non-compete dispute.*
  • Trial counsel for technology companies in patent and licensing disputes in federal court, arbitration, and before the ITC, including high-stakes proceedings involving consumer electronics, software, and hardware platforms.*
  • Briefed and argued appeals before the Second, Fourth, Seventh, and Eleventh Circuits.*
  • Argued and won asylum for a persecuted former judge from the Democratic Republic of Congo in immigration court and has authored amicus and certiorari briefs in landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases involving youth sentencing and ineffective assistance of counsel.

Erin earned her JD from Wake Forest University School of Law, where she was admitted to the Order of the Barristers. Prior to law school, Erin earned a B.S. in biology from Wake Forest University. Erin is admitted to practice in the state of Texas.

Recognition & Leadership

  • Named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers annually since 2017.
  • Named a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch honoree since 2021.
  • Speaker and author on emerging issues in technology, AI, and class action litigation.
  • Active in the Dallas legal community and pro bono work: 
    • Serve on the Dallas Women Lawyers Association’s board.
    • Received Angel of Freedom Award from HRI for pro bono human rights work.

*Matters handled prior to Gibson Dunn.

Nicole Santora is an associate in Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. Office.  She practices in the firm’s Litigation Department, where she specializes in high-stakes trial litigation, complex commercial litigation, and white-collar defense across a wide range of industries, including technology, entertainment, and finance.  She has successfully represented clients in trade secrets, contract, and founder disputes, along with internal and federal regulatory investigations.  Nicole has extensive experience in civil discovery, including first- and second-chairing depositions in federal court. 

 Representative matters include:

  • Secured complete defense verdict on behalf of Fortune 250 company in three-week jury trial with nearly $1 billion at issue arising out of asset-backed financing related to an alleged “Ponzi” scheme, a verdict which was affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
  • Represented leading satellite company in breach of contract and unjust enrichment lawsuit, including two-week bench trial.  Conducted deposition of rebuttal expert witness.
  • Won summary judgment for healthcare technology company and its founders in lawsuit filed by early investor alleging breach of contract and fraud.
  • Represented sports betting company in trade secrets misappropriation and breach-of-contract dispute with a former executive.
  • Represented Esperion Therapeutics in a pharmaceutical licensing dispute, which resulted in a favorable settlement.
  • Represented Amazon.com in lawsuit concerning Key for Business service.
  • Represented former aerospace executive in a cross-border DOJ investigation into potential ITAR violations.

Nicole clerked for the Honorable Valerie E. Caproni of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York from 2022 to 2023.  Prior to clerking, she was a litigation associate in Gibson Dunn’s New York Office.

Nicole received her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, in 2019 from New York Law where she graduated first in her class.  She served as Editor-in-Chief of the New York Law School Law Review and Executive Editor of the Moot Court Association.  While attending law school, Nicole worked full-time as a human resources manager in higher education.

Nicole maintains an active pro bono practice.  For example, she has represented a public housing tenant in obtaining a favorable settlement in a reasonable accommodation action under the ADA in the Southern District of New York and has represented clients in amicus briefs filed in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nicole is admitted to practice in Washington, D.C., the State of New York, and before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

Omar Elsaai is an associate in the Los Angeles office of Gibson Dunn. He currently practices in the firm’s Litigation Department.

Omar earned his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, where he received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Clinic for his contributions and participation in the Social Enterprise and Nonprofit Clinic. Before law school, Omar earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Emory University.

Omar is admitted to practice law in the State of California.

Benjamin B. Wagner is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Palo Alto office, and is a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations, False Claims Act, FCPA, Cybersecurity, FDA and Health Care, Securities Enforcement, Litigation, and Anti-Money Laundering Practice Groups. Ben’s practice focuses on the representation of clients in government investigations, internal investigations including workplace misconduct issues, compliance reviews, and litigation involving federal, state and local agencies including the U.S. Department of Justice, SEC, FTC, and State Attorneys General. An experienced trial and appellate attorney, he has tried 18 felony criminal cases in federal court, and argued multiple appeals in the Ninth Circuit and the Fifth Circuit. 

