Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Charlotte Jacobsen will join the firm’s New York office as a partner in its Intellectual Property Practice Group. Jacobsen, formerly a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP, will continue her patent litigation practice, focusing on life sciences, pharmaceutical and biotechnology patent and licensing disputes.
“Charlotte is a terrific addition to the firm,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “She is a highly regarded patent litigator who will fit extremely well into our growing life sciences patent litigation practice.”
“Charlotte is an experienced, first-chair patent litigator with tremendous experience and credentials and a deep understanding of biology and biotechnology,” said Jane Love, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s global Intellectual Property Practice Group. “Her background and broad experience adds further depth to our patent litigation practice generally, and our life sciences practice specifically, and will benefit our clients as they navigate the nuanced challenges that arise in this space.”
“I’m excited to join the patent litigation group at Gibson Dunn,” said Jacobsen. “The firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group is one of the very best in the country, representing the leading biopharma clients in high-stakes patent litigation. I am thrilled to join its team of exceptional, dedicated life sciences and patent litigation attorneys.”
About Charlotte Jacobsen
Jacobsen is a USPTO-qualified, first-chair patent litigator with almost 20 years of experience representing life sciences clients in complex patent and licensing disputes. She has litigated more than 70 cases, including 45 Hatch-Waxman litigations in a wide range of therapeutic areas for global pharmaceutical companies. She has tried and won cases in all key venues for life sciences patent disputes, including before the federal courts, arbitration panels, and the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). She has handled cases related to small molecule and biologic therapeutics, platform technologies, methods of treatment, and diagnostic methods. She also regularly advises clients on ongoing patent litigations, including assessing the risks associated with Abbreviated New Drug Application and other patent litigations for private equity and M&A deals.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Jacobsen was a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP where she helped establish and lead the firm’s life sciences patent litigation practice. Prior, she practiced at Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto in New York and Milbank LLP in London. In addition to being admitted to practice in New York, she is also admitted to practice in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and England and Wales.
Jacobsen earned her law degree from Columbia Law School in 2008, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. She completed her bar vocational course at Inns of Court School of Law in 2003 and earned her postgraduate diploma in law with commendation from City University, London in 2002.
She received an M.S. in forensic science with distinction in 2001 from King’s College, London, where she was the winner of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences National Project Prize and an M.A. in natural sciences, with a focus on immunology and virology, from the University of Cambridge in May 2000.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Svetlana S. Gans has joined the firm as a partner. Previously Vice President and Associate General Counsel at the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association and a former Chief of Staff for Acting Federal Trade Commission Chair Maureen K. Ohlhausen, Gans joins the Antitrust and Competition; Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation; and Public Policy Practice Groups at Gibson Dunn.
“Svetlana is a strong addition to the firm,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “With her FTC credentials, trade association experience, and industry connections, she will add immediate value to our ability to serve our technology and other sector clients on regulatory, investigative, policy and legislative matters.”
“We are thrilled to have Svetlana on board,” said Ashlie Beringer, Co-Chair of the Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation Practice Group. “She has the unique experience of serving in both antitrust and consumer protection roles at the FTC and as Chief of Staff to Chair Ohlhausen. Her mix of FTC experience at different levels of the agency, combined with her focus on digital platform initiatives, will give us added depth in our competition, consumer protection, data privacy and public policy practices. The timing is perfect as we have seen a sharp increase in demand from our clients in all of these areas, which are rapidly converging.”
“I have long been impressed by Gibson’s leading regulatory and litigation practices, especially in the areas of privacy, consumer protection, and antitrust,” said Gans. “I’m eager to work alongside my new colleagues on issues of the utmost importance to our clients and deliver exceptional client service.”
About Svetlana S. Gans
At Gibson Dunn, Gans will advise on regulatory and public policy matters, including counseling, investigations, enforcement, rulemakings, workshops, and other proceedings before the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, other federal and state agencies, and Congress. She has significant experience in the areas of privacy and consumer protection, including advertising and marketing practices, and issues at the intersection of antitrust and privacy, such as digital regulation.
Gans has been an active leader in the American Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section for almost two decades, currently serving as the Section’s Marketing Officer. She is also a member of the Federal Communications Bar Association, serving as Co-Chair of the Diversity Pipeline Program and Women’s Leadership Committee. Gans has led several initiatives to assist law students and young lawyers, many of whom are diverse or first-generation law students, interested in privacy, consumer protection and antitrust law and policy.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Gans served as the Vice President & Associate General Counsel at the NCTA – The Internet & Television Association since July 2018. In this role, she helped lead engagement strategy and advocacy on competition, privacy, data security, consumer protection, digital regulation, and emerging technology issues before the FTC, DOJ, and Congress.
From 2010 to 2018, she served in various roles at the FTC, most recently as Chief of Staff for Acting Chair Maureen K. Ohlhausen. As Chief of Staff, she managed and oversaw agency operations and served as the Acting Chair’s key advisor on competition and consumer protection investigations and litigation. She created, executed, and oversaw several strategic initiatives for the agency, including the agency process reform, regulatory reform, and data security transparency initiatives.
During her tenure at the agency, she also served as an Attorney Advisor to then-Commissioner Ohlhausen and as Senior Staff Attorney in the Division of Marketing Practices of the Bureau of Consumer Protection and in the Mergers IV Division in the Bureau of Competition.
Prior to her service at the FTC, Gans practiced at two major U.S. law firms. She graduated with high honors in 2001 from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she was Editor of the Transportation Law Journal, and served as a legal extern for Judge John L. Kane in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and with the Office of the Attorney General, Colorado Department of Law.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Christina M. Brown has rejoined the firm as of counsel in the New York office. Brown will serve as a member of the firm’s Business Restructuring and Reorganization Practice Group.
Brown’s practice will focus on representing clients in bankruptcy and insolvency related matters, financings, debt exchanges, and in-court and out-of-court restructurings.
“Christina is a valued and core member of our team, and we are excited to welcome her home,” said Scott Greenberg, Global Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Business Restructuring and Reorganization Practice Group.
Prior to rejoining Gibson Dunn, Brown was a counsel at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where she served as a member of the Financial Restructuring Group.
