Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 1

With several major financial institutions among its clients, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP boasts a strong financial services practice with a ‘high degree of expertise in securities litigation’. The firm also has experience navigating complex SEC investigations into clients including JPMorgan and Barclays. The practice is led by Jonathan Youngwood and Lynn Neuner in New York- Youngwood is highly regarded for his experience in securities litigation, particularly class actions, SPAC-related litigation and acting for underwriters in litigation arising from IPOs, while Neuner is also recognized as a leading lawyer in the commercial and securities litigation space. Also in New York is Joseph McLaughlin, who specializes in class actions, primarily relating to securities, and shareholder derivative litigation. Similarly, Craig Waldman, who is also based in New York, focuses on securities litigation including class and derivative actions, in addition to his experience in private equity and corporate transaction-related litigation. Senior counsel Simona Strauss, based in Palo Alto, is another key individual for the firm’s securities expertise, while she also concentrates on M&A litigation and regulatory investigations.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is headquartered in New York and is well regarded for handling a wide range of legal disputes including securities, commercial contracts, bankruptcy, and internal probes, advising high value national and international companies, particularly in the tech, pharma and insurance industries, as well as financial institutions. Recent notable work includes representing Twitter in multiple securities class actions and derivative lawsuits, as well as representing Chubb in connection to Boy Scouts of America’s Chapter 11 filing claims of sexual abuse. Jonathan Youngwood is a civil securities expert, while Lynn Neuner specializes in litigation related to securities, mergers, insurance coverage, and false advertising disputes. Bryce Friedman offers a broad range of legal services, including strategic planning, dispute resolution, and employee matters. Another prominent member of the team is Linton Mann III , who focuses on securities, shareholder derivative disputes, class actions, antitrust, and complex commercial conflicts. Michael Garvey is also noted for his leadership of the litigation team.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP ‘has great industry experience, which puts them in a position to provide deep insight into risks and opportunities associated with securities litigation matters‘, and clients remark that the partners are ‘very thorough and provide timely advice‘. The practice is led by Jonathan Youngwood and seasoned trial lawyer Lynn Neuner. Youngwood and Palo Alto-based Stephen Blake are ‘very practical lawyers who are able to apply deep experience and substantive knowledge to very difficult problems and find the best possible outcomes, even when no good options are apparent‘ – they have been active in SPAC cases of late. Peter Kazanoff is ‘second to none in his experience, attention to detail and practical guidance‘, and Craig Waldman also plays a key role in the practice. James Kreissman is now of counsel. All lawyers are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 1

At Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, ‘the team has great industry experience, which puts them in a position to provide deep insight into risks and opportunities associated with securities litigation matters’. One client remarks that the lawyers are ‘very thorough and provide timely advice’ and benefit from ‘extensive experience and a sensitivity to clients’ practical needs and goals’. The firm has a stellar roster of clients, among them major corporates such as Alibaba Group and financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley. New York partners Jonathan Youngwood, who is ‘superior in securities litigation’, leads the practice with Lynn Neuner. Youngwood and senior counsel Janet Gochman are representing Twitter in a derivative action alleging breach of fiduciary duty by founder Jack Dorsey. Also in New York, Peter Kazanoff is ‘second to none in his experience, attention to detail and practical guidance’. He is currently handling a complex derivative action for KKR Biomet, which alleges that the company’s board knew it was facing regulatory compliance challenges concerning one of its facilities, but hid those facts from the market. Emerging partner talents Stephen Blake in Palo Alto (‘a very practical lawyer who is able to apply deep experience and substantive knowledge to very difficult problems’) and Craig Waldman in New York play pivotal roles in the practice. Palo Alto-based James Kreissman is now of counsel.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 1

