The firm is deeply saddened to share that longtime Wilson Sonsini employee and Chief Legal Officer Don Bradley passed away on January 13, 2024, following a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, our colleague Marianne Stark-Bradley; his children, Evan, Matt, and Andrea; and his grandchildren.

Don joined Wilson Sonsini as a partner in November 1984. He served as chair of the firm’s tax practice and specialized in the tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, investment funds, and related matters. He later became the firm’s first general counsel, and held that position until 2015, when he was elevated to Chief Legal Officer (CLO). As CLO, Don was responsible for advising the firm concerning ethical and other legal aspects of its practice and other related matters, including the functions of the Wilson Sonsini Foundation and the activities of the WS Investment Company.

Prior to joining the firm nearly 40 years ago, Don was a partner at Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro in San Francisco. He earned an A.B. from Dartmouth College in 1965 and his J.D. from the University of California College of the Law in 1968. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Don obtained an LL.M. in tax from New York University and entered private practice.

“I can’t overstate the impact that Don has had on my career, both in practice and leadership at the firm,” shared Managing Partner Doug Clark. “He was an essential mentor, advisor, and friend. If I was off course, he would tell me and I would listen. I learned so much from him about business, law, and how to be a better person and leader.”

Added Senior and Founding Partner Larry Sonsini, “Don Bradley personified every attribute that has made this firm so successful for many decades. His work and his life reflected every value embodied by our partnership. Don brought his best to the firm, and we all benefitted from it. He was a calm and confident presence when we needed it most. A finer person you could not find, a better friend you could not wish for. Our hearts break as we begin to remember him, and yet it is the dignity and goodwill he shared with us that we will always carry.”

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Don’s memory may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society—an organization that Don and Marianne have generously supported for more than 22 years—or any other charity near and dear to the donor’s heart.

The firm will honor Don’s life, career, and legacy at Wilson Sonsini in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we will keep his loved ones and friends in our thoughts.

To learn more about Don’s life and career, please see his obituary.