Brown received her J.D. and LL.M. from Duke University School of Law in 2012. She received her B.S. in Engineering and Architectural Design from Stanford University in 2007. Prior to entering the legal profession, Brown worked as a transportation engineer in Los Angeles, CA.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Douglas S. Horowitz will join the firm’s New York office as a partner. Horowitz, formerly a partner at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP, will lead Gibson Dunn’s leveraged and acquisition finance efforts.
“We are delighted to welcome Doug to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Doug is one of the most prominent and highly regarded bank finance and capital markets practitioners of his generation in the New York market, known for seamlessly guiding clients through complex lending and capital markets transactions. He will serve as a strong addition to our leveraged and acquisition finance teams, a key step in continuing to expand our corporate practices.”
“We are excited to bring Doug on board,” said Aaron F. Adams, Co-Chair of the firm’s Global Finance Practice Group. “Doug has established a stellar reputation as a technically excellent lawyer, a great communicator and a truly collaborative individual. His market-leading profile and gravitas will enhance our strong leveraged finance team.”
“I am looking forward to beginning the next phase of my career at Gibson Dunn,” said Horowitz. “I am eager to plug into the firm’s premier corporate platform to strengthen and lead the firm’s leveraged and acquisition finance efforts.”
About Douglas S. Horowitz
Horowitz focuses his practice on both capital markets transactions, including secured and unsecured high-yield debt, investment grade debt and equity offerings, and on lending and finance transactions, including leveraged loans, investment grade loans and asset-based lending. He has significant experience with IPOs and other equity financings. He regularly represents leading investment banking firms, commercial banks and public and private corporations in a variety of industries, including technology, media, telecommunications, industrials, healthcare, gaming, and real estate.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Horowitz served as a partner at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.
Horowitz graduated from Cornell Law School in 2001, where he was a member of the Cornell International Law Journal. He also earned his MBA from Cornell University in 2001. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics and philosophy from Columbia University in 1997.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP announces today the addition of two Of Counsel to its London team. Cason Moore, formerly with Vinson & Elkins in London, joins the Private Equity, Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets Practices, and Jessica Staples joins the Antitrust and Competition Law Practice from Slaughter and May.
Moore advises on a broad range of corporate transactional and advisory matters, with an emphasis on cross-border M&A transactions, representing both sponsors and public companies. He also advises both issuers and underwriters on capital markets transactions, particularly in high-yield issuances and debt restructurings. He earned his law degree in 2007 from Columbia Law School, where he was a James Kent Scholar and the recipient of the Andrew D. Fried Memorial Prize.
Staples advises clients across a broad range of sectors dealing with UK, EU and global competition authorities. Her experience includes advising on foreign investment, and the EU and UK merger control aspects of high-profile global transactions. She has also represented clients in behaviourial investigations and market studies, and in litigation before the European Courts. She received her LL.M. from the University of Cambridge in 2014.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Michael De Voe Piazza has joined the firm’s Houston office as a partner. Piazza was formerly a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where he served as Co-Head of the firm’s Energy practice. He will continue his private equity and energy practice as Co-Head of U.S. Private Equity at Gibson Dunn.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Michael is one of Houston’s leading lawyers. His practice is highly respected, both in Texas and nationally. He will be an excellent addition to our outstanding team as we add even greater depth to our premier private equity platform.”
“We are excited to have Michael join our team in Houston,” said Michael P. Darden, Partner-in-Charge of the Houston office and Co-Chair of the firm’s Oil & Gas Practice Group. “We’ve known Michael well for many years, and his natural leadership skills, deal proficiency and stellar reputation precede him. Michael is extremely well-regarded in the Houston business and legal communities. He will be an integral part of our growing team in Houston, as well as a key contributor to our global transactional practice.”
“This was such a unique opportunity,” said Piazza. “At this very dynamic time in the market, we will be exceptionally well-positioned to provide top-notch service to clients in a wide variety of transactions across the private equity space. We have terrific momentum, and I really look forward to partnering with Gibson Dunn in the continued growth of both its leading private equity practice and its Houston office.”
About Michael De Voe Piazza
Piazza focuses his private equity practice on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and equity and debt offerings, including control, minority and preferred investments and structured equity and asset-level investments. He has significant experience advising private equity funds and other financial sponsors in “GP stakes” transactions, leveraged buyouts, portfolio company investments and fund formation projects. He regularly represents clients in the financial, oil and gas, energy transition and power sectors.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Piazza was a partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where he served as Co-Head of the firm’s Energy practice and Co-Managing Partner of its Houston office.
Piazza graduated from Georgetown University Law Center cum laude in 2008 and received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University magna cum laude in 2001.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Lauren Giovannone will join the firm’s Los Angeles office as a partner. Giovannone, formerly a partner at Paul Hastings LLP, will continue her real estate practice, which concentrates on all transactional matters associated with the hospitality sector.
“We are delighted to welcome Lauren to the firm,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Lauren is widely regarded for her deep experience in the hospitality sector, and she will help us continue to add depth to our dynamic real estate practice nationwide and across the globe.”
“Lauren is an exceptional hospitality lawyer,” said Jesse Sharf, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Real Estate Practice Group. “In addition to her own robust practice, Lauren’s arrival will allow us to further expand the work we are doing for our clients in the hotel, sports, restaurant and entertainment industries throughout the world.”
“I’m incredibly excited to join Gibson Dunn,” said Giovannone. “Having worked with Gibson Dunn on various real estate transactions over the years, I have admired the firm’s collegiality, first-rate real estate practice and talented attorneys. I look forward to contributing my experience in the hospitality arena and collaborating with my new colleagues.”
About Lauren Giovannone
Giovannone represents real estate development companies, financial institutions, investors, and commercial lessors and tenants in all aspects of the acquisition, development and finance of hotels and resorts, condo-hotels, branded residential projects, theme and water parks, and large mixed-use projects. She regularly negotiates management, franchise, licensing and branding agreements; restaurant leases and management agreements; preopening, technical service and PIP agreements; marketing and sales agreements; subordination and non-disturbance agreements; executive compensation and consulting agreements; and celebrity chef joint venture and management agreements.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Giovannone was a partner at Paul Hastings LLP and co-chair of the Hospitality & Leisure Practice. Giovannone graduated cum laude in 2005 from Loyola Law School, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that David A. Wolber has rejoined the firm as of counsel in the Hong Kong office. Wolber will continue his international trade practice at Gibson Dunn.
