Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP > Los Angeles, United States > Firm Profile

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP represents prominent global financial services companies in matters pertaining to securities, contract, bankruptcy, antitrust, and government and internal investigations. It has a deep bench of attorneys who are regularly involved in high-stakes and high-profile cases, as well as emerging areas such as cryptocurrency. Co-chairing the practice are Lynn Neuner and Jonathan Youngwood – Neuner is recognized for her work in commercial and securities litigation, insurance coverage, as well as her extensive trial experience. Although renowned for his securities litigation, Youngwood has also amassed substantial experience representing clients in commercial litigation, arbitrations, investigations, and regulatory matters. Another notable name in the firm is Joseph McLaughlin, who specializes in class actions in both trial and appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court. The group also benefits from the expertise of Craig Waldman and Simona Strauss, who concentrate on securities litigation. Strauss is particularly well-regarded for being ‘well-versed in trends and practices.’  All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP represents commercial clients in complex high-stakes commercial disputes related to securities, insurance, commercial contracts, bankruptcy, antitrust, business torts, class actions, and governmental investigations. Global co-chair of the litigation group Lynn Neuner is well-versed in securities, mergers, insurance coverage, and false advertising disputes, while fellow co-chair Jonathan Youngwood spearheads the securities litigation team and additionally lends his expertise to disputes involving corporate control, ERISA, and antitrust. Bryce Friedman serves as co-head of business litigation in conjunction with Michael Garvey. Friedman specializes in working with clients who are subject to allegations of fraud and False Claims Act violations, in addition to counseling C-suite executives on strategic concerns, disputes and employee matters. Linton Mann III represents companies, boards, board committees and individuals in a diverse array of litigation and investigation matters, including securities, shareholder derivative disputes, and class actions. All lawyers named are based in New York.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 1

The partners at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP are ‘subject matter experts who provide timely, practical advice that allows the clients to make risk-based decisions‘. The firm, which is described as ‘a litigation powerhouse, both inside Delaware and outside of it‘, frequently acts for issuers and their boards of directors, special committees, private equity firms and other financial sponsors. The vastly experienced Jonathan Youngwood and renowned trial lawyer Lynn Neuner lead the M&A litigation group. Having played a key role in the case that opened up the slew of SPAC-related litigation, acting for client Multiplan, the firm remains active in that space with Youngwood and Craig Waldman advising Paysafe in a case concerning its 2021 merger with Foley Trasimene Acquisition Corp. II, in which the company was valued at $9bn. The ‘exceptional’ Peter Kazanoff is currently defending Convey Health Solutions in shareholder litigation arising from TPG’s proposed take-private transaction, in which plaintiffs alleged breach of fiduciary duty. James Kreissman and Palo Alto-based Stephen Blake also play pivotal roles in many of the firm’s most prominent cases.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s litigators have ‘deep experience in all aspects of securities and shareholder litigation.‘ The firm’s stellar corporate and financial institution client base puts it very much at the epicentre of high-stakes securities cases. New York partners Jonathan Youngwood and Lynn Neuner lead the group. Youngwood recently defended ProAssurance in a securities class action arising from alleged misrepresentations and omissions concerning the company’s loss reserves for physician-staffing company TeamHealth. Senior counsel Janet Gochman also had a major role in that case. Bryan Jin in Palo Alto is a key adviser to Chinese companies. He worked with Blake and Youngwood to defend Alibaba Group in a notable securities class action. Up-and-coming partners Stephen Blake in Palo Alto and Craig Waldman in New York play increasingly prominent roles in the group’s key matters. New York-based Peter Kazanoff is also highly regarded by peers and clients.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP remains at the forefront of the DCM field with a proven record in both issuer and underwriter representation. It has a broad mix of investment grade, high-yield, structured finance and mezzanine finance engagements. The firm routinely appears towards the top of the league tables for investment grade and high-yield debt offerings, both for issuers and underwriters. It has a fine reputation for representing first time issuers and has an exceptional blue-chip corporate client base, along with private equity houses and their portfolio companies. In 2023, it advised the underwriters on multiple debt offerings by Pfizer, totalling $31bn. Roxane Reardon is at the forefront of big-ticket transactions, leading many of the firm’s headline deals. Kenneth Wallach is another leading figure, along with Ryan Bekkerus, Hui Lin and Jonathan Ozner. Arthur Robinson is a seasoned and outstanding practitioner. Jessica Asrat and Lia Toback were promoted to the partnership in 2023. All named individuals are based in New York.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has rich pedigree in issuer-side engagements, along with a formidable record in underwriter mandates. It has worked on some of the largest IPOs and direct listings of recent years, while maintaining an active practice in other equity offerings. Among a number of headline deals in 2023, it advised CAVA Group on it $340m IPO and represented the underwriters in Atmus Filtration Technologies’ $316m IPO. Along with major public companies and investment banks, the firm has close connections to top private equity firms and their portfolio businesses. Joshua Ford Bonnie and Joseph Kaufman have outstanding reputations in the equity offerings field, with Kenneth Wallach, Roxane Reardon, Ryan Bekkerus, Hui Lin, Richard Fenyes and Jonathan Ozner also being prominent in this area. All are based in New York.

