Breaking the Ice: M&A lawyer works around the globe, clock

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When Chris Bellini isn’t traveling internationally, the Cozen O’Connor attorney likely is fielding calls and emails from around the globe as he handles mergers and acquisitions and private equity deals.

“I spend a significant amount of time traveling internationally,” Bellini said. “Part of it is working on transactions. The other part of it is networking with lawyers from around the globe to increase our referral opportunities.”

Jet lag can catch up with him, but the work is fun. “Every transaction is new,” Bellini said. “Every transaction is a different puzzle, so you’re trying to figure out how to put the pieces together from scratch.”

Bellini also is working to help expand Cozen O’Connor‘s Minneapolis location as its new co-vice chair office managing partner.

Named to the local leadership role in March, Bellini said the office’s biggest priority is to add to the 21 attorneys already there. Another goal is to add new tax, trusts and estates, financial and regulatory practice groups.

Name: Christopher J. Bellini

Title: Co-vice chair, office managing partner, Cozen O’Connor, Minneapolis

Education: B.A., economics, University of Minnesota; J.D., University of Minnesota Law School; LL.M., New York University School of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: Ask me a question about cars. I’ve been a car nut since I was a little kid. My dad worked for Ford Motor Co. for 20-plus years, and I’ve just always been interested in the industry and in cars in general.

Q: Why law school?

A: Speaking of my dad, I think I did it because of him. He had always wanted to be a lawyer and never did it. Even though I knew he was very proud of me, I knew that becoming a lawyer, would strengthen that pride, and that’s why I did it.

Q: What are you reading?

A: “Confessions” by St. Augustine, which was given to me this past Christmas by my daughter.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: When people fail to specify a time zone, when requesting a meeting or giving their availability, which is seems to be very common. People from the East Coast assume everybody’s on Eastern Time.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: Working with a wide variety of clients around the globe makes my job really interesting.

Q: Most challenging?

A: Working in multiple time zones at the same time. If I have transactions going on in Europe, the U.S. or Asia, you’ve got pretty much the whole 24-hour time period where you’re getting bombarded with emails and you’ve got to be available. I’ve constantly got the world clock up on my iPhone because I need to know what time it is in whatever jurisdiction I’m working in and know when to expect calls, emails and requests for my availability.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: Skiing, typically done with the whole family. I just love the pace of the vibe of mountain life.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: I moved around a lot growing up, so I don’t have a traditional hometown. I live in Wayzata, so I would say the No. 1 thing I would do is take somebody out on Lake Minnetonka on a boat ride.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: At my prior firm, I worked under Bob Rosenbaum from Dorsey Whitney. He still stands out as the one of the best transactional lawyers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. His knowledge, his temperament, his dedication to the craft is, in my opinion, without peer.

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: People think my international travel is glamorous, but it’s anything but glamorous. It’s interesting and exciting at times, but it’s a lot of hard work. The jet lag really gets to you, especially when you’re traveling and you’ve got to hit the ground running and go to meetings.  A lot of time in airports, a lot of time in airplanes.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: “A Few Good Men.” It’s a well-crafted story, great acting. I’m not a litigator, but it brings in the dynamics of litigation practice.