The environmental team at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is led by New York’s Mike Isby, who offers ‘professionalism, effectiveness and sophistication’, and Washington DC’s Toby Chun, who joined from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in February 2022. The firm acts for companies, banks and other financial institutions, and private equity groups on risk and liability, and regulatory matters relating to transactions. It is particularly active in the chemical, paper, utility and mining sectors. Isby is a key name for M&A, securities offerings and lending matters, as well as compliance issues for domestic and international clients, while Chun handles cross-border corporate and real estate deals, with particular experience of advising on environmental insurance coverage and issues around emerging contaminants. Former practice co-head Adeeb Fadil left, and Deepa Sarkar joined as counsel in New York from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP remains an established leader in DCM, with an outstanding record in investment grade debt, high-yield debt, convertible bonds, equity-linked instruments and derivatives transactions. It is equally highly-rated for both issuer and underwriter engagements. The New York-based team has a fine background in representing first-time issuers and repeat issuers thanks to its expertise in high-yield debt and IPOs. In 2022, it continued to advise on a series of bulge-bracket and headline deals, including representing the underwriters in two public offerings by UnitedHealth Group totalling $15bn. It also advised the initial purchasers and selling security holders in AT&T’s $30bn senior notes offering in connection with the combination of WarnerMedia with Discovery. Kenneth Wallach is an experienced capital markets specialist with a fine record in investment grade debt and convertible bond offerings. Roxane Reardon is rated for investment grade debt, convertible debt and equity-linked securities. Ryan Bekkerus and John Ericson are also key partners. The seasoned Arthur Robinson retains an outstanding reputation.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is at the pinnacle of capital markets, representing issuers and underwriters on many of the headline deals in the sector. It has capitalised on its connections to private equity houses, corporate issuers and investment banks. This has earned a sizeable share of the SPAC market and continues to make progress in tech sector offerings. It advised Dell Technologies on its spin-off its 81% equity ownership interest in VMware, which included an $11.5bn to $12bn special cash dividend to all VMware stockholders immediately prior to the spin-off. It also represented the underwriters on Braze’s $572m IPO. The firm has multiple senior practitioners in the team, including outstanding lawyers Kenneth Wallach, Joshua Ford Bonnie, Joseph Kaufman and Roxane Reardon. Ryan Bekkerus and Hui Lin are also key names, along with William Brentani in Palo Alto. All named partners are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Finance > Capital markets: global offerings

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a leading position in global offerings, driven by multiple regions around the world. To this end, the firm's offices in London, Tokyo and Hong Kong regularly provide the practice with additional firepower in global offerings. It has historically attracted a substantial deal flow from Latin America, with its primary team members located in New York and São Paulo. The firm has landed a series of sovereign offering engagements from Latin America in recent years, to build on its already healthy bank of business in the region. It has also impressed in offerings by international development banks. In 2022, the firm advised the initial purchasers on the Republic of Chile’s peso-denominated sustainable bond offering. Elsewhere it represented Toronto-Dominion Bank in its debut $1.75bn US public offering. Jaime Mercado and Juan Francisco Méndez are key New York partners with a major focus on Latin America. Mark Brod is another New York partner with extensive international experience, often having a key role in offerings by European and Asian issuers.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Despite having a smaller capital markets team than many of its direct rivals, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a longstanding leader in high-yield debt, both for issuers and underwriters. The firm - which is at the forefront of leveraged finance and standalone high-yield debt transactions - represents many of the marquee private equity houses in the market, along with their portfolio companies. It also boasts an extensive public company and underwriter client base, and is noted for ESG and sustainability-linked offerings and for representing issuers moving towards investment grade status. Kenneth Wallach is a leading figure in private equity-related deals and technology sector transactions. Arthur Robinson is a seasoned capital markets specialist with rich pedigree in high-yield debt, including in the healthcare sector. John Ericson and David Azarkh are also key figures in the team. Named partners are based in New York.