“We are delighted that David has returned to Gibson Dunn after an impressive tenure at two major global financial institutions,” said Judith Lee, Co-Chair of the firm’s International Trade Practice Group. “With his in-house experience, his addition is of great benefit to our clients as they continue to navigate their most significant international trade matters.”
Wolber advises companies on the complex legal, compliance, reputational, political and other risks arising out of the interplay of various international trade, national security and financial crime laws and regulations, with a particular focus on economic and trade sanctions, export controls, foreign direct investment controls/CFIUS, anti-money laundering and anti-bribery and anti-corruption.
Before rejoining Gibson Dunn, Wolber served as global financial crime counsel for HSBC, located in Hong Kong, where he advised the bank globally on compliance and risk mitigation strategies associated with various jurisdictions’ sanctions, export controls, AML, ABC and national security laws and regulations, with particular focus on such issues affecting the bank in Asia. Prior to that, he acted in a similar capacity as global financial crime counsel at MUFG Bank. Wolber was previously an associate at Gibson Dunn from 2011 to 2017. Prior to becoming an attorney, Wolber spent more than 10 years in business strategy and development roles at “Big Four” accounting firms and major U.S. law firms.
Wolber earned his law degree magna cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2011. In 1997, he received a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, where he focused on International Trade and Asian Political Economy.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Sophia Vandergrift has joined the firm as a partner. Vandergrift, formerly with Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, will continue her antitrust practice at Gibson Dunn.
“Sophie is a terrific addition to the firm,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Our antitrust practice is extremely busy. With her experience at the FTC and in private practice, Sophie will add additional depth and experience in areas where we are seeing increased demand.”
“We are excited to have Sophie join us,” said Stephen Weissman, a D.C. partner and Co-Chair of the firm’s Antitrust and Competition Practice Group. “She is an excellent lawyer, and her government experience and strong credentials will complement our antitrust practice. Her versatility as a lawyer fits with the Gibson Dunn model of having well-rounded antitrust lawyers who can handle it all from counseling to investigations to litigation.”
“Joining Gibson Dunn and its premier antitrust practice was a natural next step in my career,” said Vandergrift. “I was drawn to the firm’s collaborative and teamwork-oriented approach, and I very much look forward to working with my new colleagues in delivering to our clients top-notch antitrust counseling.”
About Sophia Vandergrift
Vandergrift’s practice focuses on antitrust litigation, government antitrust investigations, merger clearance and counselling on a broad range of competition issues. Before joining Sullivan & Cromwell in 2019, Vandergrift was a member of the Mergers IV Division of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition. During her seven years at the FTC, she handled numerous matters involving merger challenges and served as a lead attorney on a variety of high-profile merger investigations. While in government, Vandergrift also served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the General Crimes Division.
Vandergrift graduated magna cum laude in 2011 from the Washington University School of Law, where she served as the notes editor of the Washington University Law Review and was a member of the Order of the Coif.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is delighted to announce the launch of the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (DARA). DARA is an alliance of seven leading law firms, brought together by Travers Smith, who will provide pro bono legal advice and representation to survivors of domestic abuse in need of protective injunctions. The founding member firms are:
Travers Smith Debevoise & Plimpton Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher Hogan Lovells
Latham & Watkins Reed Smith Slaughter and May
In England and Wales, one in four women experience domestic abuse during their lifetime. Every week two women in the UK are killed by a current or former partner and three die by suicide due to domestic abuse.
DARA will represent individuals who are not eligible for legal aid but cannot afford to pay for private representation, providing them with help, support and representation from the outset to the conclusion of the case.
DARA will be one of LawWorks’ secondary specialisation projects and will take referrals from the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV).
Gibson Dunn has long been an advocate for the rights of domestic abuse survivors, working closely with several highly esteemed organisations.
“At Gibson Dunn we are staunchly committed to providing pro bono legal services to those among us who need it most, which has long included survivors of domestic violence,” said Katherine Marquart, Gibson Dunn’s Pro Bono Chair. “A lack of financial resources and financial independence can be one of many factors that stands in the way of freedom from their abuser and, ultimately, justice for these individuals. We are proud to be teaming up with NCDV, LawWorks, and the other exceptional founding member firms to expand the efforts to help these survivors. We are grateful and humbled to be part of this effort and look forward to working together to provide access to justice to these brave individuals.”
Gibson Dunn’s London office was one of the founding members of the family law pro bono clinic launched in collaboration with the Legal Advice Centre (University House), London in 2016. Since its establishment, the clinic has been providing crucial legal advice and casework assistance to, amongst others, victims of domestic abuse. With Selina Sagayam, a partner in the London office, sitting on the board of trustees of Refuge, the office also has close ties with a leading UK domestic abuse charity which runs the UK’s national domestic abuse helpline.
In addition to its work in London advocating on behalf of survivors of domestic abuse, Gibson Dunn also has a robust pro bono practice in the United States that focuses considerable efforts on providing pro bono counsel to this same community. In our Los Angeles office, we have a longstanding partnership in the community that allows us to advocate directly on behalf of survivors of domestic violence in court to obtain restraining orders against their abusers. And throughout our U.S. offices we work on behalf of immigrant survivors of domestic abuse. We are proud to continue this tradition as one of the founding members of DARA.
For more information: www.daraproject.org
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Madalyn Miller has joined the firm as a partner in the New York office. Miller, formerly with Clifford Chance US LLP, will continue her asset backed finance practice, which is primarily focused on aviation finance, and serve as Co-Chair of the Transportation and Space Practice Group.
“We are delighted to welcome Madalyn to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Madalyn is a talented, well-regarded lawyer whose recognized finance and securitization experience will further strengthen our premier global finance platform.”
“Madalyn’s enthusiasm and passion for client service make her an excellent cultural fit for Gibson Dunn. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Madalyn on our New York team as she begins the next chapter in her career,” said Aaron Adams, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Global Finance Practice Group.
