Skadden Adds M&A Partners Mingda Zhao and Emery Choi in Houston
Global law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP has announced the addition of Mingda Zhao and Emery J. Choi as Partners in the firm’s corporate practice based in Houston. Both Zhao and Choi join from another leading global law firm and bring extensive transactional experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
The duo will counsel U.S. and international energy and infrastructure clients, including private equity funds and their portfolio companies, on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity investments, and other strategic energy transactions.
Mingda Zhao brings a wide breadth of experience advising on cross-border transactions and structured or alternative investments, while Emery Choi is well-versed in representing clients on M&A, private equity investments, and joint ventures, particularly in the oil and gas and power industries. Both have advised major industry players including CNOOC, Continental Resources, Devon Energy, Occidental Petroleum, and Sixth Street, playing critical roles in some of the sector’s most significant transactions.
Eric Otness, head of Skadden’s Houston M&A/Corporate Group, said,
“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.”
Expressing his enthusiasm, Mingda 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. I look forward to utilizing my experience in the energy space and working alongside the firm’s team of highly skilled attorneys.”
Emery Choi said,
“The Houston corporate team comprises an impressive group of attorneys, and 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 while working alongside this accomplished group.”
The appointments of Zhao and Choi follow the firm’s earlier hire of Steve Gill as Partner in the Houston M&A/Corporate Group, reinforcing Skadden’s commitment to energy-focused transactions. The combined strength of the Houston office, led by industry experts like Gill, Zhao, and Choi, underscores the firm’s ability to deliver top-tier legal counsel to energy clients navigating global transactional complexities.
Mingda Zhao earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and his B.A. from Hampshire College. He has been ranked in Chambers USA – Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional).
Emery Choi holds a J.D. from the University of Texas and a B.A. from Yale University. He has also been recognized by Chambers Global in the Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) category.
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