Finance > Commercial lending

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP maintains its leading position across the borrower and lender markets, standing out particularly for its ability to advise on high-value and impactful acquisition financings. The team’s lender-side activity involves work for major banks such as JP Morgan as well as an expanding roster of clients in the private credit space, while its borrower-side clients include some of the nation’s largest private equity firms alongside corporate borrowers such as Dell Technologies. Most frequently advising on leveraged buyouts and investment-grade credit facilities in connection with high-value acquisitions, the firm also actively assists with asset-based lending and refinancings. Standout recent deals in this space include New York-based partner William Sheehan‘s representation of Bank of America in providing $21.7bn of unsecured credit facilities to Oracle. Practice head Patrick Ryan, a longstanding acquisition finance expert, also works out of New York, alongside key contacts James Cross and Jennifer Hobbs. In Houston, Matt Einbinder and Erland Modesto are highly recommended for their ability to advise on financings in the energy sector.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP represents clients before state and federal courts and in arbitrations in a range of insurance and reinsurance disputes, handling issues arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, data breaches and insurance bankruptcy. In addition, the team also handles claims brought against insurers by shareholders and advises on regulatory proceedings, including state and federal government investigations. The practice is led by Andrew T. Frankel, who has extensive experience handling mass tort coverage litigation, alongside the co-heads of the firm’s litigation practice, Lynn K. Neuner and Jonathan K. Youngwood. The ‘very sharp’ Bryce Friedman advises on matters concerning fraud allegations and violations of the False Claims Act. Joshua Polster represents insurance clients in commercial disputes, advising on securities, M&A and breach of contract claims, while Summer Craig focuses her practice on insurance and reinsurance litigation. Former co-head of the insurance practice Mary Beth Forshaw left the firm in January 2023. All lawyers mentioned are New York-based.

International Trade > CFIUS Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s national security regulatory practice finds favor for its extensive transaction experience, particularly in ‘large private equity deals with foreign co-investment and a multitude of foreign direct investment filings’. Covering the waterfront on CFIUS matters, the team routinely advises on deals across a broad range of industries, including in sensitive spheres such as technology, infrastructure, telecoms and life sciences. The Washington DC-based group also stands out for its expertise in matters involving sovereign wealth funds and elaborate investment structures. Department head Malcolm Tuesley is held up as a ‘go-to CFIUS/FDI advisor’; he recently represented the Board of Directors of Twitter in connection with Elon Musk’s $44bn acquisition of the company. Mark Skerry, who was promoted the the partnership in January 2023, formerly served as an attorney within the Office of the General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security and has a strong focus on national security law; he paired up with Tuesley to advise a consortium led by Blackstone, and including sovereign wealth funds Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and GIC, in the $14.5bn acquisition of a majority stake in Emerson Electric’s climate technologies business.

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

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a regular fixture in some of the largest fund raisings in the market in recent years and has standout expertise in funds that have over $3bn in commitments. GP-led secondaries transactions, which were increasingly popular in 2022, are a further forte for the firm, with practice head Michael Wolitzer, managing partner of the Los Angeles office Thomas Wuchenich, and up-and-coming partner Lauren King all names to note in the space. Barrie Covit is a corporate partner that focuses on private funds, and Jonathan Karen is a further key player in the private equity funds space. Blackstone and other leading sponsors count on Peter Gilman for counsel.

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

Maintaining its strong position in the space, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s team specializes in representing international corporations and private equity funds in multijurisdictional M&A and high-profile IPOs. The firm’s expertise in executive compensation and employee benefits matters relating to corporate transactions has attracted clients in industries spanning from healthcare to fintech. Practice group head Gregory Grogan focuses on executive retention in M&A and IPOs, with a particular emphasis on private equity. Partner Brian Robbins has extensive experience assisting senior executives in connection with the negotiation of employment and termination agreements. David Rubinsky advises major companies such as Hellman & Friedman and KKR on its sales and acquisitions, while Jamin Koslowe frequently helps boards and compensation committees with executive compensation matters. In the Palo Alto office Tristan Brown handles takeovers and corporate mergers, and Andrew Blau helps clients to structure deferred compensation. Jeannine McSweeney focuses on equity-based incentives and retirement plans. All attorneys are New York-based, unless otherwise stated.