“I’m excited to join Gibson Dunn, a firm whose reputation for excellent lawyering and a truly collaborative culture precedes it,” said Miller. “Gibson Dunn’s strong global platform will serve as a great foundation from which to further grow my asset backed finance practice. The market demand for complex securitizations will only increase in the coming years, making it an exciting time to be a finance practitioner.”
About Madalyn Miller
Miller’s practice focuses on asset backed financing, primarily involving transportation assets. She regularly advises financial investors, many of which are focused on the commercial aviation space, on matters including securitizations, warehouse financings, term loan financings, acquisition financings, as well as asset acquisition transactions.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Miller was a partner at Clifford Chance US LLP.
Miller graduated in 2011 from Columbia Law School, where she served as Notes Editor of the Columbia Business Law Review.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Nicholas Banasevic has joined the firm’s Brussels office as Managing Director, Brussels with the Antitrust and Competition Practice Group. Banasevic formerly served as Acting Director and Head of Unit responsible for European Union antitrust cases in the high-tech/IT sector for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition. At Gibson Dunn, he will join a multi-disciplinary team helping our clients deal with high-stakes antitrust investigations and regulatory matters, including the up-coming Digital Markets Act.
“We are thrilled that Nick has joined Gibson Dunn,” said Christian Riis-Madsen, Partner-in-Charge of Gibson Dunn’s Brussels office and EU Chair of the firm’s Antitrust and Competition Practice Group. “Nick has had an exceptional career, leading some of the most complex and high-profile competition investigations at DG Comp. He is a leader in the global antitrust bar and has been at the center of numerous landmark antitrust decisions in Europe. With his 21 years of experience at DG Comp, primarily in technology, pharmaceuticals and financial services, and his deep economics background, he is a phenomenal addition to our antitrust practice.”
“Gibson Dunn has one of the leading competition practices in the world, and I’m looking forward to entering private practice on such a premier platform with such talented colleagues,” said Banasevic.
About Nicholas Banasevic
Prior to joining the firm, Banasevic worked at DG Competition for over 21 years, holding multiple roles at the agency. He most recently served as Head of Unit for EU antitrust cases in the technology/IT sector from 2012 to 2021. In this role, he supervised a unit of 25 officials, directed the strategic orientation of cases and managed the teams responsible for several landmark decisions. During 2021, he also had additional responsibilities as Acting Director responsible for EU antitrust, merger and state aid cases in the same sector.
He previously served as Deputy Head of Unit responsible for EU merger cases in the financial services and pharmaceuticals sectors.
Banasevic received his Master of European Studies in Economics from the College of Europe in 1995 and Bachelor of Science with honors in Economics and Politics from the University of Bristol in 1994.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that the firm has launched a new industry group focused on the representation of accounting firms and their personnel worldwide. The multi-discipline and multi-jurisdiction practice group will focus on providing regulatory advice and litigation services to accounting firms in all aspects of their work, from audit and accounting compliance to matters arising from consulting and other service lines. The Accounting Firm Advisory and Defense Practice Group is led by James Farrell, Ron Hauben, Monica Loseman, and Michael Scanlon. Hauben just joined the firm this month after serving as Americas Vice Chair and General Counsel of Ernst & Young since 2014.
“Accounting firms have been important clients of the firm for decades,” said Barbara Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “The new Accounting Firm Advisory and Defense Practice Group will allow us to serve these clients in a more coordinated and effective manner. It formalizes what we have long known – that accounting firms are unique entities that require experienced counsel and deep industry expertise.”
The practice group was formalized following the arrival of Farrell, who joined in July 2021 and represents accounting firms around the world in regulatory investigations and private litigation, and Hauben, who joined in January 2022 and will also focus on regulatory investigation and litigation, as well as corporate structure and governance.
“I came to Gibson Dunn excited to join a top-flight group of colleagues who provide a comprehensive range of services to accounting firms,” said Farrell, Co-Chair of the new group. “This new industry group provides the perfect platform to focus our deep bench of attorneys from numerous offices and departments who are well-versed in this space, and unite in our dedication to helping accounting firms address their most complex legal matters.”
About the Accounting Firm Advisory and Defense Practice Group
Gibson Dunn represents accounting firms across their lines of business. The firm’s experience includes:
- Regulatory Compliance. Gibson Dunn assists its clients in navigating their regulatory responsibilities in a highly regulated environment, with intersecting sets of compliance demands.
- Audit Defense. Gibson Dunn represents accounting firms in regulatory investigations conducted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and other U.S. and international regulators, as well as civil litigation.
- Software Implementation and Other Consulting Engagements. Gibson Dunn has represented numerous firms in litigation concerning their consulting businesses, including regarding contracts for the implementation of enterprise software.
- False Claims Act Defense. Accounting firms often conduct significant business with the U.S. government, as well as state and local governments. Gibson Dunn has a sophisticated False Claims Act practice that represents firms in disputes arising with their government customers.
About the Accounting Firm Advisory and Defense Practice Group Leaders
Gibson Dunn has long counseled accounting firms on a wide range of legal matters. Building on that experience and with the arrival of Farrell, who represents accounting firms around the world in regulatory investigations and private litigation and of Hauben, who has extensive industry experience, particularly from the in-house perspective, the firm is now formalizing its practice.
The new Accounting Firm Advisory and Defense Practice Group will be led by an unequaled team of practitioners with more than 100 years of combined experience:
- James Farrell – Farrell focuses in defending cases involving a range of complex accounting issues, such as revenue recognition, securitizations, off-balance sheet entities, reserves, and various structured finance transactions. He has represented clients in many large securities class action lawsuits and accountants’ liability cases throughout the U.S. and internationally.
- Ron Hauben – Most recently the Americas Vice Chair and General Counsel of Ernst & Young, Hauben brings to bear more than three decades of accounting industry experience in navigating “bet the firm” litigation and regulatory matters, crisis management and compliance challenges. His expansive knowledge of the profession and the legal, regulatory and business environment in which it operates is unrivaled.