Ben is a Chambers-ranked attorney in White Collar Crime and Investigations (2018-2025). A client described him to Chambers as “the person to turn to when high-level help is needed.” In 2018, Ben received a Champion of Educational Justice Award from California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. for his pro bono work on a civil rights case involving disciplinary practices in Modesto City schools. He received a California Lawyer Attorney of the Year “CLAY” award from California Lawyer Magazine, and the Daily Journal named him as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in California. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he received the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys Director’s Award for Superior Performance three times, for cases involving health care fraud, money laundering, and domestic terrorism, and a Meritorious Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Ben served as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California from November 2009 through April 2016. Appointed by President Obama, he oversaw the district’s three offices and 175 employees, covering over half the area of California. During his tenure, he was appointed by Attorney General Eric Holder to the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, where he served for three years, working with Department leadership on national law enforcement policy. He was also appointed by Attorney General Loretta Lynch to serve as Co-Chair of the White Collar Crime Subcommittee. As U.S. Attorney, Ben oversaw investigations leading to multi-billion dollar settlements with two national financial institutions, and numerous investigations under the False Claims Act in the health care, defense and education industries that led to record FCA recoveries in the district. Ben served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and as Chief of the Special Prosecutions Unit in the Eastern District between 1992 and 2009, handling investigations, trials and appeals in cases involving financial fraud, tax evasion, health care fraud, money laundering, domestic terrorism, public corruption, and other offenses. He also served as a national security prosecutor, held a security clearance and supervised investigations and prosecutions involving cyber intrusions, hacking and cyber espionage.

Ben earned his Juris Doctor in 1986 from New York University School of Law, where he was Managing Editor of the Journal of International Law and Politics. He received his undergraduate degree in 1982 from Dartmouth College. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Robert College of Istanbul, Turkey. He is admitted to practice in California and New York.

A sample of Ben’s representative matters include the following:

  • Defended a public technology company in the course of a two-year federal grand jury investigation, successfully obtaining a full declination.
  • Defended another public technology company in connection with an SEC investigation of alleged misrepresentations related to product performance, successfully obtaining a no-action letter.
  • Represented a major energy company in negotiating a national agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, resolving a three-year grand jury investigation into alleged environmental crimes.
  • Defended a pharmaceutical company in a nationwide False Claims Act investigation by the U.S.
  • Department of Justice relating to claimed off-label marketing and violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, successfully obtaining a declination and dismissal of the complaint.
  • Represented a witness who testified at two trials on behalf of a major investor victim in the prosecution of Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani, former Theranos Executives.
  • Successfully negotiated a civil settlement on behalf of a technology company following a three year investigation by the California Attorney General’s Office into compliance with state regulations.
  • Served as principal author in joint appellate briefs to the Ninth Circuit leading to the reversal of mail fraud convictions for six defendants.
  • Represented a national environmental services company in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into compliance issues at an acquired business.
  • Represented civil RICO plaintiffs in the Northern District of California, securing a $14.6 million judgment.
  • Represented a large public technology company in litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice over the scope of the Wiretap Act, and on appeal.
  • Represented the CEO of a public company in connection with an insider trading investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the SEC.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for the Audit Committee of a technology company into allegations of workplace misconduct by a co-founder.
  • Defended a real estate company in a civil case in California state court seeking $200 million in damages arising out of a shareholder dispute, successfully winning a full dismissal of the case.
  • Conducted an internal investigation for the Audit Committee of a manufacturer of sophisticated testing equipment into alleged violations of export controls laws. 
  • Conducted an internal investigation for the Audit Committee of a multinational technology company into whistleblower allegations of financial improprieties by corporate officers.
  • Retained by the California Legislative Counsel Bureau to conduct multiple independent investigations of allegations of sexual harassment and other workplace misconduct by Members and senior staff of the State Senate and Assembly.
  • Conducted an FCPA review of transactions in Latin America for a global hardware distribution company.
  • Defended an industrial services company in a False Claims Act and civil RICO case in the Northern District of California, secured a full dismissal with prejudice.
  • Represented a business executive charged with wire fraud in a federal prosecution and in an appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Recent Publications and Speaking Engagements Include:

  • Panelist, “Truth, Lies and Consequences: Trial Lessons Learned from the Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes cases,” Association of Business Trial Lawyers webcast, San Francisco, January 25, 2022
  • Co-Author, “The Evolution of Privacy Enforcement in California – CPRA and the CA Attorney General’s Office,” The Recorder, January 22, 2021

Sung Bin Lee is an associate in the New York office of Gibson Dunn. His practice focuses on patent litigation and IP counseling in a wide range of subject matters including cellular & wireless technology, cloud computing, consumer electronics, steel manufacturing, pharmaceuticals & biologics, vaccines, and nuclear medicine. Sung Bin’s work also includes compliance investigations and a pro bono practice, focusing primarily on immigration law.

