Washington, D.C.
His clients are investigated and prosecuted by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Treasury Department and other domestic and foreign enforcement agencies. They face prosecution for potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and the laws regulating securities enforcement, accounting fraud, public corruption, antitrust, tax health care, export control, False Claims Act (FCA), trade secrets and the environment. In addition, his clients are often involved in high-stakes shareholder class action litigation. He has had primary trial responsibility in more than 50 cases.
David is a recognized leader in the field of white collar and complex litigation. He is a Fellow in The American College of Trial Lawyers. Chambers USA has ranked him as a leading Litigation lawyer (2006-2022), and described him as "one of the best trial lawyers in the city … a genuine lion of the white-collar Bar ... extremely thoughtful and imaginative in developing investigation and trial strategy … He really knows his way around the court and the justice system. One of his greatest strengths is that he is unflinching in his willingness to try cases." Chambers also noted his FCPA work: “He is a shrewd tactician and always thoroughly prepared … great tactical judgment and a sense for strategy." Other accolades include: Legal 500 (2012, 2015-2022), which recognized him as the leader of Buckley’s "terrific" team that is “highly active in a number of regulated industries, with noted expertise in the financial services sector." Benchmark Litigation 2019 named him as a top practitioner in White Collar and General Commercial Litigation. In 2015 he was named a Law360 Trial Ace and a National Law Journal White Collar Trailblazer.
Prior to joining Orrick, David was a partner at Buckley LLP. In addition to his experience in private practice, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia for 10 years.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Silicon Valley
Lynne led the trial team that obtained a complete defense verdict for Kleiner Perkins in Pao v. Kleiner Perkins, the high-stakes gender discrimination and retaliation case that garnered intense international media scrutiny. In naming Lynne “Litigator of the Week” for this victory, American Lawyer described her effective voir dire and how she “steadily poked holes in Pao’s testimony.” The Recorder called Lynne’s cross-examination “masterful” and Bloomberg reported that her “charismatic, intimidating oratory made her the trial’s breakout star.”
Following Pao, Lynne secured a complete defense verdict for SpaceX in an $8 million gender discrimination and retaliation suit. The Daily Journal called the outcome “another triumph for Hermle,” observing that her “string of successes for tech clients fighting off gender harassment and discrimination claims got longer.” The publication also pronounced Lynne to be “arguably the most feared employment defense attorney in California.” Eight months later she followed that up with another jury defense verdict for SpaceX in a wrongful discharge and retaliation case.
Lynne has significant experience successfully defending complex discrimination and wage-and-hour class actions for global leaders in the retail and technology sectors including Microsoft, X (formerly Twitter), The Gap, Genentech, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory, Gymboree, Spencer’s Gifts, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn Kids, among many others.
In recognition of these successes and her high-profile career trial work, Lynne was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2017. She is a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and many other trial related organizations.
Silicon Valley
Lynne led the trial team that obtained a complete defense verdict for Kleiner Perkins in Pao v. Kleiner Perkins, the high-stakes gender discrimination and retaliation case that garnered intense international media scrutiny. In naming Lynne “Litigator of the Week” for this victory, American Lawyer described her effective voir dire and how she “steadily poked holes in Pao’s testimony.” The Recorder called Lynne’s cross-examination “masterful” and Bloomberg reported that her “charismatic, intimidating oratory made her the trial’s breakout star.”
Following Pao, Lynne secured a complete defense verdict for SpaceX in an $8 million gender discrimination and retaliation suit. The Daily Journal called the outcome “another triumph for Hermle,” observing that her “string of successes for tech clients fighting off gender harassment and discrimination claims got longer.” The publication also pronounced Lynne to be “arguably the most feared employment defense attorney in California.” Eight months later she followed that up with another jury defense verdict for SpaceX in a wrongful discharge and retaliation case.
Lynne has significant experience successfully defending complex discrimination and wage-and-hour class actions for global leaders in the retail and technology sectors including Microsoft, X (formerly Twitter), The Gap, Genentech, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory, Gymboree, Spencer’s Gifts, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn Kids, among many others.
