Richard L. Wirthlin, a partner in the firm's Los Angeles office, is the former Managing Partner in our Moscow Office (1995 - 1999) and a member of the firm's Corporate Department. His practice involves a variety of international and domestic business transactions; with a particular expertise and focus on media, sports, entertainment, telecommunications, high tech and emerging technology matters.

Mr. Wirthlin's international practice has included representation of U.S., European, Latin American, Asian and multi-national clients (including RJR -Nabisco; Owens-Illinois; Kohlberg, Kravis and Roberts; Hughes Aircraft Company; Amazon.com and others) with respect to mergers, acquisitions, distribution, licensing, agency and other agreements, joint ventures and other transactional matters in dozens of countries throughout the world. Mr. Wirthlin speaks and writes fluent German and speaks conversational Russian.

Mr. Wirthlin's transactional practice has emphasized mergers, acquisitions, telecommunications and media/entertainment/sports matters. He served as outside general counsel to DIRECTV (a subsidiary of General Motors/Hughes Electronics) representing DIRECTV from its inception; concluding partnering agreements, acquiring media product (cable, pay-per-view, studio, sports, events, etc.) and creating the technical and other infrastructure required for the first direct broadcast satellite business in the United States. He currently advises other of clients with respect to other telecommunications and media opportunities, including DIRECTV Latin America.

Mr. Wirthlin is currently an Advisor Emeritus to the California Bar Association's International Law Section, where he served previously as its Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer. He has also contributed several articles to, and served as an editor for, the International Law Section's International Practitioner . Mr. Wirthlin has been active as a committee member with the International Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the American Bar Association's International Law Section.

Mr. Wirthlin has lectured at, and chaired, many international and transactional seminars and meetings. He has authored a variety of papers and articles in the areas of international business law and telecommunications law. Mr. Wirthlin is also a long-time member of the German American Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Wirthlin is also a member of the firm's Telecommunications Practice Group and International Practice Group, as well as Chair of the firm's Foreign Intern Committee, Vice Chair of the firm's Russian and Eastern European Practice Group and member of the firm's German Desk Committee.