Business Journal makes its case for L.A.’s top lawyers who shepherd the biggest M&A deals.

SAMANTHA GOOD, 39

FIRM: Kirkland & Ellis LLP

LAW SCHOOL: University of California, Hastings College of the Law

SELECTED CLIENTS: Golden Gate Capital, Oaktree Capital, Gryphon Partners, Huntsman Gay

YEARS IN PRACTICE: 14

Most Difficult Deal: The lawyer and business person on the other side were belligerent to use the kindest adjective. At one stage of the negotiation, after about three straight days of work without sleep, the business person on the other side pointed his finger in my face, mouth frothing with saliva and shouted, “You don’t know what it’s like to be in the trenches!” I just stood up walked out and slammed the door. So many teachable moments come out of that interaction: (a) partners should stand up for their associates so that counterparties don’t stick fingers in their associates’ faces, (b) how to hold your cool, and (c) find a client that doesn’t tolerate those kinds of negotiations.

Worst Career Moment: When I was a midlevel associate, I was thrown into the middle of a deal and sent to New York to get it closed. I worked for several days and nights at a New York law firm’s office to handle this matter. I developed a pretty friendly relationship with folks. By the end, we were totally exhausted and my part was complete. I left to go to sleep in the hotel. At about 4 a.m., my phone rang and it was the partner from the New York law firm shouting that the deal had been derailed and I needed to return to the office to handle key legal opinion issues that were my responsibility. I totally freaked out. Then I heard laughter in the background and glasses clinking. The deal had closed. I suppose it is funny now. At the time it really wasn’t.

If I Weren’t an Attorney: I would hike the Pacific Crest Trail, write children’s stories, own my own bakery/spin studio, negotiate deals for the Nature Conservancy … so many possibilities.

My Colleagues Don’t Know: My passion is storytelling. I have been creating and telling my son stories since he was born. I tell my 4½-year-old son, Jack, a story almost every day. We have built a whole collection of characters and storylines, some have pirates or aliens and others are just about ordinary kids finding magic in the world.