Norton Rose Fulbright announced on Thursday that it has expanded its business practice group by hiring veteran Dallas corporate finance partner Chip Gage.
With more than 30 years of experience representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, he joins Norton Rose after spending nearly nine years at Winston & Strawn.
“Chip’s extensive experience in the middle market is a significant value add for our firm,” said Jeff Cody, the firm’s Dallas-based U.S. Managing Partner and Global Co-Managing Partner, in a news release. “In addition to bringing highly valued legal proficiency, Chip’s entrepreneurial approach and collegial mindset matches our dedication to cultivating long-lasting relationships. His presence in Dallas creates fresh avenues to collaborate with local and national private equity players and reflects the firm’s momentum in attracting top-tier transactional talent.”
Gage was part of a rockstar lineup of partners that Bryan Goolsby and Tom Melsheimer recruited from other firms to build out Winston & Strawn’s new Dallas office in early 2017 that included Billie Ellis, Christina Tate, Tom Hughes, Steve Stodghill, Matt Orwig (now retired) and others.
Prior to joining Winston & Strawn, Gage spent nearly six years at Miller Egan and was a partner at Linklaters before that until December 2010.
In this latest move, Gage brings his extensive finance experience dealing with PE clients in the middle-market space to Norton Rose, helping to bolster the firm’s capabilities as demand for finance counsel increases.
“Chip’s specialized leveraged finance experience will elevate our capabilities in serving private equity sponsors and portfolio companies at the highest level,” Stephen Castro, the firm’s U.S. Head of Finance, said in the release. “As we begin to see a return to normalized M&A and financing activity, this is another strategic investment that ensures our finance practice has the talent in place to meet an increased demand.”
According to the Lawbook 50, Norton Rose Fulbright increased its Texas lawyer FTE headcount 3.4 percent last year to 401.9, ranking fourth in the state when measured by that metric. The firm’s Texas revenue increased 1 percent to $408.6 million in 2024, which also ranks fourth in the state.
“Norton Rose Fulbright’s collaborative culture, emphasis on growth and extensive global platform were major draws in my decision to join the firm,” said Gage in the release. “I am eager to contribute to the firm’s highly regarded business practice and find opportunities for even further growth of my practice.”
AREAS OF FOCUS
Gage specializes in leveraged buyout financings, acquisition financings, leveraged recapitalizations, working capital facilities, workouts, restructurings and advising on a variety of credit facilities, including senior secured, mezzanine and more.
EDUCATION
Undergraduate: Yale University (BA, 1990)
Law School: Duke University (JD, 1993)