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

Showcasing decades of experience in the structuring and negotiation of blockbuster M&A, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP remains a market leader, working with a broad range of strategic clients on a wealth of multi-billion dollar and headline-grabbing transactions, with particular strength in the life sciences, financial services, and technology sectors. Praised for its ‘exceptional level of knowledge‘, the team offers ‘practical advice‘ in the context of cross-border M&A matters, and is a prime destination for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. The ‘excellent‘ Eric Swedenburg is the go-to advisor to several public companies and special committees of boards of directors in M&A, spin-offs, joint ventures and shareholder activism; his practice also includes advising private equity firms and financial advisors in domestic and international transactions. Head of the financial institutions practice Lee Meyerson has an unrivalled reputation for complex mergers in the financial services space. Alan Klein‘s recent highlights include major transactions in the technology sector, such as Microsoft’s $75bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Strategic clients, investment banks and private equity firms routinely turn to Mario Ponce for representation in contested and negotiated M&A transactions, restructuring and governance issues. Anthony Vernace has worked on marquee deals on behalf of both public companies and private equity clients. All named attorneys are based in New York. Kathryn King Sudol is no longer at the firm.

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

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP continues to operate at the apex of the private equity market, a consistent advisor to major firms and their portfolio companies across the gamut of PE areas from fund formation, acquisition and liquidity strategies, to exit transactions including sales and IPOs. In recent times the practice has handled a number of ultra-high-value transactions for blue-chip clients, advising KKR in its acquisition of Barracuda Networks Inc and representing Blackstone on the acquisition of PS Business Parks for approximately $7.6bn. Marni Lerner co-heads the practice and has a strong track record when it comes to complex M&A, divestitures, strategic investments and securities matters. Co-head Elizabeth Cooper specializes in M&A and boasts an impressive client list of the likes of Carlyle, Oaktree and New Mountain. In Palo Alto, Atif Azher represented Silver Lake Partners in connection with Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, with a total value around $61bn. Anthony Vernace has developed a stellar reputation among PE firms for joint ventures and other corporate transactions, while New York-based Michael Holick represents EQT in high-value transactions. Veteran Gary Horowitz has recently left the firm, while former co-head of M&A Katie Sudol departed in July 2022. All lawyers are New York-based unless otherwise specified.

Real estate Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s diversified real estate practice spans M&A for both public and private real estate companies, portfolio and asset sales and acquisitions, structured finance, development, leasing and joint ventures. In a landmark transaction, practice head Gregory Ressa worked alongside Krista Miniutti and Davis Coen to advise Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust in its acquisition of AIG’s interests in an affordable housing portfolio for approximately $5.1bn. Sasan Mehrara and Krista Miniutti predominantly counsel private equity firms and real estate opportunity funds; public-to-private acquisitions is a key area of expertise. Anthony King has a strong following among Asia-based clients, having recently returned from its Hong Kong office. Scott Kobak, Whitney Salinas and Justin Vilinsky are the other key lawyers of note for complex real estate private equity fund joint venture arrangements and financings. All figures are based in the New York office.

