Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Firm Overview:

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is a full-service international law firm that advises on the most significant transactions and complex litigation around the world. Consistently achieving top rankings in industry surveys and major publications, Gibson Dunn is distinctively positioned in today’s global marketplace with more than 1,900 lawyers and 21 offices. With an equal number of offices in the US and internationally, the firm is located in major cities throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Main Areas of Practice:

Business Restructuring/Insolvency:

Gibson Dunn advises private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, funds, corporate groups and creditors on all aspects of restructuring, insolvency and financial distress. The firm has advised on some of Europe’s most complex and high-profile restructuring matters (mandat ad hoc, conciliation and safeguard) representing both debtors and creditors. The firm also advises potential purchasers in high-profile distressed M&A and real estate transactions.

Capital Markets:

The firm works with companies listed on various European exchanges, as well as US public companies, providing securities law advice, acting for underwriters and European issuers in London-listed IPOs, as well as high-yield and other debt securities offerings, block trades and rights offerings, including US public offerings, Rule 144A offerings, equity private placements and Regulation S offerings.

Commercial Real Estate/Real Estate Private Equity:

Gibson Dunn’s real estate team advises on all aspects of commercial real estate, including corporate and investment property acquisitions and disposals, financing, development, leasing and joint ventures. The firm regularly advises on the acquisition of real estate loan portfolios (whole loans, senior and/or junior notes and structured pieces) from financial institutions, distressed/vulture fund formation, mezzanine loan origination and debt restructurings and workouts. A significant aspect of the firm’s real estate practice involves the representation of European, US and other foreign-based investors, developers and lenders in establishing themselves and conducting business in Europe and beyond.

Competition/Antitrust:

Gibson Dunn’s Brussels office is the hub of its European competition/antitrust practice, working closely with antitrust lawyers across its international offices. The team defends clients who are subject to cartel or abuse of dominance investigations, some involving multiple agencies (and potential follow-on litigation). Recognised as a leading practice, it advises businesses across all industry sectors on how to organise their distribution networks and structure transactions and joint ventures so as to avoid antitrust concerns, as well as obtain antitrust clearances for international mergers. Particular experience includes automotive, TMT/hi-tech, financial services and luxury goods industries.

Compliance:

A leading law firm for anti-corruption and antitrust compliance, especially regarding the FCPA, UK Bribery Act and other international anti-corruption laws, the firm’s compliance team conducts internal investigations all over the world, representing clients before government authorities and advising clients in the development and implementation of compliance programs.

Corporate/M&A & Private Equity:

Gibson Dunn’s European offices focus on complex corporate transactions, including M&A, joint ventures, asset and investment management, financing and corporate governance, representing multinational corporations and firms in high-profile domestic and cross-border transactions. Its private equity work covers every type of investment and divestment activity, including early and later stage venture capital investments; MBOs, MBIs, IBOs and LBOs; reengineered buy-outs; public to privates; exits by sale to trade/financial buyers; and equity and debt financings.

Dispute Resolution/Litigation:

The firm’s dispute resolution practice covers commercial litigation, international arbitration, mediation, investigations and regulatory proceedings, antitrust matters and employment issues. The team represents clients across a wide spectrum of industries, with particular capabilities in insurance and reinsurance, financial institutions, accountancy issues, telecoms and oil and gas. Gibson Dunn represents clients before arbitral tribunals, the UK courts and courts in other EU jurisdictions including all appellate levels. The London and Paris offices work closely with the firm’s US litigation group to provide seamless service on cross-border disputes.

Finance:

Gibson Dunn’s finance lawyers focus on acquisition finance, securitisation, real estate, senior and mezzanine debt, refinancings and restructurings, loan notes and funds. Much of the firm’s work in this area is cross-border, with particular strength in complex financing transactions involving a variety of European jurisdictions. Gibson Dunn also has considerable experience in Islamic-and Shari’ah-compliant transactions.

Information Technology/Intellectual Property:

Gibson Dunn negotiates license agreements and software development projects, drafts and negotiates R&D and technology transfer agreements, as well as complex project-related work in hi-tech environments including telecommunication networks, plant construction and outsourcing. The firm helps clients navigate local, national and international regulations governing privacy, trade and the protection of intellectual property.

International Tax:

Gibson Dunn lawyers advise both European and US corporate clients and investment funds on the tax structuring of international corporate transactions, including M&A, restructuring, real estate, private equity/venture capital and structured finance transactions. The firm has significant experience in the context of complex tax controversy matters and also has an in-depth tax ruling practice.

Labour & Employment:

The firm advises European and US clients on both contentious and non-contentious labour and employment matters, as well as matters involving consultants and directors. It has a focus on corporate governance matters, boardroom appointments and removals, employment issues facing private equity companies, cross-border employment issues, whistle-blowing and discrimination claims, enforcing and resisting postemployment restrictive covenants, protecting confidential information, employee consultation, collective labour and industrial disputes, redundancies and workforce restructurings, TUPE and the employment aspects of public and private M&A and outsourcing arrangements.

Public/Regulatory:

Gibson Dunn advises clients on privatisations, public-private partnerships, regulatory law and policy, both for public and private entities. The firm represents and assists government bodies, including sector-specific regulators, and State-owned and private entities in their development, operational responsibilities and administrative and arbitration proceedings.