Randall C. Bassett retired from the partnership in December 2002. Mr. Bassett also practiced in the firm's New York office from its opening in 1985 until mid-1989.
His practice centered on corporate acquisitions and dispositions and corporate finance, and while his experience in the area is broad, he had particular expertise in LBO financing of hostile and friendly takeovers as well as general acquisition and disposition financing. He also structured subordinated debt financing and advised clients on intercreditor and fraudulent conveyance issues. His clients included both public and private companies. Mr. Bassett handled numerous multi-billion dollar transactions.
Prior to rejoining the Corporate Department in 1997, Mr. Bassett was a member of the Finance and Real Estate Department and served as its Chairman from 1992-1996. His primary client for a number of years was the merchant banking firm of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR), whom he represented in its acquisitions of Union Texas Petroleum, Storer Communications, Inc., Beatrice Companies, Inc., RJR Nabisco, Inc., American Re-Insurance Company and Flagstar Corporation (formerly TW Services) and in the financing of its acquisitions of Reliance Comm/Tec., Merit Behavioral Care Corporation, Accuride Corporation and Alliance Imaging, Inc. He represented Storer Communications in the sale of its broadcast and cable businesses and represented The Stop & Shop Companies, Inc. in its disposition of Bradlees, Inc. through an initial public offering. In addition, he has represented KKR in all of its institutional leveraged buyout funds, commencing in 1982.
At the time of his retirement, Mr. Bassett was a member of both the California and New York State Bar Associations. He joined Latham & Watkins in 1969. From 1988-1992, Mr. Bassett served as an elected member of the firm's five person Executive Committee.