Law firm Skadden hires White & Case for a partnership in mergers and acquisitions.
💥 Hot Off the Press! 💥
23rd June 2025 - Skadden Steals the Show with M&A Powerhouse Duo 💼💥
Hey there! Guess who's causing a stir in the legal world? None other than Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. The multinational powerhouse has just made a strategic move that has everyone talking. They've nabbed two heavy-hitting partners, Mingda Zhao and Emery Choi, from global firm White & Case. This dynamic duo, bringing over 30 years of combined expertise, will bolster Skadden's Houston branch, focusing on the energy and infrastructure sectors.
So, who are these new kids on the block? Well, Mingda Zhao and Emery Choi are M&A powerhouses, known for their prowess in mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, joint ventures, and other energy deals. They've got a particular passion for the oil and gas sector, with an impressive portfolio of major deals under their belts.
The pair will be working closely with national and international clients, as well as private equity funds and their portfolio companies, helping them navigate the complexities of the ever-evolving global energy market.
One of their standout achievements was advising the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on its whopping $1.73 billion sale of offshore Gulf of Mexico assets to INEOS Energy. They've also handled significant deals for Devon Energy, Sixth Street, Occidental Petroleum, and Continental Resources, among others.
Eric Otness, head of Houston's M&A and corporate group at Skadden, had this to say about the new additions: "The addition of Mingda and Emery will propel our Houston team in an important direction. Their sophisticated understanding of the energy sector and its key players will be instrumental as we help our clients achieve their business goals across their most complex, innovative, and high-stakes transactions."
Zhao and Choi aren't new to the game. They joined White & Case's Houston arm in 2020, having previously worked at international law firm Vinson & Elkins. Their arrival at Skadden follows that of fellow ex-Vinson & Elkins partner, Steve Gill, earlier this year.
In a press release, Skadden noted that the combined capabilities of Zhao, Choi, and Gill, along with other "exceptional lawyers", will provide clients with "top-tier guidance and service as companies navigate the evolving complexities of the global energy sector".
Excited about their new venture, Zhao said: "Skadden's corporate practice is renowned for its excellence, and the firm's global platform presents an exciting opportunity to further develop our relationships in the energy sector." Choi added: "I look forward to collaborating with them and joining this growing office. I am excited to help expand the firm's existing relationships within the sector and foster new opportunities."
These two are not just paper-pushers. They've proven their mettle time and again, representing major industry players and leaving a strong footprint in the oil and gas sector's M&A and private equity arenas. This move by Skadden is sure to give their competitors a run for their money!
[1] Mergermarket[2] Law360[3] Bloomberg[4] Global Energy World[5] OilPrice.com
- The new partnership of Mingda Zhao and Emery Choi at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, with their expertise in energy deals and finance, is poised to create significant impact in the oil and gas industry.
- This strategic move by Skadden promises to revolutionize the energy sector, as their focus on M&A and private equity investments will undoubtedly provide clients with competitive edge in the evolving global energy market.