In recognition of these successes and her high-profile career trial work, Lynne was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2017. She is a fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and many other trial related organizations.
Houston
As global demand for energy continues to rise and governments, investors and consumers continue to support the decarbonization of the energy industry, Joe has developed a particular focus on advising large multinational energy companies on energy transition issues, including in connection with investment in hydrogen, ammonia, carbon capture and storage, and renewable energy projects and innovations in conventional energy. Joe is a key member of Orrick’s energy transition practice, which was recognized as Band 1 in Energy Transition by Chambers USA (2023-2025).
Joe is recognized by Chambers Global (2023-2025), Chambers USA (2021-2025), The Legal 500 (2018-2025) and Super Lawyers - Rising Stars (2014-2021) for his work on energy transactions. Clients describe him in Chambers as “very responsive, knowledgeable, easy to work with and business-minded” and a “capable and thoughtful transaction leader with a commercial mindset.”
Houston
As global demand for energy continues to rise and governments, investors and consumers continue to support the decarbonization of the energy industry, Joe has developed a particular focus on advising large multinational energy companies on energy transition issues, including in connection with investment in hydrogen, ammonia, carbon capture and storage, and renewable energy projects and innovations in conventional energy. Joe is a key member of Orrick’s energy transition practice, which was recognized as Band 1 in Energy Transition by Chambers USA (2023-2025).
Joe is recognized by Chambers Global (2023-2025), Chambers USA (2021-2025), The Legal 500 (2018-2025) and Super Lawyers - Rising Stars (2014-2021) for his work on energy transactions. Clients describe him in Chambers as “very responsive, knowledgeable, easy to work with and business-minded” and a “capable and thoughtful transaction leader with a commercial mindset.”
Paris
For over 30 years, Christophe has advised public and private operators, government bodies, contractors and financial institutions on the construction and financing of major telecoms, energy (solar, renewable energy, biomass, etc.) and infrastructure (road, rail, port and airport, nuclear, etc.) projects in Europe, Africa and elsewhere.
In the Telecom sector, Christophe has advised Marguerite Adviser on multiple French delegations de service public (concession arrangements), in Alsace, Grand Est and the Haute Loire regions and Cellnex Telecom on most of their fiber and tower investments in France, Italy, Switzerland and Poland for a total amount of circa 10bn€
He is ranked as one of the top lawyers in international projects and energy by Chambers Global 2024, as well as in the Africa Business Top 100 Legal Powerlist of the most influential lawyers in French-speaking Africa (2023).
Prior to joining Orrick, Christophe worked for a leading law firm in Paris, and was previously General Counsel of Bouygues Travaux Publics and International Legal Manager for Veolia Environnement (CGEA) for many years.
Paris
For over 30 years, Christophe has advised public and private operators, government bodies, contractors and financial institutions on the construction and financing of major telecoms, energy (solar, renewable energy, biomass, etc.) and infrastructure (road, rail, port and airport, nuclear, etc.) projects in Europe, Africa and elsewhere.
In the Telecom sector, Christophe has advised Marguerite Adviser on multiple French delegations de service public (concession arrangements), in Alsace, Grand Est and the Haute Loire regions and Cellnex Telecom on most of their fiber and tower investments in France, Italy, Switzerland and Poland for a total amount of circa 10bn€
He is ranked as one of the top lawyers in international projects and energy by Chambers Global 2024, as well as in the Africa Business Top 100 Legal Powerlist of the most influential lawyers in French-speaking Africa (2023).
Prior to joining Orrick, Christophe worked for a leading law firm in Paris, and was previously General Counsel of Bouygues Travaux Publics and International Legal Manager for Veolia Environnement (CGEA) for many years.
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Ellen has spent more than twenty years in the tech and venture ecosystem and leverages her broad network and deep understanding of both the tech sector and legal landscape to effectively and strategically advise emerging companies and investors on a wide range of critical needs.