Tax > Not-for-profit (nonprofit and tax exempt organizations) Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP utilizes its ‘expertise and experience in complex transactions’ to advise several major corporate foundations and corporate philanthropy programs on ongoing transactions. The group is also well placed to handle regulatory issues as it is ‘well-informed and well-connected with regulators at both the federal and state levels’ and is ‘a team of experts, with deep knowledge of both tax and corporate law relevant to tax-exempt organizations’. Experienced practitioner David Shevlin leads the New York based team, which offers ‘deep knowledge of both tax and corporate law relevant to tax-exempt organizations’ and provides exempt organizations with access to the cross-practice capabilities of a large, full-service law firm. Senior counsel John Bennett oversees the group’s endowment advisory practice and is a go-to attorney for advisory work such as advice to public charities and private foundations on structural and operational issues. Jennifer Franklin, also a senior counsel, is another key name for charities work, in particular charitable gift-planning. Counsel Kevin Roe is also a key member of the team.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is called upon by multinational corporations, banks, investment funds and other businesses for advice on their largest and most complex transactions, offering the full spectrum of deal and fund capabilities. The group has a leading M&A and private equity tax offering, exemplified by its recent involvement in Microsoft Corporation’s $75bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The team is also engaged on fund formations, matters relating to real estate investments by fund sponsors, and complex IPOs in the capital markets space. Based in New York unless stated otherwise, the team is spearheaded by seasoned corporate tax lawyers Nancy Mehlman and Marcy Geller, whose combined expertise spans M&A, real estate (including REITs), fund formations, joint ventures, and financings. Jonathan Goldstein specializes in private investment fund formations, while Russell Light is experienced in debt restructurings and big-ticket SPACs. Andrew Purcell is the first port of call for clients operating in the tech sector; recent highlights include multi-billion dollar acquisitions for DigitalBridge, New Mountain Capital and Silver Lake. Also noted for their strengths are up-and-coming Sophie Staples and Washington DC-based Benjamin Rippeon.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s highly active practice represents clients on multiple major new and ongoing cartel matters, leveraging the deep in-house experience of the team to represent clients in international and domestic investigations and subsequent litigation. Internal investigations, leniency applications, and multijurisdictional compliance programs are particular strengths of the group. The practice is jointly overseen by Washington DC-based John Terzaken, DC’s Sara Razi, as well as Peter Guryan in the New York office. Terzaken, the former director of criminal enforcement at the DOJ’s Antitrust Division and a leading name in the field, concentrates on market sector investigations and litigations across all major industries with an emphasis on financial services and fintech. Razi is a former senior official at the FTC, while Guryan formerly served as a trial attorney in the Antitrust Division. Jeffrey Knox, also based in DC, advises multinational corporations and independent board committees in high-stakes investigations by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, and other federal and state enforcement regulators. Another key DC name is Abram Ellis, who regularly acts on follow-on cartel litigation.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP leverages its strong profile within the private equity space, advising a number of major buyout funds on global antitrust filings and investigations, combining this work with a notable focus on complex public M&A approvals, offering deep agency experience on mandates facing Second Request investigations as well as antitrust lawsuits brought by the DOJ and FTC. The team is able to handle mergers in highly scrutinized industries, particularly healthcare, with Washington DC-based co-head Sara Razi successfully representing Change Healthcare in the DOJ challenge to its acquisition by UnitedHealth, as well as financial services. New York’s Peter Guryan co-heads the team and is a former Antitrust Division trial attorney, allowing him to handle contentious merger proceedings both domestically and internationally, and is particularly active on behalf of private equity-backed companies and funds. DC-based Preston Miller is an increasingly key team member, focusing heavily on merger review and playing a major role in the Change deal, with senior counsel Richard Jamgochian in New York also noted for his broad sector knowledge and work on antitrust risk analysis at the outset of deals.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP fields a white-collar team that consists of a number of former SEC officials and federal prosecutors with extensive experience in securities fraud, FCPA and anti-corruption violations, and investment advisor fraud. The practice is also noted for its strengths in criminal bid rigging and price fixing, and counts Fortune 500 companies as well as its executives among its clients. Lynn Neuner is reputed in the market for her vast trial experience, while Jonathan Youngwood is particularly well versed at the intersection of securities and white-collar criminal defense. Matters pertaining to cryptocurrency and other digital assets form part of Marc Berger‘s portfolio. Nicholas Goldin, whose strengths include enforcement matters and internal investigations, and Washington DC-based former head of the DOJ Fraud Section Jeffrey Knox are further names to note. Brooke Cucinella left the firm for an in-house position in July 2022. All named attorneys are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has decades of experience advising clients in the electric power industry, including a range of legal services from innovative and complex M&A to financing transactions for companies engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power, as well as all fuel sources and generation types. The firm has advised clients in numerous transactions across the renewable energy front, involving solar power, wind energy and other alternative energy, David Lieberman is the head of the energy and infrastructure practice in Houston and has experience representing parties on power and renewable energy transactions, having advised a broad client base ranging from Blackstone to Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners. Brian Chisling is a partner based in New York and specializes in transactions involving energy and infrastructure companies and has advised independent power producers and electric utilities on M&A, divestitures and securities issuances. Matthew Einbinder  is a leading figure with a practice centered on renewable and alternative energy in complex banking and credit transactions.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 2

