Partner At Top Biglaw Firm Reportedly Dies By Suicide

We have some tragic news to report from China, where an accomplished Biglaw partner is suspected to have died by suicide.

According to Law.com International, Brian Schwarzwalder, 54, a corporate partner in Gibson Dunn’s Hong Kong office, reportedly took his own life earlier this week. As noted by the South China Morning Post, police have classified as the death as “person fallen from a height.” Law.com has additional information on his untimely death:

Schwarzwalder’s body was reportedly found in the early hours of August 5, 2025, during a severe rainstorm on Kennedy Road in the Mid-Levels—an affluent residential area in the city. He was certified dead by paramedics at the scene, the reports said.

His body was identified by his domestic helper, following which a suicide note was also found, local reports said.

A memoriam passage on Schwarzwalder’s firm bio now reads as follows: “Brian was a beloved member of the Gibson Dunn community. At this difficult time, our thoughts are with his family, as well as with the many colleagues who worked with Brian over the years. He will be greatly missed.”

If you or someone you know is depressed and in need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) or a lawyer assistance program in your state (don’t be fooled by the name; these programs also provide services to law students). Remember that you are loved, so please reach out if you need assistance.

We here at Above the Law extend our condolences to Brian Schwarzwalder’s family, friends, and colleagues during this extremely challenging time.

Gibson Dunn Hong Kong Corporate Partner Dies in Suspected Suicide [Law.com International]

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Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.