In Gratitude for Ricky Mason’s and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz’s contribution to the success of the BSA’s Chapter 11 case

IRVING, TX – June 5, 2023 – The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is pleased to recognize the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and its partner Ricky Mason, a Distinguished Eagle Scout, for their dedication and commitment to Scouting and the millions of youths served now and in the future.

At the BSA’s request, Ricky initiated and chaired the Ad Hoc Committee of Local Councils, which acted in the BSA bankruptcy for the nearly 250 independent Local Councils that deliver Scouting across the United States. Under Ricky’s leadership, the Ad Hoc Committee was central to the creation of an historic $2.5 billion settlement fund and the fulfillment of the BSA’s goal: to compensate abuse survivors equitably and ensure the Scouting mission will continue.

In recognition of Ricky’s and Wachtell Lipton’s pro bono service, the BSA will name a central gathering spot at Philmont Scout Ranch’s base camp after Ricky.

The Richard G. Mason Fire Ring will be a place of rest, fellowship and joviality for the thousands of Scouts and Scouters who, every year, traverse Philmont’s more than 200 square miles of mountains, pastures, streams and deserts in the New Mexico Rockies.

“We are grateful to Ricky and his team of excellent lawyers at Wachtell, Lipton for the innumerable hours that they dedicated to this cause,” said Brad Tilden, National Chair of the BSA. “Ricky gathered Local Councils and their tens of thousands of board members and volunteers behind a settlement where everyone had to say yes, which is why we are thrilled to name such a central gathering spot at our cherished Philmont in his honor.”

“I was honored and humbled to lead such a great team in my Firm and the Ad Hoc Committee, and to work with Local Councils across America on this existential project. And I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition at Philmont, which I hiked as a 14-year-old many decades ago,” said Mason.

“The BSA case was the most challenging and rewarding of my career,” said Mason. “To finish it successfully, with the largest settlement fund of its kind in US history, unanimously approved by Local Councils and overwhelmingly supported by tens of thousands of survivors, puts me almost beyond words.”

About the Philmont Scout Ranch

Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America’s premier High Adventure™ base, challenges Scouts and Venturers with more than 214 square miles of rugged northern New Mexico wilderness. Backpacking treks, horseback cavalcades, and training and service programs offer young people many ways to experience this legendary country.

 About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of more than 1 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and approximately 460,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.Scouting.org.

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