Mr Jonathan Youngwood > Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.