Finance > Capital markets: global offerings

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP îs a major force in global offerings, particularly deals originating in Latin America. The firm has outstanding connections to issuers and underwriters, also counting sovereign bond offerings as a key area of business; the firm represented the initial purchaser in the Republic of Guatemala’s $565m sovereign debt offering and the initial purchasers in the Dominican Republic’s $1.8bn sovereign bond offering in 2023. The firm is also active in equity offerings and IPOs for Latin American issuers and has also worked on debt offerings by Canadian and European companies. Juan Francisco Méndez is a senior name for Latin America offerings, along with further colleagues in São Paulo. Mark Brod is another key name for global offerings. Both lawyers are based in New York.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is noted for representing both issuers and underwriters; it has gained additional market share in underwriter engagements in recent years. It is widely recognized for its expertise in headline and high-value deals along with its capabilities across the leveraged finance and high-yield debt landscape. Much of its practice remains connected to acquisitions made by its private equity clients and their portfolio companies. Its client base includes many established issuers that are moving towards investment grade status. Kenneth Wallach is an experienced capital markets practitioner with a fine record in high-yield debt, representing a range of corporate, private equity and investment banking clients; Silver Lake is a regular client. Arthur Robinson is one of the most experienced practitioners in the market and continues to advise on headline deals. David Azarkh, Marisa Stavenas and John Ericson are also key names. All named individuals are based in New York.

Finance > Commercial lending

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a first port of call for a number of global banks and private equity houses, advising the former on the structuring of high value syndicated loans and the latter on both private credit arrangements and syndicated acquisition finance deals. The firm augmented its alternative capital and private credit practice with the arrivals in June 2023 of Latham & Watkins LLP‘s David Teh, assisting with leveraged finance acquisitions and capital raisings. For borrowers, the team provides support with the securing of a variety of financing structures, predominantly syndicated acquisition facilities and leveraged buyouts. Patrick Ryan specializes in putting together acquisition and bridge credit facilities on behalf of individual banks and syndicates. William Sheehan is noted for his advice to banks on deals ranging from acquisition to bridge financing, and added further firepower in this regard with the July 2023 arrival of Jennifer Albrecht from an in-house role at a bank, who also advises on recapitalization and restructuring matters. All lawyers named are based in New York.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a comprehensive focus on substantive and regulatory matters, representing ceding companies and reinsurers in litigations and arbitrations across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Bermuda. Notably, the practice has recently handled cases addressing fraud allegations, sexual abuse claims, and coverage litigation arising from the opioid crisis, alongside impactful work related to Russia-Ukraine, including cyber-attacks, seized aircraft litigation, and environmental contamination. Based in New York, practice head Andrew Frankel brings  experience in diverse complex disputes, covering insurance securities, product liability, and commercial litigation investigations. In tandem, Lynn Neuner , based in New York, handles high-stakes cases, leading trial hearings in various forums, including federal and state court, international and domestic arbitrations, and proceedings before the National Advertising Division. Alongside Neuner, Jonathan K. Youngwood, co-head of the litigation practice, specializes in high-profile complex commercial litigations from New York. The team, further supported by Bryce Friedman’s strength representing clients subject to allegations of fraud and False Claims Act violations, and commercial litigation experts Josh Polster and Summer Craig, welcomed new partner Laura Lin and the promotions of Rachel S. Bradley and Alicia N. Washington to partners in 2023.

