David Castro, with Kirkland & Ellis

David Castro Jr., partner, Kirkland & Ellis

Experience:

• Kirkland & Ellis, 2014-present
• Baker Botts, 2009-2014

Education:

• University of Chicago Law School, 2009
• Duke University, 2006

What drew you to a career in law?

My dad is an attorney (practicing in the energy space) and I grew up hearing his stories. He's a litigator, so while we ultimately took different legal paths, he unquestionably influenced my decision to choose a career in law.

Have you set a specific goal that you want to achieve in the next year?

I'd like to continue to help grow the Firm's oil and gas asset group by building on our prior recruiting successes. I'm proud of the group that has been assembled, but I think there's room to grow and, in doing so, create even more value for our clients.

What has been your proudest career moment and your biggest hurdle?

My proudest career moment has been participating in the build out of the Houston office over the last four years. It has been gratifying to experience the growth and range of success across practice groups. The biggest challenge was leaving an established practice with Anthony Speier and ensuring that we delivered the best possible client service with an initial oil and gas team of only a handful of people.

Where do you fit on a 1-10 work-life balance scale with 10 being nirvana? Please explain.

It's all relative and I generally prefer being busy and active. My decision to remain busy has also underpinned many career opportunities. I'm fortunate to have a supportive wife (who is also a talented practicing lawyer) that understands both the demands of the profession and my own personal drive.

Numerically, I guess I would be somewhere in the 7 to 8 range. It's all about making the most of the free time you have, and having a supportive partner goes a very long way in that regard.

What is the top quality that you've used to succeed in the profession?

Commitment. I hope that my commitment to my clients and to the group and Firm translates through our collective work product and client service.

Who is your favorite mentor and why?

Kirkland partner Anthony Speier because of the opportunities he consistently provided when I was a junior attorney. I've worked with many excellent attorneys, many of whom share the view that empowering young lawyers is critically important, but Anthony and I have worked together the longest and his role has been the most impactful. At every stage of my development, he afforded meaningful opportunities to take a leading role in our work, whether it be taking responsibility for drafting documents or leading negotiations. That's how he was treated as a junior lawyer and that's the approach I try and take with young, talented lawyers.

What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Treat everyone as if they were a client and treat everyone with respect.

What trends are you observing in the profession that you're excited about?

The increased role of private equity in the energy space. It was a compelling reason to come to Kirkland in the first place. I really enjoy working with private equity clients because they tend to be some of the most creative minds, often challenging their counsel to problem solve and innovate alongside them. My colleagues and I have been fortunate to work on many of the most innovative oil and gas transactional structures because of our partnership with private equity clients.

What is the greatest challenge you see for the legal profession?

From a law firm perspective, I think it is providing meaningful opportunities for younger lawyers that keep them excited and motivated. In that respect, I think Kirkland does a great job. The Firm provides a plethora of opportunities to younger lawyers to assume significant responsibility and to be promoted on an accelerated timeframe because of their contributions.