Welcome to ILN-terviews, a series of profiles of ILN member firm attorneys, designed to give a unique insight into the lawyers who make up our Network. For our latest interview, we chose ILN member, David Conway of our member firm Connolly Gallagher LLP in Delaware, USA.
In one sentence, how would you describe your practice?
I close M&A deals, negotiate commercial agreements and provide Delaware law advice for local, national and international companies.
Who would be your typical client?
My clients are of two main varieties. One being small local companies, to whom I provide soup to nuts services as an outside general counsel. The other being national and international companies who are formed (or have subsidiaries) in Delaware, to whom I provide advice on Delaware law issues and structure corporate transactions such as reorganizations, mergers and sales of assets.
What would you like clients and potential clients to know about you?
I was a finance major in school, and am a former in-house general counsel. So I bring a practical business perspective to negotiations that some law firm lawyers are lacking.
What has been your most challenging case? Why?
A few years back, I negotiated and coordinated a client’s simultaneous purchases of a public company and a separate private company. It was like herding really complicated cats.
What has been your proudest moment as a lawyer?
At any given time, my proudest moment is the closing of my then-most-recent M&A deal, and the smile on my client’s face when the long-awaited payday arrives.
What do you do when you’re not practicing law?
I have a 4 year-old son. So I’ve had to cut back on my past hiking adventures like the Inca Trail. But sometimes keeping up with my son seems harder than I remember the Inca Trail being.
What would surprise people most about you?
My wife is Persian, my son speaks Farsi fluently, and one of my favorite trips was to Iran.
What has been your most memorable ILN experience?
Our firm is new to ILN, so there aren’t a lot of experiences to choose from. I did enjoy contributing to the U.S. chapter of ILN’s publication “Establishing a Business Entity: An International Guide”.
What career would you have chosen if you weren’t a lawyer?
My mom isn’t too fond of lawyers, and encouraged me to be a stand-up comic instead of going to law school. So maybe that.
If a movie were made of your life, who would you want to play you?
Idris Elba. He is a really good actor. I think he could pull it off.
How would you like to be remembered?
Fondly, and with a smile.