With a particularly strong M&A practice, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s energy and infrastructure group is equipped to handle the full range of commercial needs for its national and international high-profile clients. A notable achievement of the practice is the representation of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. in connection with the acquisition of Liberty Utilities Co. from American Electric Power Co. for a total purchase price of approximately $2.85bn. David Lieberman from the Houston office leads the practice and advises clients, such as Blackstone and Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, on complex transactions across the renewables sector. In New York, Brian Chisling‘s practice extends to M&A, joint ventures, financing and related regulatory issues, while Houston’s Matthew Einbinder regularly advises borrowers and lenders on banking and credit transactions, including project finance.    

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

Rajib Chanda spearheads the offering in mutual, registered and exchange-traded funds at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, acting for prestigious clients, including Blackstone, KKR and Carlyle, in ccomplex and innovative matters in the space. Chanda leads from the Washington DC office, which houses the bulk of the firm’s practice. David Blass and Christopher Healey both receive client recognition as ‘key assets to the team‘; Blass praised for his broad, business friendly knowledge; Healey for his expertise on the 1940 Act. Ryan Brizek is fund counsel to registered funds sponsored by some of the largest alternative and traditional asset managers in the US market, and, representing the practice in New York, Benjamin Wells has been particularly active advising on innovative products for well-established sponsors.

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

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP maintains its strong reputation for handling major transactional mandates in the space. The group continues its longstanding relationship with major private equity fund, Blackstone – providing representation on a vast range of different transactions in 2022, including the $12.8 billion acquisition of American Campus Communities. New York-based Brian Stadler has extensive experience on M&A  involving REITS, co-leading the group in conjunction with Edgar Lewandowski, who focuses on capital markets matters, and Gregory Ressa. Nancy Mehlman is another key name as co-head of the firm’s tax practice, advising on tax issues associated with real estate transactions.

Tax > International tax Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP offers a renowned capital markets tax practice which advises on initial public offerings and provides solutions to issuers. The practice offers the full spectrum of deal and fund capabilities including financings, capital markets transactions and restructurings. The team also has expertise in providing tax advice relating to real estate investments by fund sponsors. Nancy Mehlman co-heads the practice and advises on fund formations, partnerships and joint ventures. Other co-head Marcy Geller has expertise in REITs and real estate transactions while Jonathan Goldstein provides advice with respect to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. All lawyers are in New York.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is known for advising and representing both plaintiffs and defendants in antitrust litigation concerning monopolization, price fixing and tying claims across major industries such as chemicals, insurance, pharma, agricultural products, finance, and telecoms. The team is led by antitrust co-chair Sara Razi who has extensive private-sector and government antitrust experience, fellow co-chair John Terzaken, a leading antitrust litigator with a broad antitrust practice including investigations and follow-on litigation and litigation co-chair Jonathan Youngwood in New York, who co-chairs the litigation department. Other heads of team include New York-based antitrust co-chair Peter Guryan and litigation co-chair Lynn Neuner. Abram Ellis is highly regarded in the market and is especially experienced in antitrust litigation involving financial instruments, the healthcare industry and employment matters. All attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise specified.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s focus in the financial services regulation field lies in transactions in the space, an offering which is interlinked with the firm’s compliance experience, ensuring banks, insurance companies, securities and mortgage brokers, broker-dealers and credit card issuers are adept at addressing various requirements, including those enacted under the Dodd-Frank Act and Basel III. Lee Meyerson heads the practice from New York, specializing in M&A and capital markets transactions for financial institutions, while Elizabeth Cooper, another key figure from the firm’s executive committee, is recognized for her diverse M&A and corporate transactional knowledge, advising on joint ventures, acquisitions and recapitalizations. Ravi Purushotham is another active member, having been involved in the firm’s advice to TD Bank Group on its acquisition of First Horizon for $13.4bn.

