DALLAS—April 16, 2026—O’Melveny announced today that two respected Texas-based transactional lawyers—Ryan Gorsche and Katie Legband O’Brien—have joined the firm’s Dallas office as partners in the Mergers & Acquisitions Practice and Private Equity Group, expanding the firm’s formidable international roster of talented corporate practitioners and further bolstering its capabilities in the Lone Star State.
Recognized leaders in corporate M&A and private equity, Gorsche and O’Brien bring nearly 30 combined years of experience to O’Melveny. Their work spans a vast array of industries that align with O’Melveny’s strengths, including the energy, technology, transportation, media, and health care sectors.
Gorsche and O’Brien come to O’Melveny from the Dallas office of BakerHostetler, where they practiced together in that firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, and Venture Capital Practices. Their arrival continues O’Melveny’s rapid expansion in Texas. They are the third and fourth lateral Texas partners to join the firm in just the past two months. And since 2021, O’Melveny has added more than 90 lawyers—including 34 partners—across its offices in Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Ryan and Katie to our fast-growing Dallas office and to our outstanding M&A team,” said O’Melveny chair Bradley J. Butwin. “Many of our clients have a significant presence in Texas, and the need for sophisticated advisers of Ryan’s and Katie’s caliber continues to rise. Their dynamic skillset and extensive experience leading complex deals will immediately benefit our clients. We are delighted to welcome Ryan and Katie to our firm.”
“We’re excited by this incredible opportunity to work alongside O’Melveny’s talented team of M&A lawyers, and to provide our clients with the firm’s signature service,” said Gorsche. “O’Melveny’s expansive global platform was a huge draw for us, and its genuine, collaborative culture sealed our decision. We’re confident that O’Melveny will be a perfect fit for our clients and our practice.”
“We were also drawn to O’Melveny’s proven commitment to Texas,” added O’Brien. “In just a few short years, the firm has established deep Texas roots and has constructed one of the state’s most highly rated legal teams. We’re thrilled to make O’Melveny’s Dallas office our professional ‘home.’”
The addition of Gorsche and O’Brien further propels O’Melveny’s continued strategic growth. With their arrival, 50 lateral partners have joined O’Melveny since 2023, including 31 corporate partners.
About the Partners
Ryan Gorsche is recognized among the leading corporate dealmakers in Texas. He represents private and public companies, as well as private equity sponsors, in a broad spectrum of complex domestic and cross-border transactions, including buy-side and sell-side acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, divestitures, corporate restructurings, and venture capital financings. Earlier in his career, he served as in-house counsel for a multibillion-dollar hedge and private investment fund.
Gorsche earned his J.D. from the University of Texas Law School, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and articles editor for the Texas Law Review. He earned his B.A. from Dartmouth College.
Katie O’Brien is an accomplished dealmaker and trusted adviser who guides clients through M&A transactions, dispositions, and other corporate matters. She represents a wide range of corporate entities—both privately and publicly owned. She also advises various market-leading private equity sponsors. Before entering private practice, she served as a judicial intern for the Supreme Court of Texas.
O’Brien earned her J.D. from the University of Texas Law School, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and associate editor for the Texas Law Review. She earned her B.A. magna cum laude from Southern Methodist University.