- Monica Loseman – Loseman focuses her practice in corporate and securities litigation, financial reporting, accounting and related investigations, and accountant defense. She has helped clients defend federal and state litigation and respond to investigations by various government agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the Department of Justice.
- Michael Scanlon – Scanlon 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. He has represented large accounting firms in enforcement investigations conducted by the SEC, PCAOB, and state accountancy boards.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that partner Greta B. Williams has been named Co-Partner-in-Charge of its Washington, D.C. office.
Williams succeeds partner Cynthia Richman, who, along with Co-Partner-in-Charge Thomas H. Dupree Jr., was instrumental in leading the D.C. office over the last several years.
“Cindy has been, and will continue to be, a leader in our D.C. office. We are thankful for her service as a Partner-in-Charge, and especially for her steadfast leadership during the pandemic,” said Gibson Dunn’s Chair and Managing Partner Barbara L. Becker. “Greta, likewise, has already made innumerable contributions including as a mentor and an active member of office and firmwide committees. She will build on her time as a firm leader with this new role, and I look forward to seeing all she will accomplish during her tenure.”
“I am excited and humbled to take on this new leadership challenge, and to partner with Tom, Barbara and the Gibson Dunn leadership team to drive forward the firm’s strategic vision here in the D.C. office,” said Williams. “The last two years have taught us that nothing is more important than listening to and caring for our people. As 2022 begins, I look forward to helping strengthen our culture of collaboration and excellence, attracting the best talent, and elevating our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
About Greta B. Williams
In addition to serving as Co-Partner-in-Charge, Williams is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department, the Labor and Employment Practice, and the Media, Entertainment and Technology Practice.
Williams is a leading employment lawyer with a focus on executive employment disputes, class actions, and trade secrets and noncompete matters. She represents clients across industry sectors, including the technology and media industries. She has also handled numerous employment-related investigations involving sexual harassment and other #MeToo allegations, and other workplace misconduct.
Williams earned her law degree in 2009 from University of California, Berkeley, School of Law. She graduated cum laude from Amherst College in 2003, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Steve Tsoneff has returned to the firm as a partner in the Century City office. Tsoneff, who formerly served as General Counsel & Head of Business Affairs at Madison Wells Media, will concentrate his practice on advising clients on media and entertainment industry-focused transactional matters.
“We are thrilled to welcome Steve back to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Steve’s unique entertainment transactional skillset, along with his tireless work ethic and strong industry network, make him an excellent addition to Gibson Dunn’s premier media and entertainment practice.”
“Steve was a highly respected and widely renowned entertainment industry expert before he joined Madison Wells as its General Counsel, and his in-house experience will make him even more valuable to our clients and global practice,” said Kevin Masuda, Co-Chair of the firm’s Media, Entertainment and Technology Practice Group. “We couldn’t be more excited for Steve to return and provide his expert and pragmatic advice on entertainment transactional matters, including in rapidly evolving development, production and distribution deals. Steve is a brilliant attorney and a wonderful colleague and friend. We’re lucky to have him back.”
“It’s great to return to my professional home,” said Tsoneff. “I began my law practice at Gibson Dunn more than 22 years ago, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with so many friends across the firm. This is an extremely exciting time to be an entertainment lawyer and help clients navigate through the challenges and opportunities of a media and entertainment landscape that is changing at an increasingly accelerated pace, as I saw firsthand during my five years at Madison Wells Media. There really is no other place I’d rather continue the next chapter of my career.”
About Steve Tsoneff
Tsoneff’s practice will focus on advising content producers, distributors and financiers in media and entertainment transactions, licensing, distribution, and rights acquisitions, as well as a range of creative project financing solutions, including single project, slate, and corporate.
Prior to rejoining Gibson Dunn, Tsoneff served as General Counsel & Head of Business Affairs at Madison Wells Media from 2017 through 2021. He practiced at Gibson Dunn from 2000 to 2017 and previously served as Co-Chair of the firm’s Media, Entertainment and Technology Practice Group. Tsoneff has received numerous industry accolades, including multiple appearances on The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 100 Power Lawyers list, and Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report list and Legal Impact Report lists.
Tsoneff received his law degree from Columbia Law School in 2000, where he was recognized as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. He graduated cum laude from Harvard College in 1997.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that the firm will expand its London corporate team with four new partners.
Wim De Vlieger, Till Lefranc, Isabel Berger and Hugo Hernández-Mancha will join the firm as partners in the London office. De Vlieger, Lefranc and Berger, formerly with Sidley Austin LLP, will continue their private equity practice, and Hernández-Mancha, formerly with Linklaters LLP, will continue his capital markets and leveraged finance focus.
Today’s announcement is a continuation of the firm’s strategy of expanding its transactional offerings around the globe. In October, Federico (Fede) Fruhbeck joined as Gibson Dunn’s Co-Head of Private Equity in Europe and Co-Chair of the Projects and Infrastructure Practice Group, alongside partners Robert Dixon and Alice Brogi. De Vlieger will serve as Co-Head of Private Equity in Europe, along with Fruhbeck, and will also co-chair the firm’s Emerging Companies Practice Group.
“We are thrilled to welcome Wim, Till, Isabel and Hugo to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “They are extremely successful, established lawyers who have forged significant practices that strategically align with our London, European, Asian and global private equity and capital markets practices. Their transactional experience will further deepen our global bench of top-notch practitioners as we help navigate our clients seamlessly through increasingly complex cross-border markets.”
“We’re delighted that Wim, Till, Isabel and Hugo will begin the next chapter of their careers as part of our growing London team,” said Penny Madden, Co-Partner-in-Charge of the London office. “We believe that their addition, following on the heels of the arrival of Fede, Robert and Alice, is a transformational step for our London corporate practice. They also have developed substantial experience in private equity real estate, which will also complement our London and global real estate practice. Their joining caps an exciting year for the London office, and we are well primed for the new year ahead.”
“We are excited to welcome our new colleagues,” said Federico Fruhbeck, Co-Head of Private Equity in Europe. “All four lawyers have impressive transactional track records representing high-profile, marquee private equity clients. They will provide a springboard for the continued investment in our London, European and Asian transactional practices.”
