Richard Jon Welch

February 2, 1952 - October 6, 2014 Richard Jon Welch of Los Angeles, California passed away on October 6, 2014 following a valiant battle with melanoma. Born in Kewanee, Illinois, son of the late Margaret Clegg Welch and R. Sheridan Welch, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Economics and Literature from Duke University in 1974, receiving his law degree from Stanford in 1977. Married since 2000 to former television newscaster Tawny Little, Welch most recently served as co-chairman of Bingham McCutchen's Corporate Area and managing partner of the firm's Los Angeles office, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and the representation of private equity funds and growth companies. Welch previously served as the managing partner of Riordan & McKinzie from 1992 until its merger with Bingham in July, 2003. Widely viewed as one of the top professionals in his field and a frequent guest speaker, he was the recipient of numerous awards and honors including Los Angeles Business Journal's "Top 100 Lawyers", "Most Influential M&A Advisors" and "Who's Who in Los Angeles Law;" California Law Business's "100 Most Influential Lawyers" as well as recognition from publications including Chambers Global, Chambers USA and Super Lawyers. Active in a host of philanthropic and civic organizations, he had served as Chair of The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, Board of Genesis L.A. Economic Development Corporation as well as on the Board of Directors of The Greater Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor's Special Advisory Committee on Fiscal Administration. Welch was also a member of the Board of Advisors of the Entrepreneurial Studies Center of The Anderson School at UCLA, Los Angeles Duke University Development Council and the Sons of the American Revolution. An avid Duke University basketball fan, Welch also had a love of architecture, contemporary art and photography, world travel with his family, friends and colleagues in tow and the always welcome game of golf with his sons. In addition to his wife, he is survived by son, Cole; step-sons Joseph John and Christian Corsini; sisters Sherry Welch of Pompano Beach, Florida and Anne E. Churchill of Kewanee, Illinois. A brother, Michael Clegg Welch, predeceased him. A Celebration of Life is planned and will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to support melanoma research under the direction of Dr. Antoni Ribas can be made to the Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation/UCLA; 8-950 Factor Bldg., Box 951780, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1780; (310)206-0675; www.cancer.ucla.edu/donate.