EVENT REGISTRATION
March 2026 Luncheon
"A&D and Alternative Transaction Trends"
Friday, 3/20/2026 11:30 AM
Brennan's Houston
Mingda Zhao
Partner, M&A - Houston
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Mingda Zhao has broad experience advising clients on a wide range of matters within the
energy and infrastructure space. In addition, he has an extensive background counseling on
acquisitions and divestitures (A&D), drilling and other joint ventures. Mr. Zhao has a deep
understanding of the unique issues that arise within the oil and gas sector, including how
titles are handled across various jurisdictions and the structuring of operating agreements,
and clients frequently turn to him to tackle some of their most complex matters in these areas.
Additionally, Mr. Zhao counsels U.S. and international companies across a variety of
industries, as well as private equity funds and their portfolio companies, on a variety
of corporate matters, including mergers, acquisitions, private equity investments, joint
ventures, energy and cross-border transactions (including with regard to relevant CFIUS
and national security issues), and structured and alternative investments. He also advises
on marketing and operational arrangements, such as joint operating agreements.
In recognition of his work, Mr. Zhao has been selected for inclusion in Chambers Global and
Chambers USA in its Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) category and The Best Lawyers in
America for Energy Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. He has also been named one of
Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Dealmakers in America.
Before joining Skadden, Mr. Zhao was a partner at another global law firm, where he
advised on numerous high-profile transactions in the energy industry
energy and infrastructure space. In addition, he has an extensive background counseling on
acquisitions and divestitures (A&D), drilling and other joint ventures. Mr. Zhao has a deep
understanding of the unique issues that arise within the oil and gas sector, including how
titles are handled across various jurisdictions and the structuring of operating agreements,
and clients frequently turn to him to tackle some of their most complex matters in these areas.
Additionally, Mr. Zhao counsels U.S. and international companies across a variety of
industries, as well as private equity funds and their portfolio companies, on a variety
of corporate matters, including mergers, acquisitions, private equity investments, joint
ventures, energy and cross-border transactions (including with regard to relevant CFIUS
and national security issues), and structured and alternative investments. He also advises
on marketing and operational arrangements, such as joint operating agreements.
In recognition of his work, Mr. Zhao has been selected for inclusion in Chambers Global and
Chambers USA in its Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) category and The Best Lawyers in
America for Energy Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. He has also been named one of
Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Dealmakers in America.
Before joining Skadden, Mr. Zhao was a partner at another global law firm, where he
advised on numerous high-profile transactions in the energy industry