About Wim De Vlieger
De Vlieger advises private equity investors and their portfolio companies on a wide range of corporate transactions, including growth equity and control investments and co-investments, structured transactions, buy-out transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and exits. He also has considerable experience advising on strategic cross-border M&A transactions, and on international capital market transactions. He has broad experience counselling clients across a wide range of European jurisdictions, with a focus on transactions in the technology and life sciences sectors.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, De Vlieger practiced with Sidley Austin LLP and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in London.
De Vlieger earned his law degree cum laude from the KU Leuven in 2002, a master’s degree from HEC Paris in 2003, and his LL.M. from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School in 2007.
About Till Lefranc
Lefranc focuses on private equity, M&A, and capital markets transactions across Europe. He advises clients on a broad range of transactions, including cross-border acquisitions and divestitures, growth and minority investments, management incentive plans, shareholder arrangements, buyouts and exits. He also advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, corporates and banks on U.S. capital markets transactions, including high-yield debt offerings and liability management transactions.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Lefranc practiced at Sidley Austin LLP in London. He previously practiced at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.
Lefranc earned his Master in Business Law, magna cum laude, in 2007 from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas, where he was the valedictorian. He received his LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 2008.
About Isabel Berger
Berger advises clients on a broad range of private equity transactions with a particular focus on leveraged buyouts, minority and majority investments, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and management equity plans. She has broad experience advising sponsors across a range of industries including real estate private equity transactions.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Berger practiced with Sidley Austin LLP in London. She began her career at McDermott Will & Emery.
Berger completed her Legal Practice Course in 2010 with distinction and earned her Master of Laws with distinction from BPP University in 2017.
About Hugo Hernández-Mancha
Hernández-Mancha focuses on capital markets and leveraged finance with a particular emphasis on high yield and acquisition finance transactions advising corporate clients, investment banks and private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies. He also has experience working in New York, Paris, London and Madrid.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Hernández-Mancha practiced with Linklaters LLP in London and Madrid. He also previously practiced at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in New York and Latham & Watkins LLP in Paris.
Hernández-Mancha earned his law degree from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 2011 with Premio Extraordinario honors. He earned his LL.M. from Columbia Law School in 2012.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Danielle J. Moss has joined the firm as a partner in the New York office. Moss, formerly with Proskauer Rose LLP, will continue her labor and employment practice at Gibson Dunn.
“Danielle is a terrific addition to the firm,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “She has built a successful practice as the go-to lawyer for clients in the emerging technology, health and wellness, and lifestyle brand sectors. Her arrival will be an important step towards expanding our premier labor and employment practice in New York.”
“We are thrilled to have Danielle join us,” said Katherine V.A. Smith, Co-Chair of the Labor and Employment Practice Group. “Danielle is a unique talent with significant experience handling a wide range of employment matters from counselling clients to leading trials. Beyond her litigation experience, what sets Danielle apart is her passion for counseling clients on best practice measures such as the proper receipt and investigations of complaints, and the importance of diversity and inclusion across industries. She will work with Harris Mufson, who joined the firm last month, to strategically expand our market-leading labor and employment practice in New York.”
“It is a very exciting time to be joining Gibson Dunn,” said Moss. “I look forward to continuing to support clients navigating timely and important labor and employment issues alongside this highly talented team.”
About Danielle J. Moss
Moss’s labor and employment practice focuses on representing employers in disputes across a wide range of matters, including high stakes discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims, as well as wage and hour, noncompete and restrictive covenant issues. She has also led numerous highly sensitive internal investigations.
Before joining Gibson Dunn, Moss practiced with Proskauer Rose LLP since 2016. Prior to that, she served as a Felony Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, New York. Moss received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School in 2011.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that Sanford Stark, Saul Mezei, and C. Terrell Ussing have joined the firm as partners in the Washington, D.C. office. Formerly with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, they will continue their preeminent tax controversy and litigation practices.
Stark will serve as Co-Chair of the firm’s newly formed Global Tax Controversy and Litigation Practice Group, along with Michael Desmond. Desmond, who previously served as Chief Counsel of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, joined the firm earlier this year. Desmond previously served as Tax Legislative Counsel at the U.S. Treasury Department and as a Trial Lawyer in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, in addition to his extensive experience in private practice.
“We are delighted to have Sanford, Saul, and Terrell join the firm,” said Barbara L. Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Our clients turn to us for guidance on a range of complex domestic and international tax issues, and, with this group, we’ll be able to meet the growing demand. Their additions are a great complement to our tax, corporate, litigation, appellate and other practice groups and will help us realize our long-standing objective of establishing a market-leading global tax controversy practice.”
“Sanford, Saul, and Terrell have impeccable credentials and are excellent additions to the firm and our growing tax practice,” said Eric Sloan, Co-Chair of Gibson Dunn’s Tax Practice Group. “With IRS enforcement activity on the rise, it is the right time to expand our tax controversy and litigation capabilities. We began that expansion by bringing Mike Desmond to the firm earlier in May, and Sanford, Saul, and Terrell are the perfect additions. We have the skill and experience to handle the largest, most complex corporate tax disputes.”
“Gibson Dunn is an exceptional firm. Partnering with Mike Desmond and our colleagues across the firm presents a unique and exciting opportunity to expand our offering to clients and continue growing a market-leading tax controversy and litigation practice. We are thrilled to join Mike and all of our new colleagues at Gibson Dunn,” said Stark.
About Sanford Stark
Stark counsels clients on a wide range of complex domestic and international tax issues including a significant emphasis on cross-border transfer pricing. He has served as counsel in a number of the largest tax controversy and litigation matters in recent years. Stark’s clients turn to him for guidance on all aspects of the tax controversy process, including pre-audit, audit, administrative appeals, Advance Pricing Agreements, and Competent Authority proceedings. Stark litigates tax disputes in federal trial and appellate courts, and his transfer pricing experience includes planning and internal restructurings in addition to controversy and litigation.
Stark is a Fellow in the American College of Tax Counsel. He is an adjunct professor in the Graduate Tax Program of Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches “Survey of Transfer Pricing.” He is a co-author of “Transfer Pricing: Litigation Strategy and Tactics,” Bloomberg Tax, Transfer Pricing Portfolio 6932. Stark consistently has been ranked as a leading Tax Controversy practitioner by several publications.
