Nonetheless, Goldman insisted that Sullivan's John Mead he present for the negotiations. This set up an interesting dynamic. While Milmoe, the pleasant-mannered Skadden partner, had to mediate for the entire consortium, Mead negotiated strictly for Goldman. A graying, forty-six-year-old litigator, Mead had a soft oval face and double chin that masked a brutally tough style. Right from the start he took a hard line, pushing Milmoe to make sure that the contract restricted the Long-Term partners as much as possible and otherwise protected the consortium's interests.