Global law firm White & Case LLP announced today that it has expanded its Houston office with the addition of new partners Mingda Zhao and Emery Choi, who join the Firm’s Global Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Practice and Global Oil & Gas Industry Group. Prior to joining the firm, the pair practiced in the Houston office of Vinson & Elkins LLP.

“Mingda and Emery are talented lawyers and a great addition to our M&A Practice,” said John Reiss, Head of White & Case’s Global M&A Practice. “They are both highly skilled, particularly in the energy sector where we expect to see continued activity in 2020 and the years ahead.”

Zhao and Choi’s practices focus on M&A and general corporate representations across the entire value chain in the energy sector. They both represent domestic and international companies, as well as private equity funds and their portfolio companies.

“Our primary focus in Houston has been to provide premier service to energy clients in this market, both domestically and globally,” said Jay Cuclis, White & Case’s Houston Office Executive Partner and Co-Head of the Firm’s Oil & Gas Industry Group. “In this context, Mingda and Emery are valued additions to our growing Houston office and will each play important roles in further broadening and strengthening our energy M&A capabilities.”

It has been two years since White & Case opened its Houston office in February 2018, which has rapidly grown to more than 40 lawyers, including the addition of six new partners in 2019.