Before entering private practice, Stark served as a Trial Attorney in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He received his law degree in 1991 with high honors from Duke University School of Law, where he was a member of the Alaska Law Review. He served as a law clerk for Judge Peter Hill Beer of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
About Saul Mezei
Mezei practices in the federal tax controversy area, with a focus on international tax and transfer pricing. He has substantial experience advising clients at all stages of federal tax controversy, from audit and administrative appeals to trial and judicial appeals. His clients turn to him for counsel on a wide range of tax controversy matters, including international transfer pricing, foreign tax credits, deemed dividend issues under section 956, partnership tax, employment taxes, and civil penalties.
Mezei is an adjunct professor in the Graduate Tax Program of Georgetown University Law Center, where he currently teaches “Survey of Transfer Pricing.” He previously taught a class on administrative and litigation procedure. He is a co-author of “Transfer Pricing: Litigation Strategy and Tactics,” Bloomberg Tax, Transfer Pricing Portfolio 6932.
Before entering private practice, Mezei served as attorney-advisor to Judge Robert A. Wherry, Jr. of the U.S. Tax Court and senior law clerk to Judge Lawrence B. Hagel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. He received his law degree, cum laude, from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2002 and was elected to the Order of the Coif. He received his LL.M. in Taxation with distinction from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2009.
About C. Terrell Ussing
Ussing represents multinational companies across all industries in all aspects and phases of tax controversy and litigation. He has significant experience representing clients on a range of complex domestic and international tax issues, with an emphasis on transfer pricing. His transfer pricing experience includes complex transfer-pricing litigation, planning, and risk assessment at the federal, international, and state levels.
Ussing is an adjunct professor in the Graduate Tax Program of Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches “Survey of Transfer Pricing.”
Ussing received his law degree in 2012 from the University of Virginia School of Law, where he was an editor of the Virginia Journal of International Law.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that the firm has elected 27 new partners, effective January 1, 2022.
“We are delighted to welcome this class to the Gibson Dunn partnership,” said Barbara Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Each one of these lawyers excels at the practice of law and embraces the culture of excellence, teamwork and collegiality that distinguishes our firm. They have proven themselves to be trusted advisors in their respective areas, enhancing the collaborative relationships we share with our clients. This dynamic group also represents the deep and diverse bench of talent across our global platform. I am incredibly proud of each of them and look forward to all they will accomplish as our newest partners.”
We are especially proud that this group is our most diverse class ever,” added Becker. “With 12 women and seven minority and LGBTQ+ lawyers, 63 percent of the partners elect are diverse.”
The new partners are:
Amanda M. Aycock (Litigation / New York) – Aycock’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, crisis management, and regulatory and white collar defense and investigations, including substantial experience handling technology, consumer protection, and data privacy matters. In 2010, she obtained her Juris Doctor from University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a master of law jointly from the Sorbonne and the Institut d’Études Politiques (Sciences Po). She served as law clerk to Judge Katherine Polk Failla in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Aaron K. Briggs (Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance / San Francisco) – Briggs represents public companies and their boards, with a focus in technology and life sciences, on a wide range of corporate governance, SEC compliance, disclosure effectiveness, shareholder activism and ESG matters. He graduated in 2007 from the University of Chicago Law School.
Courtney M. Brown (White Collar Defense and Investigations / Washington, D.C.) – Brown provides compliance counseling and advises corporate clients, senior executives, and boards of directors in connection with internal and government investigations involving a wide range of topics, including anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, sanctions, and securities matters. She graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 2008.
Michael Q. Cannon (Tax / Dallas) – Cannon has a broad transactional tax practice, with particular emphasis on infrastructure and project finance tax, mergers and acquisition tax, and investment funds tax. He graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in 2012. He served as law clerk for Justice Thomas Rex Lee of the Utah Supreme Court and for Judge Thomas B. Griffith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Megan Cooney (Labor and Employment / Orange County) – Cooney’s practice focuses on employment and class action litigation, including class and representative actions involving wage and hour violations, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and employment misclassification. She graduated in 2013 from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law.
Rachel Levick Corley (Environmental Litigation and Mass Tort / Washington, D.C.) – Corley’s practice covers a wide range of federal and state litigation, agency enforcement actions, cost recovery cases, and administrative rulemaking challenges. She graduated in 2013 from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She served as law clerk to Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Colin B. Davis (Securities Litigation / Orange County) – Davis’s practice focuses on complex business and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on merger and acquisition and securities litigation. He graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2010. He served as a law clerk to Judge Janis L. Sammartino of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
Quinton C. Farrar (Mergers and Acquisitions / New York) – Farrar advises private equity sponsors and corporate clients on a wide variety of complex corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, asset sales, leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, joint ventures and minority investments and divestitures. He graduated from Fordham Law School in 2012.
Cassandra L. Gaedt-Sheckter (Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation / Palo Alto) – Gaedt-Sheckter’s practice focuses on data privacy, cybersecurity and data regulatory litigation, enforcement, transactional, and counseling representations. She graduated from UCLA School of Law in 2011.
Matthew A. Gibbons (Real Estate / New York) – Gibbons focuses on representing major financial institutions, private equity funds and other institutional lenders in connection with complex real estate transactions across all real estate asset classes, including originations of acquisition financings, mortgage financings, mezzanine financings and other subordinate debt, construction financings, refinancings, acquisitions and dispositions of loans and financings of loans. His practice also includes representing institutional investors in connection with acquisitions and dispositions of real estate, joint venture agreements and developments. He graduated from New York University School of Law in 2012.
Jason Zachary Goldstein (Business Restructuring and Reorganization / New York) – Goldstein represents companies, secured lender groups, sponsors, and other parties-in-interest in a wide range of in and out of court restructuring transactions, including in Chapter 11 cases. He graduated in 2012 from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Michelle M. Gourley (Mergers and Acquisitions / Orange County) – Gourley practices general corporate and business law, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate counseling. She graduated in 2007 from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University.
