NEW YORK – April 3, 2012 – Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP congratulates partner John C. Ale on his appointment as vice president and general counsel of our long-time client Occidental Petroleum Corporation, succeeding Donald P. de Brier, who is becoming corporate executive vice president.
Mr. Ale, who joined Skadden in 2002, has led our Houston office since 2005. He is a member of our global energy and infrastructure projects practice and is one of nine partners from that practice ranked in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. He has represented Occidental on several transactions.
Charles W. Schwartz, head of the litigation practice in our Houston office, will take over as office leader. Mr. Schwartz, who also is ranked in Chambers USA, handles virtually all aspects of business litigation. He focuses on representing companies and their officers and directors in merger and acquisition litigation and contests for corporate control, particularly in the energy sector. He also represents clients in corporate governance disputes, class and derivative actions involving fiduciary duty issues, and federal securities and antitrust law claims.
"We thank John for his significant contributions to the firm and look forward to working with him as a client," said Executive Partner Eric J. Friedman. "Our Houston office will be in great hands under Charles' leadership."
Skadden's Houston office, opened in 1993, primarily serves clients in the energy, financial and petrochemical industries in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and other commercial transactions, as well as all types of litigation and investigations.