Skadden chooses White & Case for M&A partnership

Skadden recently welcomed partners Mingda Zhao and Emery Choi to their corporate practice in Houston, both formerly of White & Case. With a combined experience of over 30 years, Zhao and Choi bring a wealth of knowledge in guiding national and international energy and infrastructure clients, as well as private equity funds and their portfolio companies, through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity investments, joint ventures, and other energy-related transactions.

Specializing in acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures in the power, oil, and gas sectors, the duo has advised prominent companies such as China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), Devon Energy, Sixth Street, Occidental Petroleum, and Continental Resources on various significant deals within the industry. This experience positions them as valuable assets at Skadden, where they will contribute to navigating complex and high-stakes transactions for clients.

Eric Otness, head of the Houston M&A and corporate group at Skadden, expressed enthusiasm about the addition of Zhao and Choi to the team. He emphasized their sophisticated understanding of the energy sector and key industry players, highlighting the value they bring in helping clients achieve their business objectives in a rapidly evolving market landscape. Otness views their expertise as vital for propelling the Houston team forward in providing top-tier guidance and service to clients.

Both Zhao and Choi joined White & Case’s Houston office in February 2020 from Vinson & Elkins, an international law firm. Their move to Skadden follows the recent hiring of Steve Gill, a former partner at Vinson & Elkins, who joined the firm’s Houston-based corporate and M&A team earlier this year. The combined capabilities of Zhao, Choi, Gill, and other skilled lawyers at Skadden position the firm to offer exceptional guidance and service as companies navigate the complexities of the global energy sector.

Zhao expressed excitement about the opportunity to leverage Skadden’s reputation for excellence in corporate practice and its global platform to further develop relationships within the energy sector. Likewise, Choi shared enthusiasm for collaborating with the impressive team of attorneys in Skadden’s Houston office, looking forward to expanding the firm’s existing relationships in the sector while fostering new opportunities. The addition of Zhao and Choi, alongside Gill and other talented lawyers, marks a significant step for Skadden in strengthening their offering to clients in the dynamic energy landscape.