International trade > CFIUS Tier 1

A destination practice for acquisitional private equity clients, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP represents some of the world’s largest asset managers in CFIUS matters such as Blackstone, KKR and Carlyle. The group, which scores highly for its ‘understanding of not only CFIUS but FDI regimes around the world’, also acts for multinational corporations, investors and sovereign wealth funds on high-stakes reviews. Its breadth of industry expertise is equally comprehensive and spans some of the market’s most sensitive business segments, including technology, energy, infrastructure, defense and aerospace. Highlighted as ‘one of the CFIUS bar’s senior leaders’, Malcolm Tuesley heads the national security regulatory practice; he recently obtained CFIUS approval for Australia-headquartered IFM Investors in connection with its $11bn take-private, together with DigitalBridge Group, of US data center company, Switch. Promoted to partner in early 2023, Mark Skerry is already noted for his ‘dynamic understanding of the subject matter’. Among his recent highlights, Skerry led the national security advice to a consortium of investors—led by Blackstone and including sovereign wealth funds, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIC—in the $14bn acquisition of a majority stake in the Climate Technologies business of Emerson Electric. The Washington DC-based team also includes talented associate Jennifer Ho.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is reputed for its strength in real estate funds and on managing secondaries transactions. The team is well versed in private equity fund raises, co-invest vehicles and on establishing separately managed accounts for high profile sponsors and asset managers, with notable names including Blackstone, The Carlyle Group and Oaktree Capital Management. Practice head Michael Wolitzer advises well known private equity funds sponsors and private investment funds across diverse asset classes and sits in New York. Further strengthening the New York office are preeminent corporate and private funds partner Barrie Covit, Jonathan Karen, who is well versed with infrastructure and real estate funds and secondaries transaction expert Lauren King. Los Angeles based Thomas Wuchenich advises on high-value fund formations and on strategic fund transactions, and is supported by John Kreager and Matthew Kemp, both of whom made partner in January 2024, while in New York Sage Hughes and Jessica O’Connell were made partner in January the previous year.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP fields a ‘truly top-notch’ team, renowned for its expertise in public and private M&A, private equity deals, and IPOs. The group excels in advising on management equity, employment arrangements, and compensation plans, as well as corporate governance and ERISA-related matters. Heading the team, Gregory Grogan has notably represented Microsoft in its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and is celebrated for his work in executive retention and motivation. Jamin Koslowe specializes in equity-based incentive plans, deferred compensation, and benefits issues in spin-offs and securities offerings. Brian Robbins, at the helm of the firm’s Title I ERISA practice, is adept at negotiating employment and termination agreements for high-profile executives. Laurence Moss lends his expertise to the employee benefits aspects of leveraged buyouts, while Andrew Blau focuses on structuring employment contracts, deferred compensation schemes, and management participation in new ventures. Jeannine McSweeney is well regarded for her guidance on incentives, retirement plans, and severance agreements in the context of M&A, IPOs, and joint ventures. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 1