Darcy C. Harris (Litigation / New York) – Harris has significant experience representing individuals and companies across a variety of industries in complex commercial litigation, internal and regulatory investigations, securities litigation, and white collar defense. She graduated from the New York University School of Law in 2009.
Claibourne S. Harrison (Mergers and Acquisitions / London) – Harrison’s practice focuses on private equity, real estate private equity and mergers and acquisitions in the UK, throughout Europe and the United States, which includes advising on joint ventures, cross-border transactions, strategic investments across a number of sectors and industries, as well as acquisitions and disposals of corporate real estate and CRE loan portfolios. He graduated from the Duke University School of Law in 2003.
Patrick Hennessy (Mergers and Acquisitions / London) – Hennessy advises clients on a wide range of corporate matters, including complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions, disposals, leveraged buy-outs and joint ventures. He has substantial experience in private equity real estate and corporate real estate transactions. He received his LL.B. from the University of Southampton in 2002.
Roscoe Jones, Jr. (Public Policy / Washington, D.C.) – Jones focuses on promoting and protecting companies’ interests before the U.S. Congress and the Administration, including providing a range of public policy services to clients such as strategic counseling, advocacy, coalition building, political intelligence gathering, substantive policy experience, legislative drafting, and message development. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2003. He clerked for Judge Carl E. Stewart of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
Julia Lapitskaya (Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance / New York) – Lapitskaya advises clients, including public companies and their executives and boards of directors, on a wide range of securities and corporate governance disclosure matters, with a focus on SEC, NYSE/Nasdaq and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 compliance and reporting requirements, corporate governance best practices, annual meeting and proxy matters, shareholder activism matters, board and committee matters, ESG and sustainability disclosures and executive compensation disclosure issues, including as part of initial public offerings and spin-off transactions. She graduated from the New York University School of Law in 2010.
Vera Lukic (Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Innovation / Paris) – Lukic’s practice covers a broad range of technology related matters, including data privacy compliance and regulatory enforcement, cybersecurity issues, complex technology transactions and disputes, and other digital-related projects, as well as privacy/IT aspects of M&A transactions, for clients across jurisdictions and sectors. She graduated from the Paris-Sud University in 2004.
Amar K. Madhani (Mergers and Acquisitions / London) – Madhani focuses on domestic and international private equity M&A, corporate real estate transactions and investments and private M&A transactions, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity and venture capital transactions. He graduated with an LL.B. degree from the University of Nottingham in 2005.
Toren J. Murphy (Projects and Infrastructure / New York) – Murphy’s practice focuses on infrastructure projects, with experience in public-private partnerships, project procurement, construction contracts, project bonds, project finance, TIFIA loan financings and acquisitions of infrastructure assets, as well as various types of debt financing transactions in Latin America. He graduated in 2007 from the Syracuse University College of Law.
Lindsay M. Paulin (Government Contracts / Washington, D.C.) – Paulin’s practice covers a wide range of government contracts issues, including claims preparation and litigation, bid protests, government investigations under the False Claims Act, internal investigations, cost allowability, suspension and debarment proceedings, mergers and acquisitions involving government contracts, and compliance counseling. She graduated in 2012 from The George Washington University Law School.
Tiffany Phan (Labor and Employment / Los Angeles) – Phan advises employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and has significant experience in class action defense and complex employment litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. She graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 2013.
Kristen P. Poole (Mergers and Acquisitions / New York) – Poole represents both public and private companies, as well as financial sponsors, in connection with mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, minority investments, restructurings and other complex corporate transactions. She graduated in 2010 from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Matthew S. Rozen (Appellate and Constitutional Law / Washington, D.C.) – Rozen’s appellate practice includes litigating and enforcing arbitral awards and judgments against foreign states and representing health insurance and energy companies in high-stakes appeals. He graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 2012. He clerked for Judge Richard A. Posner of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Eric Scarazzo (Capital Markets / New York) – Scarazzo has a broad securities and capital markets practice that includes capital raising transactions, reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, stock exchange compliance, and beneficial ownership reporting matters. He graduated in 2005 from the UCLA School of Law.
Jacob T. Spencer (Appellate and Constitutional Law / Washington, D.C.) – Spencer focuses on high-stakes constitutional, commercial, and regulatory matters in the trial courts and on appeal. In 2012, he graduated from Harvard Law School. He clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas, Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Judge Jerry E. Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Sean K. Tierney (Real Estate / Los Angeles) – Tierney represents institutional and non-institutional real estate investors, developers, operators, lenders and borrowers in negotiating and structuring real estate joint ventures, acquisitions, sales, developments and financings. He also represents hotel owners and operators in connection with the acquisition, financing, branding, and management of hotels. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 2012.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that A.J. Frey has rejoined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner. Frey, formerly General Counsel of Greenspring Associates, will focus on the formation and operation of private investment funds and will advise sponsors of private equity, growth equity, venture capital, and real asset funds.
“We are excited to welcome A.J. back to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara Becker, Chair and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “A.J. is highly regarded and his impressive skillset, further enhanced by his in-house experience, makes him a strong addition to our leading investment funds practice.”
“We are delighted to have A.J. back,” said Shukie Grossman, Co-Chair of the firm’s Investment Funds Practice Group. “As fundraising activity continues to surge and sponsors expand their product offerings, A.J.’s deep proficiency across a variety of fund types will further complement our practice’s formidable profile.”
“I am thrilled to be returning to Gibson Dunn,” said Frey. “The firm’s collaborative culture and stellar reputation made this an easy choice for the next chapter of my career. I know this team well, and I could not be more excited to once again work alongside this tremendously talented group of lawyers.”
About A.J. Frey
Before rejoining Gibson Dunn, Frey served as General Counsel of Greenspring Associates, where he managed the legal function of a more than $13 billion diversified venture capital platform across direct, secondary, fund-of-fund and bespoke investment strategies. Greenspring Associates was acquired in September 2021 by StepStone Group. Frey previously served as an associate at Gibson Dunn in the Investment Funds Practice Group.
Frey graduated summa cum laude in 2012 from Washington and Lee University School of Law, where he received the John W. David Prize for Law for the highest cumulative grade point average, served as managing editor of the Washington and Lee Law Review, and was elected to the Order of the Coif.