Sung Bin has litigated in federal District Courts, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the United States Supreme Court, the International Trade Commission (ITC), and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO). Sung Bin has experience in all phases of litigation, including pre-suit diligence, Rule 12 motions, fact discovery, depositions, expert discovery, claim construction, dispositive motions and hearings, bench and jury trials, pre- and post-trial briefing, and appellate briefing.

Sung Bin received his Juris Doctor in 2018 from Columbia Law School, where he was named a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and served as a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Valerie E. Caproni of the Southern District of New York, Notes Editor for the Columbia Business Law Review, and staff editor for the Columbia Science and Technology Law Review. While in law school, Sung Bin obtained a certificate in Global Business Law and Governance from Sciences Po and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.

Sung Bin received his Bachelor of Science in Molecular & Cellular Biology, with honors, in 2013 from the Johns Hopkins University. As an undergraduate, he co-authored a research article on the neurotoxicity pathways underlying multiple sclerosis.

Sung Bin is a native speaker of Korean. He is admitted to practice in the State of New York.

Representative matters:

  • Represented Verizon in the Eastern District of Texas and the PTO against General Access regarding patents directed to Wi-Fi and 5G technology.  The trial team won the first-ever new trial order on all issues before Judge Gilstrap in a $845 million claim, prior to a highly favorable settlement.
  • Represented ArcelorMittal in the ITC and the PTO against VinFast regarding patents directed to steel manufacturing processes.
  • Represented SharkNinja in multiple cases in the District of Massachusetts, the PTO, and the ITC against Dyson regarding patents directed to haircare and vacuum cleaners.
  • Represented Novartis in the District of Delaware against generic manufacturers of a leading drug indicated for relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis.
  • Represented Novartis in the District of Delaware against generic manufacturers of a leading drug indicated for acute myeloid leukemia and systemic mastocytosis.
  • Represented Novartis in a PTO post-grant proceeding regarding patents directed to radiopharmaceutical manufacturing processes.
  • Represented VMware and Dell in the Western District of Texas against WSOU regarding patents directed to data storage.

Michael J. Scanlon is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn. He is a member of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance, Securities Enforcement, and Corporate Transactions Practice Groups, and has an extensive practice representing U.S. and foreign public company and audit firm clients on regulatory, corporate governance, and enforcement matters.

Michael advises corporate clients on SEC compliance and disclosure issues, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and corporate governance best practices, with a particular focus on financial reporting matters. He frequently represents both accounting firms and public company clients on SEC and PCAOB accounting and auditing matters, including financial statement materiality and restatement issues, internal control issues, auditor independence, and other accounting-related disclosure issues. Michael has represented large accounting firms in enforcement investigations conducted by the SEC, PCAOB, and state accountancy boards. He also is experienced in conducting internal investigations involving accounting irregularities for management, audit committees, and other Board committees, and represents clients on these matters before the SEC. Michael also represents several public company boards of directors and audit committees, as well as not-for-profit organizations, with respect to corporate governance and other compliance matters.

Recognized nationwide by Chambers for Accounting and Auditor Liability, Michael has served as Chair of the ABA’s Law and Accounting Committee, Business Law Section, and as Chair of the DC Bar’s Law and Accounting Committee. He also served as one of eight lawyers nationwide on the National Conference of Lawyers and Certified Public Accountants, a joint ABA-AICPA standing task force. Michael is also a member of the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Profession.

Michael serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee, serves as Chair of the Firm’s Associate Compensation Committee, and formerly served as Hiring Partner in the D.C. office. Michael also is a frequent speaker and author on securities regulatory and enforcement matters and corporate governance matters. Recent speaking engagements include:

  • “Audit Committees in Action: The Latest Developments,” TheCorporateCounsel.net’s Webcast (January 2016)
  • “The Evolving Audit Committee and Auditor Relationship,” Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals, Annual Meeting (October 2015)
  • “The SEC’s Renewed Focus on Financial Reporting,” ABA Business Law Section, Spring Meeting (April 2014)
  • “Key Accounting and Auditing Issues for Lawyers 2013,” ABA Business Law Section, Fall Meeting (November 2013)

Michael also frequently appears as a speaker at continuing legal education programs for various clients. Michael has authored or co-authored more than thirty articles on securities regulatory, corporate governance, and enforcement-related matters.

