R. Bruce McLean, longtime chairman and leader of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, died on Thursday. He was 77.

McLean joined Akin in 1973, quickly establishing himself as a leading litigator, handling disputes between companies and the federal government, including securing a multibillion-dollar settlement for the U.S. refining industry in in Re: Department of Energy Stripper Well Litigation.