Finance > Project finance Tier 3

Reputed for its ‘strong client knowledge and good commercial management’, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s energy and infrastructure practice group advises clients on the whole array of project finance transactions in the sector, with a particular strong focus on energy projects. In 2022, the team represented JPMorgan Chase Bank, N/A in connection with SilverBow Resources, Inc.’s tenth amendment to its reserve-based credit agreement, increasing the maximum credit amount to $2bn. M&A and financing expert David Lieberman in Houston heads the practice, and is experienced in advising high-profile clients such as Blackstone, Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners and Global Infrastructure Partners. Houston-based Matthew Einbinder focuses his practice on representing borrowers, direct lender and lenders in complex banking and credit transactions, while senior counsel and transactional lawyer Amy Beller in New York is also recommended.  

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 3

Sandeep Qusba and Michael Torkin head Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s restructuring practice, which has a strong reputation for representing senior lenders in chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings, but also advises debtors, creditor committees, equity sponsors, distressed asset investors, and agent banks in relation to various types of restructurings and bankruptcies. Qusba handles restructurings in and out of court, as well as distressed company acquisitions and bank financings, and, alongside Nicholas Baker, has recently led a team representing Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase Bank as agents in connection with LATAM Airline Group’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Torkin specializes in representing companies in relation to liability management and recapitalization transactions, while Elisha Graff has experience advising equity sponsors on the restructuring of their portfolio companies and financial institutions on loans to distressed companies. Sunny Singh joined in March 2023. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is highly active in the digital infrastructure, energy and transportation industries, representing clients in a range of asset-backed transactions involving commercial paper, aircraft leases, bank credit card receivables and dark fiber revenue. Standout recent work for the team includes counselling the initial purchasers in a series of asset-backed note offerings from both Enterprise Fleet Management and Avis Budget Group, in addition to work with the Railroad commission of Texas regarding the issuance of a financing order. John Schueller fronts the practice and has extensive expertise on auto loans and leases, timeshare loans and fleet leases, also regularly providing advising executives and managers regarding CLOs.

Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious Tier 3

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

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s members are praised for ‘having great depth of expertise’ and being ‘pragmatic and creative problem solvers,’ in corporate governance, with the team regularly sought out for advice on SEC internal investigations. Matters handled by the group are often related to corporate events such as IPOs, share offerings, and practice group head Karen Hsu Kelley in New York excels at supporting domestic and international public companies with the listing requirements of the major US exchanges. Public company expert Charles Mathias is also a key name in the team.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a ‘very nimble‘ New York-based team who are ‘knowledgeable in all areas of IP and tech, and are able to manage very different types of transactions‘. The practice is invariably very busy on the M&A and private equity support side, providing critical advice on IP and tech driven corporate transactions, including expertise in related areas such as privacy and cybersecurity. Key to the firm’s success in this area is practice head Lori Lesser, who brings a ‘very experienced and has a hands-on approach‘. The practice was also boosted in 2022 by the recruitment of partner Jessica Cohen from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. ‘Fantastic‘ associate Alysha Sekhon is ‘smart, on top of things and a tireless advocate‘.

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

Composed of ‘excellent writers, strategic thinkers and all around advocates’, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s appellate group sits within its formidable litigation offering. Closely integrated with its trial practice, the team is routinely involved in complex corporate appeals, with notable expertise in the financial services, insurance, class actions, and consumer products spheres. It additionally handles a significant volume of pro bono cases. In New York, Joseph McLaughlin is frequently involved in proceedings in trial and appellate courts across the country. Jonathan Youngwood and Lynn Neuner co-chair the overarching litigation department from New York.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 4

