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Elizabeth Daane is a co-founder of Unified Law and the firm’s most seasoned legal strategist, offering deep insight and guidance on the matters that matter most. With over 25 years of General Counsel experience in M&A, corporate governance, compliance, and finance, she brings depth, judgment, and steady leadership to clients navigating high-stakes legal decisions.
She was also the General Counsel to Unified Law’s co-founder and CEO, Amy Natasha Osteen, during their time together at ORIX Corporation USA—a testament to Elizabeth’s ability to build high-performing teams and develop future legal leaders. Their shared experience navigating complex deals and regulatory challenges laid the foundation for Unified Law’s collaborative, business-first, impact-driven model—where law, business, and purpose unite.
Core Areas of Focus
M&A Diligence & Deal Strategy - Elizabeth leads Unified Law’s most complex M&A and transaction readiness work, ensuring diligence teams know what to ask for, what to flag, and how to improve outcomes. She’s supported billions in buy-side and sell-side deals and brings post-close insight that helps clients accelerate success after the ink dries.
Corporate Governance & Board Counsel - As the first woman to serve as General Counsel and EVP at ORIX USA—and a former board member of ORIX subsidiaries, including Houlihan Lokey—Elizabeth brings firsthand experience to clients building effective boards and scalable governance systems.
Regulatory Compliance & Financial Services - During her long and influential tenure at ORIX—spanning both her decade as General Counsel and her subsequent years as a senior C-suite advisor—Elizabeth built the company’s first compliance program and helped navigate evolving global regulations across financial services, asset management, investment banking, and lending.
Capital Raise & Exit Readiness - Elizabeth helps founder-led companies and PE-backed businesses get their house in order ahead of a raise or sale. She focuses on streamlining contracts, cleaning up equity, and preparing governance for the next stage of growth.
Career Highlights
ORIX Corporation USA - General Counsel & Executive Vice President, then C-Suite Advisor
Elizabeth spent more than 15 years shaping the legal and strategic direction of ORIX’s U.S. operations—first as its General Counsel and EVP, and later as a trusted advisor to the executive team and legal department. She led legal strategy for:
The $500 million acquisition of Houlihan Lokey- The acquisition of Robeco Group, a Europe-based asset manager with over $300B AUM
The acquisitions of Mariner Investment Group and NXT Capital, strengthening ORIX’s middle-market lending and asset management capabilities
The acquisition of Red Capital Group, a multifamily mortgage loan servicer and Fannie Mae multifamily originator
She also created ORIX’s first enterprise compliance program and chaired the ORIX Foundation, ORIX USA’s unique employee-led nonprofit, which granted more than $10 million to nonprofits nationwide.
Internet America – General Counsel
Elizabeth served as General Counsel of Internet America, a pioneering internet service provider that played a significant role in the early expansion of internet access across Texas and the surrounding regions. During her tenure, she helped lead the company through a successful IPO and oversaw a series of strategic acquisitions—helping establish Internet America as a formidable player during the early dot-com era. In addition to legal strategy, she managed HR, investor relations, and public affairs during this high-growth, high-stakes chapter in tech history.
Jackson Walker LLP – Associate, Corporate & Bankruptcy
Elizabeth began her legal career at one of Texas’s top law firms, supporting clients through complex restructurings and corporate transactions.
Bar Admissions
State Bar of Texas
Education
J.D., with Honors, University of North Carolina School of Law
B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Wake Forest University (Carswell Scholar)
Beyond the Bar
Proud mom of two sons and a daughter—one working in Washington, D.C., one studying in Chicago, and one chasing squirrels, begging for treats, and snoring
Lives with more guitars than legal pads—married to Mike Daane, legendary bassist for the Andy Timmons Band and unofficial in-house soundtrack provider