The ‘well-rounded‘ practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP remains a key player on the M&A market and continues to advise on a wide range of impactful and high-value strategic transactions. The team demonstrates significant expertise in representing clients from across the financial services, tech, and infrastructure spheres, with practice head Eric Swedenburg regularly assisting public and private corporations with a diverse array of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. The ‘reliable’ Mark Viera focuses on complex dispositions and leveraged buyouts, Lee Meyerson is noted for his expertise in connection with mergers in the financial services industry, and Alan Klein specializes in shareholder activism and corporate governance issues. Mario Ponce specialises in handling negotiated and hostile M&A transactions, and Elizabeth Cooper concentrates on recapitalizations and investments Katy Lukaszewski, who arrived from Sidley Austin LLP in September 2023, handles complex energy and infrastructure-based transactions. All attorneys mentioned are based in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s M&A team remains a key player in the private equity space, standing out for its ability to handle bulge-bracket buyouts, take-private acquisitions, and portfolio deals for major funds including EQT, Silver Lake, and Carlyle. The department’s reach extends across a diverse array of sectors, including life sciences and consumer products, and it also handles a growing volume of deals in the tech and infrastructure sectors. Marni Lerner, an expert on PE investments and divestitures, and Elizabeth Cooper, a key contact for public and private M&A with close ties to private equity giants like Blackstone, co-head the practice from the firm’s New York office. New York-based Michael Holick leads on numerous PE investments in the energy and infrastructure space. Also based in New York is Anthony Vernace, an expert in both strategic and private equity-backed transactions. Palo Alto-based Naveed Anwar navigates complex leveraged transactions and buyouts for the likes of KKR, and Atif Azher, also in Palo Alto, stands as a key contact for fund investments in the tech sector.

Real estate Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is best known for its complex advisory work for leading private equity funds and alternative asset management companies such as The Carlyle Group, Northwood Investors, and, in particular, Blackstone. Offering full-cycle support on large transactions and real estate developments, the team has extensive experience advising on an array of asset classes ranging from hospitality to multi-family residentials, logistics to data centers. The practice is led by Sasan Mehrara, taking over from highly experienced real estate attorney Gregory Ressa in 2023. Scott Kobak ‘is a terrific lawyer with amazing people skills‘ and can often be seen advising institutional investors on sizeable acquisitions, financings and developments. ‘Highly skilled negotiator’ Krista Miniutti is noted on transactions encompassing public-to-private, securitized and mezzanine financings, while M&A and real estate partner Anthony King brings considerable cross-border transaction experience in the US and Asia, together with expertise in securities and corporate governance aspects of deals. On the finance side, partner Whitney Salinas brings experience encompassing CMBS, balance sheet, and construction financings to name a few. The practice has extensive experience advising on M&As involving public and private companies, portfolio sales and acquisitions, and deal and debt structuring and financing, among other areas.

Tax > Not-for-profit (Fortune 1000 private foundations, national trade associations, and charities) Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s highly experienced team works within the firm’s full service offering to provide comprehensive services to foundations, individuals, charities, and other groups active in the non-profit sector. The New York-based practice is ‘unparalleled in their expertise, creativity, and responsiveness’ and demonstrates key expertise in matters relating to impact investments. Team lead David Shevlin is active on behalf of domestic and international groups and has experience across the healthcare, cultural, and education sectors, among others. John Bennett co-heads the endowment advisory practice and advises both donors and recipients on all matters relating to investment activities. Jennifer Franklin is a key contact for corporate transactions in the space, advising on mergers and dissolutions as well as on issues relating to charitable gift-planning. Other core team members include Maura Whelan, who advises individuals and corporations on a broad range of charitable endeavors, and Kevin Roe, who advises public and private charities, foundations, and other companies on operating issues.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s transactional tax team regularly assists clients in the corporate, banking, private equity and real estate spaces on the tax aspects of major transactions. Marcy Geller, advising on private investment fund formation, M&A, REIT and real estate transactions, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings, leads the team alongside Nancy Mehlman, who offers broad expertise covering tax-free spin-offs, real estate transactions, fund formations, partnerships, and joint ventures, among other matters. Jonathan Goldstein advises major clients, including global investment firm Blackstone, on private investment fund formation, renewable energy transactions, and corporate restructurings. Russell Light has notable experience advising major private investment fund sponsors, including Apollo Global Management, Blackrock and The Carlyle Group. Benjamin Rippeon in Washington DC counts corporations, investment funds, sovereign wealth funds, partnerships, and SPACs among his client base. Andrew Purcell and Sophie Staples also stand out for their work, particularly in relation to M&A and private equity matters, respectively. Caroline Phillips and Jacqueline Clinton became partners in January 2024. Unless otherwise noted, all lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 2

