Thelen's chairman from 1992 until 1993, Richard Gary -- now a legal consultant with Gary Advisors in Tiburon, Calif. -- spoke with Legal Times about his former firm's dissolution, set to occur on Dec. 1.
"I have been gone for more than five years, but I was there for more than 30 and it still saddens me greatly," Gary said.
Gary says he believes the partners at the firm "will be fine" but feels for the staff and associates.
"There were a number of constituencies that were dependent on Thelen -- not just clients. It's a very sad day."
When asked his thoughts about reports of Thelen's current chairman Stephen O'Neal talking with other firms, including Washington's Howrey, Gary says O'Neal "is a very fine lawyer" but added "it doesn't speak very well of a chairman who would do that."
"Most of the strong law firm leaders would not have engaged in that type of behavior," Gary said. "With law firm leadership comes responsibility to the organization you are elected to serve. Now, it's not a legal responsibility, but it's just a moral and ethical issue."
Gary says he is not currently working with any Thelen lawyers.
Comments