Remembering Richard “Rich” Scudellari: A Life of Integrity, Faith, and Family in Saratoga and Beyond
Saratoga, CA — The Silicon Valley legal and athletic communities are mourning the loss of Richard “Rich” Scudellari, who passed away on September 23, 2025, surrounded by family. He was 68. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and Managing Partner at DLA Piper’s Silicon Valley office, Scudellari’s life bridged two worlds—sports and law—with the same trademark passion and discipline that defined his journey.
Born in Mineola, New York, in 1956, Rich grew up in a lively household in Hicksville and Greenlawn. From an early age, he displayed a rare mix of athletic talent and academic brilliance. At Boston College, he made his mark as a football standout and team captain, setting a still-unbroken record of 32 tackles in a single game against Texas in 1977. His leadership on and off the field earned him recognition as Boston College’s first National Football Foundation Scholar, a Rhodes Scholar candidate, and eventual induction into the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame.
After earning both his accounting degree and a law degree from Boston College Law School, Rich moved west, where fate—and family dinners—would introduce him to Carla Wall, who became his lifelong partner. Together, they built a 40-year marriage rooted in faith, humor, and deep devotion, raising four children and welcoming eight grandchildren, with another on the way.
Professionally, Scudellari became one of Silicon Valley’s most respected corporate and securities attorneys, guiding startups and global firms alike through high-stakes transactions during the tech boom. His colleagues recall him not only as a brilliant strategist but also as “a rare mentor who made complex deals feel human.”
“Rich was the kind of lawyer—and man—who never lost sight of people,” one longtime colleague shared. “He combined sharp intellect with genuine warmth, and that’s what made him indispensable in a world that often forgets both.”
Beyond his professional accomplishments, friends describe Rich as “the heartbeat of every family gathering”—the one who danced in the kitchen, coached local sports, and always found time to laugh. His faith remained central to his life, guiding both his career and his service to others.
His passing leaves a deep void across Boston College alumni circles, Silicon Valley’s legal community, and the Saratoga neighborhood he called home. Yet, as his loved ones note, his love and goodness remain an enduring gift to all who knew him.