Fielding a deep bench of former enforcement attorneys, prosecutors, and trial lawyers from the FTC and DOJ, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s antitrust and trade regulation practice is equipped to support clients from industries such as software, transportation, defense, insurance, and advises on the full spectrum of cartel matters, including internal investigations, leniency programs, criminal and regulatory investigations and advice on dawn raids. Covering allegations of price fixing, market allocation, bid rigging, and no-poach, conduct among others, the team is jointly headed by Peter Guryan in New York, John Terzaken, and Sara Razi. Engaged by clients from all major industries, Terzaken handles antitrust enforcement matters as part of his diverse white-collar practice, while Abram Ellis is a name to note for cartel-related civil litigation. Representing multinational corporations, independent board committees, and senior executives in investigations by federal and state enforcement regulators is a key area of work for Jeffrey Knox. Unless stated otherwise, all lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 2

Praised for its ‘efficient and creative counsel’, the team at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP guides clients through complex domestic and cross-border transactions in key industries including chemicals, financial services, pharma, telecoms and entertainment. The practice excels in domestic and international merger filings, DOJ and FTC investigations, including Second Request processes, and merger-related litigation. New York-based global co-chair Peter Guryan, described as ‘extremely intelligent, responsive, respectful and practical‘, continues to be highly successful in merger mandates, notably representing L3Harris Technologies in its $4.7bn acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings. Sara Razi also co-chairs the antitrust team and is a key name for DOJ and FTC merger investigations as well as cross-border mandates, while Preston Miller has expertise in merger approvals and related investigations across a wide variety of industries. Karen Kazmerzak joined from Sidley Austin LLP in 2023, contributing significant experience of antitrust prosecution on the agency side. All lawyers mentioned are based in Washington DC, unless otherwise stated.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP caters to a wide range of clients seeking guidance on government and internal investigations, which includes both private and public companies, audit committees, and boards of directors. Marc Berger advises on compliance and enforcement matters concerning digital assets and cybersecurity, including initial coin offerings, cyber threats, and investigations involving cryptocurrencies. Nicholas Goldin has experience acting for companies across an impressive range of industries, including travel, food services, insurance, and financial services. Jeffrey Knox frequently handles investigations into false claim cases, market manipulation, accounting fraud, and FCPA violations. Martin Bell is a further stand out lawyer who is recommended for matters concerning public corruption. With the exception of Knox, who practices in Washington DC, all lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP reinforces its eminent reputation as a go-to for leading global investment firms operating within the energy space, advising the likes of BlackRock, Blackstone, EQT and KKR on the purchase and sale of stakes in both conventional and renewable energy developers and producers. Alongside this work, the team has been active on the acquisition financing of wind and solar portfolios, capital markets work, and commercial agreements. Acting out of Houston and New York respectively, Breen Haire and Eli Hunt front the energy and infrastructure practice and take an active role guiding private equity funds and strategics through their M&A deals. Houston’s David Lieberman is sought out for his financing expertise, often counseling capital investors through debt instrument purchases as well as regularly overseeing acquisition financing mandates, while New York-based Brian Chisling’s practice spans M&A, joint ventures, financing and regulatory advice. Also based in New York, Martha Kammoun’s previous industry experience is an extra selling point for clients and is well-regarded for her work on energy transition and impact investments. Katy Lukaszewski and Gabriel Silva joined the practice in late 2023 from Sidley Austin LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP respectively to add further traditional and renewable energy, as well as digital infrastructure expertise.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is one of the major players in energy sector M&A in the US and thus takes on a notable share of the major transactions in the renewable and alternative energy space. Energy companies, investors, and lenders all feature in the team’s client base and the practice has experience in solar power, wind energy, and carbon capture projects, among others. Houston-based corporate partner Breen Haire co-leads the department with fellow corporate law expert Eli Hunt, who is based in New York. Alongside him there is Brian Chisling, whose corporate and regulatory practice focuses on the energy sector, and Martha Kammoun who has in-house experience at an energy and infrastructure fund. In Houston, David Lieberman, who counts among his clients some of the biggest global investment funds, is a key expert.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP  advises on a variety of environment-related transactions. This encompasses environmental risk assessment, regulatory advice on sustainability and climate change, as well as involvement in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, and lending matters, for which practice co-head Mike Isby in New York is a key contact, routinely advising private equity clients and portfolio companies on complex environmental transactions and environmental regulatory compliance. The team also includes Toby Chun, co-head of the practice from the Washington DC office, who routinely assists clients with the full range of environmental aspects of complex and often cross-border transactions.

Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP 's broad scope of work encompasses regulatory, compliance and governance advice for various fund types and increasingly for business development companies alongside closed-end funds, interval funds and tender offer funds. One preeminent practitioner in this space is practice head Rajib Chanda, who excels across fundraising and transactional mandates for well-known asset managers registered funds. Practicing alongside Chanda from the Washington DC office is David Blass, who specializes in registered fund products, including mutual funds, business development companies, ETFs and closed-end funds, Ryan Brizek, who works with notable clients, such as JPMorgan and Prudential and Franklin Templeton on private markets strategies, and Christopher Healey who is well versed in the development on novel retail investment products. In the New York office Benjamin Wells, who works across various fund types during their launch and the development of retail products, as does Nathan Somogie, who was made partner in January 2024.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is known for its strong relationship with Blackstone, assisting with their full spectrum of REIT transactions, including REIT M&A and IPOs. Recently the practice has been assisting underwriters with senior notes offerings and tender offerings. Other than Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, the firm represents a number of externally managed REITs where it has actively advised on their launches and continues to represent them in matters. Brian Stadler is a M&A expert and key to the team’s relationship with Blackstone, representing REITs in leveraged buyouts, acquisitions and dispositions, and joint ventures. Stadler leads the practice alongside Edgar Lewandowski who focuses on the capital markets side of REIT matters and is particularly noted for his knowledge on REIT spin-offs. For tax-related issues Nancy Mehlman is the go-to, she has expertise in real estate transactional tax issues as well as tax-related problems relating to M&As, partnerships, and joint ventures. All aforementioned lawyers are based in New York.

Tax > International tax Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises banks, multinational corporations, investment funds, and other sophisticated businesses active in various industry sectors, including energy, video gaming, telecommunications, and transportation, on the tax aspects of complex transactions including M&A, banking, capital markets, private funds, and real estate. The New York-based team is co-headed by Nancy Mehlman, who has considerable expertise advising on high-profile M&A including tax-free spin-offs, partnerships, and fund formations, and Marcy Geller, whose broad practice covers tax advice for REIT, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings. Jonathan Goldstein advises clients on tax matters regarding financial institutions, renewable energy transactions, and private investment fund formation, among other transactions. Russell Light advises on the tax aspects of M&A, private equity investments and fund formation matters, debt restructurings, and credit investments. Drew Purcell advises on the full spectrum of tax matters including financing, credit, and spin-offs. Sophie Staples advises clients on tax matters in a variety of transactions, including M&A, dispositions, joint ventures, financing transactions, and securities offerings. Benjamin Rippeon supports corporations, investment funds, sovereign wealth funds, joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies and special purpose acquisition companies with tax issues relating to complex, cross-border transactions.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3

