RICK WELCH, 59
FIRM: Bingham McCutchen
LAW SCHOOL: Stanford
SELECTED CLIENTS: Freeman Spogli & Co., Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, Riordan Lewis & Haden, Kayne Anderson Private Investors, Vintage Capital Group LLC, Del Monte Corp., Simmons Foods
YEARS IN PRACTICE: 32
Biggest Deal: Representation of the Special Committee of Guitar Center in Guitar Center’s $2.1 billion acquisition by Bain Capital.
Most Difficult Deal: Many years ago, my largest client wanted to do things that they should not have wanted to do and could not legally do. I didn’t let them and I got fired over it. History later proved me right.
Best Career Moment: Having helped create a very fine firm called Riordan & McKinzie, with great lawyers and a great culture, and successfully combining it with Bingham McCutchen – a very fine firm in its own right.
Worst: When deals die for no apparent business or legal reason – it doesn’t happen very often, but it does happen. It’s an empty feeling.
Highlight of Past Year: Our work on a number of fronts, especially representing two clients in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, has been outstanding.
If I Weren’t an Attorney: I would be an architect.