Bio

Brian Richards is a partner in the Private Equity and M&A practices at Paul Hastings and is the Chair of the Firm's Global Private Equity Practice. Brian has over 25 years of experience leading complex transactions, including leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions and growth equity investments, in a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, distribution and services. Brian is one of only three Band 1 practitioners in Private Equity in Chicago according to Chambers USA 2019, and for over a decade has been recognized as a leading private equity attorney by a number of legal publications including Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Illinois Super Lawyers. The volume and breadth of Brian's experience is relatively unmatched in the middle market. According to Chambers USA: "Brian Richards is a private equity expert. One client says: 'He immediately gains the respect of everyone in the process due to his insight, ability to grasp detailed business issues and good bedside manner.'" "He knows every aspect of a deal," according to one peer, who adds that "he's very personable and cuts through issues very fast." Brian is "very commercial and practical," and is praised by peers as "a fantastic lawyer to work opposite." Brian is actively involved in charitable organizations which provide educational opportunities and hope to low-income children in Chicago, including Holy Trinity High School and The Big Shoulders Fund. Brian is also a frequent speaker regarding private equity and mergers and acquisitions and has served as a guest lecturer at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business and has spoken at Northwestern University Law School, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and events hosted by numerous private organizations.