With a deep bench comprised of ‘strategic thinkers,’ Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises a broad range of sectors, including, but not limited to food, chemicals and healthcare on their approaches to civil antitrust litigation and dealings with the FTC across issues such as monopolization, tying and price fixing. The practice is led by a five-person team, with New York’s Peter Guryan counting a number of prominent private equity houses among his clients, and both he and Washington DC’s Sara Razi represent clients in litigation against the DOJ and FTC, with DC-based John Terzaken handling civil litigation occurring as a result of regulatory proceedings. Lynn Neuner and Jonathan Youngwood co-chair the firm’s litigation practice out of New York, assisting with civil antitrust disputes. Washington DC-based Abram Ellis, described by a client as a ‘good strategist,’ is noted for his work defending class actions and antitrust disputes concerning financial instruments and the healthcare sector.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

A deep roster of clients across the full oil and gas value chain, most notably private equity and investment banks, continues to turn to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP for advice on complex M&A and related financings, investments, and dispositions. The team also routinely handles transactions for companies in the upstream, midstream, petrochemical, oil field services, offshore and LNG sub-sectors. From the Houston office, Erland Modesto is a standout player in the energy-related financing sector, where he frequently advises major banks on high-profile financings in the energy space. Breen Haire’s wide client base includes companies operating in the oil and gas exploration and production, midstream, and oil field service sectors, while capital markets specialist Brian Rosenzweig is recognized for his expertise in advising on high yield offerings by energy issuers, including oil field service companies, upstream producers, and midstream companies. With broad expertise in oil and gas exploration and production, Brandan Still is also recommended. All practitioners are based in Houston.

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 3

Regulatory matters tied to transactions form the core of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s work in this space, with the firm advising banks, private equity houses, payment processors and insurers on deals in the banking and fintech sectors among others. Alongside its transactional expertise, the team also assists with Dodd-Frank and Basel III compliance. Lee Meyerson leads the team out of New York, with a strong track record of overseeing major bank M&A deals, complemented by a capital markets practice that covers a range of debt and equity offerings. Elizabeth Cooper is the name of choice for a number of global private equity houses for major acquisitions and disposals, while Ravi Purushotham handles large bank M&A; both are based in New York. Amanda Allexon joined the firm’s Washington DC office from Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz in April 2023, advising on the regulatory aspects of M&A transactions while also representing clients before the Federal Reserve, OFAC and FDIC. April 2024 saw the team further strengthened by the arrival from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP of Sven Mickisch, Matthew Nemeroff and Tim Gaffney in New York and Brian Christiansen in Washington DC.