On the company side, Ellen’s clients range from early startups to mature private companies. She advises companies and founders on formation, venture financings, governance, M&A transactions, corporate and securities matters, commercial transactions and litigation strategy. Ellen’s approach is holistic and pragmatic. Her unique skill set and business-driven approach derive from her decades-long career as a Silicon Valley lawyer and her broad experiences earlier in her career as both a successful litigator and business owner.
Over her career, Ellen has represented both private and public companies and has worked with both small startups and large multinational enterprises, as well as the executives, investors and advisors involved in those businesses. As a result, Ellen draws upon a deep knowledge base and set of experiences and insights that allow her to offer practical and seasoned advice to her clients. Ellen also works closely with some of the leading venture capital and growth equity firms, whose principals she advises in connection with financings, equity structuring and corporate governance. Ellen’s company clients have represented a broad swath of the technology ecosystem, including both hardware and software, and, as a result, her industry experience is wide-ranging. Her clients have included companies in the semiconductor, SAAS, renewables, fintech, aerospace, digital retail, online sharing, biotech/biopharma, media, design and data analytics fields, among others. Ellen has a passion for working with companies making an impact in the world.
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Ellen has spent more than twenty years in the tech and venture ecosystem and leverages her broad network and deep understanding of both the tech sector and legal landscape to effectively and strategically advise emerging companies and investors on a wide range of critical needs.
On the company side, Ellen’s clients range from early startups to mature private companies. She advises companies and founders on formation, venture financings, governance, M&A transactions, corporate and securities matters, commercial transactions and litigation strategy. Ellen’s approach is holistic and pragmatic. Her unique skill set and business-driven approach derive from her decades-long career as a Silicon Valley lawyer and her broad experiences earlier in her career as both a successful litigator and business owner.
Over her career, Ellen has represented both private and public companies and has worked with both small startups and large multinational enterprises, as well as the executives, investors and advisors involved in those businesses. As a result, Ellen draws upon a deep knowledge base and set of experiences and insights that allow her to offer practical and seasoned advice to her clients. Ellen also works closely with some of the leading venture capital and growth equity firms, whose principals she advises in connection with financings, equity structuring and corporate governance. Ellen’s company clients have represented a broad swath of the technology ecosystem, including both hardware and software, and, as a result, her industry experience is wide-ranging. Her clients have included companies in the semiconductor, SAAS, renewables, fintech, aerospace, digital retail, online sharing, biotech/biopharma, media, design and data analytics fields, among others. Ellen has a passion for working with companies making an impact in the world.
San Francisco
San Francisco
Patrick Ferguson brings two decades of experience guiding clients through the development, financing, acquisition, and sale of some of the most innovative energy projects in the United States. His practice spans a wide range of technologies—including solar, wind, geothermal, energy storage, and natural gas peaking and combined-cycle plants—and he is recognized for his ability to navigate complex regulatory, commercial, and transactional challenges.
Patrick advises project sponsors at every stage of the development lifecycle. His work includes negotiating power purchase and long-term offtake agreements, physical and financial swaps, interconnection and engineering arrangements, operations and maintenance agreements, and management services agreements. He has led the negotiation of many gigawatts of energy storage tolling and capacity agreements with utilities as well as commercial and industrial offtakers, and regularly counsels major power companies on energy and capacity sales under WSPP, EEI, and ISDA contracting frameworks.
Patrick also plays a leading role in the rapidly expanding data center sector. He represents power producers and data center companies in the development of hyperscale facilities across the country, advising on power sleeving arrangements with utilities and behind-the-meter energy solutions. He is the editor of Megawatts to Megabytes: Orrick’s 2025 Guide to Developing, Financing & Powering Data Centers, the firm’s definitive publication on data center infrastructure and energy strategy.
A recognized authority in energy regulation, Patrick has been at the forefront of many of the industry’s most significant and groundbreaking projects. Clients recommend him in Chambers USA for his “expert regulatory and commercial advice” and his “experience across a range of assets including solar and geothermal power plants and transmission lines.” He is ranked as a market leader by Chambers USA, Legal 500 USA, and Best Lawyers.