Michael is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and he is a member of the American Bar Association. He served as a law clerk to Judge Richard W. Goldberg of the U.S. Court of International Trade from 1997 to 1999. He received his law degree cum laude from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1997, where he was a member of the Tax Lawyer. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Middlebury College in 1992.

Lynn Gurskey is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn. She currently practices in the firm’s Litigation Department.

Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Rebecca Grady Jennings of the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.

Lynn earned her Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt Law School, where she served as an Articles Editor for the Vanderbilt Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from Lipscomb University.

Lynn is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia.

Miles Lynn is an associate in Gibson Dunn’s Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Data Innovation Practice Group, as well as its Artificial Intelligence Practice Group. He advises clients across a range of industries on their most complex regulatory, policy, litigation, and compliance matters relating to artificial intelligence (AI), privacy, cybersecurity, and technology more broadly. His practice has a global scope, with a particular focus on European law. Miles was initially based in the firm’s New York office and now practices in London.

Miles’ practice includes defending clients in high-stakes investigations, disputes, and regulatory enforcement actions, advising on the compliant design of innovative products and services, and drafting and negotiating privacy terms and documentation. He also advises clients on information governance, consumer trust and safety, transaction diligence, cyber incident response, and crisis management.

In addition to his background in law, Miles has experience working as a software engineer and data analyst for major technology companies, including Google. He has also developed his own AI startup, giving him a rare practical understanding of the intricate relationship between product development and regulation.

Miles received his law degree (LL.B.) from the London School of Economics (LSE), where he graduated with a first-class honors degree. Sponsored by Covington & Burling, he later completed his LPC with distinction. Most recently, he attended Imperial College London to further his education in computer science.

Miles frequently speaks on the topic of AI law, most recently at Columbia Law School.

Recent and ongoing representations include:

  • Advised global technology companies on high-stakes and novel legal issues relating to AI, privacy, and cybersecurity.
  • Advised global technology companies on issues at the intersection of technology and fundamental rights, including in the context of litigation and regulatory proceedings.
  • Represented a rapidly growing generative AI start-up in a complex investigation commenced by a European data protection authority.

Ananya Subrahmanian is an associate attorney in the New York office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher.

Ananya received her Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law, where she was a Merit Scholar and served on the American University Law Review. She additionally received a Masters of Law in International and European Business Law at Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain, where she wrote her thesis on the EU AI Act. Ananya graduated, magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Wesleyan University.

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

Lauren Guzman is an associate in the Denver office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She currently practices in the firm’s Corporate Department.

Lauren earned her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2023. While at Duke Law, she participated in the Health Justice Clinic and Civil Justice Clinic. Lauren graduated summa cum laude in 2018 from Regis University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance emphasis.

Stephanie (Stevie) Pearl is Of Counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn, where she is a member of the firm’s Antitrust and Competition Practice Group.

Stevie’s practice focuses on antitrust litigation, merger review, and government investigations. She brings a unique perspective from her recent tenure as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, where she led complex investigations and litigated high-profile merger cases in the Transportation, Energy & Agriculture Section.

Prior to her government service, Stevie was an associate at Gibson Dunn in the Antitrust and Competition Practice Group, where she advised clients on antitrust compliance, merger clearance, and litigation strategy across a broad spectrum of industries, including healthcare, energy, digital platforms, and consumer products. Her work included providing strategic antitrust counsel and representing clients in federal court as well as before the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.

Stevie began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Anthony Scirica of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She earned her J.D. and M.A. in History from Duke University, where she graduated cum laude and served as Executive Editor of the Duke Law Journal. She received her B.A. in History, cum laude, from Yale University.

She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and New York.

Jim Lischeske is a litigation associate in the Denver office of Gibson Dunn. He is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department, and he works with the Intellectual Property Practice Group.

Jim earned his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. While in law school, Jim was an associate editor for the Berkeley Technology Law Journal. In addition, Jim was a founding Branch Director of the Technology and Intellectual Property Branch of Berkeley Law’s Board of Advocates, and he represented Berkeley in the Giles S. Rich Moot Court Competition and the USPTO Patent Drafting Competition.

Prior to law school, Jim earned his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Davis and his master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He also worked as a research scientist and authored peer reviewed publications on the conversion of biomass to fuels with an emphasis on computational modeling.

Jim is admitted to practice law in the State of Colorado.