Finance > Project finance Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is well positioned in the market to advise a range of premium lenders and sponsors on financings to help multi-national energy players execute their strategic growth plans, advising on sustainability-linked term loans, construction term loan facilities and revolving credit facilities, as well as project specific tax credit financing. Wider work includes counselling global asset managers and private equity outfits on acquisition financing matters and representing purchasers in multi-billion dollar capital markets transactions. With deep experience of the market, David Lieberman leads the practice and possesses a multifarious practice that spans M&A and financing work for leading players active in traditional, renewables and energy transition and digital infrastructure. Matthew Einbinder, whilst chiefly recognized as a trusted advisor to lenders, has also been active on structured investment mandates, including working with Apollo on significant capital commitments. Group lead Breen Haire has established strength on private equity transactions, and Martha Kammoun leverages previous in-house infrastructure fund expertise to advise sponsors across an array of transactions. Amy Beller is also recommended and boasts a wide-encompassing sponsors and lenders practice. Katy Lukaszewski joined from Sidley Austin LLP in September 2023 and Gabriel Silva joined from Vinson & Elkins LLP in November 2023, with the duo bringing further oil and gas and digital infrastructure capabilities to the firm respectively. The team operates out of Houston, with the exception of Kammoun, Beller, and Silva who sit in the New York office.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises clients in all types of bankruptcies and restructurings across all industries and operates with other departments to provide a one-stop-shop service with professionals in litigation, banking and credit, M&A, capital markets and tax assisting on the restructuring practice. New York-based Sandeep Qusba heads the team and has represented a range of parties in Chapter 11 proceedings and out-of-court restructurings, while Sunny Singh, who joined from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in March 2023, is experienced in leading all aspects of complex domestic and international restructuring matters. Elisha Graff co-heads the practice and represents clients in connection with out-of-court restructurings, alongside focusing on advising companies and equity sponsors. Nicholas Baker is a key individual from the team. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP assists major investment banks, investment firms and industry-leading companies with securitization matters, with notable work in the fiber-optic, data center and general IT spaces. Its transactional experience includes advising on a range of asset classes, such as ABCP, aircraft leases, bank credit card receivables, whole business loans, dark fiber revenue and SFR properties. John Schueller leads the practice from New York. His work includes assistance on a wide range of asset classes, from auto loans to digital infrastructures to SFRs, for underwriters and issuers.  

M&A/corporate and commercial > Corporate governance Tier 3

The corporate governance group at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP frequently advises domestic and foreign public companies on all aspects of their compliance and for advice on SEC internal investigations. The team is spearheaded by New York-based Karen Hsu Kelley who is a key port of call for management, boards of directors and board committees seeking assistance on SEC reporting, committee structures and shareholder proposals.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s ‘dedicated’ team operates out of New York and is well-versed in handling various IP and privacy issues relating to patents, software, AI, and cybersecurity. Notably, the department has demonstrable experience in handling the tech and cybersecurity aspects of cross-border and domestic M&A and private equity deals. The ‘skilled’ Lori Lesser oversees the group and primarily works with clients in the financial services, software, and pharmaceutical industries. Marisa Geiger is ‘terrific’ at assisting companies with the IP and tech elements of complex corporate transactions. Associate Alysha Sekhon is a recommended practitioner in the department.

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal) Tier 4

Drawing on ‘excellent all-around litigators’,  Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s appellate practice is closely aligned with its premier financial services litigation and commercial litigation teams. Largely based in New York, the group is nonetheless active in courts of appeals and state supreme courts across the country. From New York, Jonathan Youngwood co-chairs the overarching global litigation department and recently secured a pro bono win at the Fifth Circuit, with a ruling overturning Mississippi’s criminal disenfranchisement laws. The New York team also benefits from the senior experience of global litigation co-chair Lynn Neuner and key appellate contact Joseph McLaughlin.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 4

Jonathan K. Youngwood at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York, whose clients include Bumble, is the firm’s global co-chair of litigation. Securities litigation is a key forté of Youngwood’s practice, including a notable securities class action in 2023; namely the case of Baker v. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. Youngwood also offers significant experience in high profile civil and commercial litigation and trials.Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s Lynn K. Neuner in New York, who is global co-chair of the firm’s litigation department, works on matters in a range of areas. More recently in 2023, Neuner was involved in significant insurance litigation, including representing Federal Insurance Company in high exposure bad faith litigation, an example of her ability to work on high-value, high-stakes cases. Securities litigation is another key feature of Neuner’s practice.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 4

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises investment banks, funds and corporations through a wide range of OTC derivatives transactions, including currency, commodity and equity derivatives. The firm is experienced in hedging mandates, such as interest rate and deal-contingent hedges. It is also well-positioned to support clients in equity-linked margin loans and back leverage transactions. Practicing out of New York, Jonathan Lindabury advises on derivatives issues in a range of transaction types, including leveraged acquisitions, equity hedging, margin loans and structured transactions, as well as OTC derivatives transactions.

Real estate > Real estate finance

Finance > Fintech

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)