Jonathan Youngwood – Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Located in New York, Jonathan Youngwood is co-chair of the firm's litigation department and leads the civil securities litigation practice. He brings over 25 years of experience representing major corporations and directors in high-stakes commercial litigations, arbitrations, investigations and regulatory matters. Youngwood was able to use his considerable experience on behalf of SeaWorld Entertainment in June 2022, successfully resolving a federal securities class action lawsuit ahead of the scheduled trial for September. Lynn Neuner – Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Global co-chair of the firm's litigation department, New York-based Lynn Neuner is a prominent trial lawyer with in-depth expertise in the areas of commercial, securities, and insurance litigation, as well advertising disputes. In a fascinating on-going matter, Neuner has been defending The Toronto-Dominion Bank in a case concerning the Robert Stanford trial proceedings and the second largest Ponzi scheme in history, with an expected three month trial scheduled to begin in the Southern District of Texas in February 2023.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 4

Praised as ‘well-versed in derivatives and structured products’, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP counts investment banks, private equity funds and corporations among its key roster of clients, with demonstrable experience in handling over-the-counter transactions and equity-linked derivatives. In the firm’s New York office, ‘exceptional partner’ Jonathan Lindabury leads the team and is noted for his expertise in margin loans and equity derivatives transactions, in addition to related regulatory matters. Based in Washington DC, regulatory expert David Blass is another key contact in the group.

Finance > Fintech

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

Latin America: International firms > Capital markets Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is at the forefront of Brazil offerings and also SEC-registered transactions - where it also has particular strength in work from Mexico. The firm has outstanding connections to key underwriters and Latin American issuers (including FIBRAs in Mexico), and is frequently engaged to advise on sovereign bond offerings, including sustainability-linked and green bond offerings. It is also recognised for bond restructurings and liability management transactions. Todd Crider is head of the Latin America practice and has many years' experience in capital markets offerings from the region, including SEC-registered transactions. Leader of the Sao Paulo office Grenfel Calheiros has an outstanding record on Brazil offerings and recent SPAC vehicle transactions. Juan Francisco Méndez and senior counsel Kirsten Davis are also immensely experienced members of the team, the former having a prolific 2022 with a string of headline engagements. Juan Naveira is an increasingly prominent practitioner in the market, along with Paulo Fernando de Menezes Cardoso in Sao Paulo. Jaime Mercado has retired from the partnership but remains of counsel at the firm.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a core team of six Latin America specialist partners across its New York and Sao Paulo offices. The partners all focus on corporate and M&A transactions to varying degrees and have built a commanding presence in the market. Beyond this dedicated Latin America group, the firm has a range of partners that also lead or support transactions in the region. The Latin America team continues to set the benchmark in bulge-bracket private equity transactions, building on the firm’s global status in this field. It also stands out for its record in M&A, especially in the financial services sector, along with transactions in the energy and technology fields. Recent mandates include advising Stonepeak Infrastructure partners on its $2.7bn acquisition of the Latin America business of Lumen Technologies, and KKR on its agreement with Telefónica to establish Colombia’s first independent nationwide open-access wholesale digital infrastructure company. Along with its historical strength in cross-border investments into Latin America, the team is also increasingly active in outbound transactions into North America. A case in point was the team’s advice to The Fresh Market (and its controlling shareholders), on the $1.56bn sale of a 67% stake to South American retailer, Cencosud. Todd Crider leads the Latin America group and divides his time between New York and Sao Paulo, often advising on some of the largest and most high-profile deals in the market. Juan Naveira is a recognised Latin America M&A specialist and Juan Francisco Méndez is another senior practitioner with a fine reputation in M&A. Grenfel Calheiros is a big player in Sao Paulo, while up-coming figure Borja Marcos was promoted to partner in January 2023. Former partner Jaime Mercado has become of counsel. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise. Since publication, the Sao Paulo-based team has been further strengthened with the promotion of senior associate Luiz Felipe Noronha to counsel - effective as of November 2023.  

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance Tier 2

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a long history in Latin America and a substantial team spread across its New York and São Paulo offices. The firm has worked hard to bring through a new generation of Latin America-focused partners in recent years and the Latin America group has -in turn- successfully leveraged the firm’s global standing in banking and finance transactions. The practice has an outstanding record in syndicated loans and acquisition finance, and evidences an especially strong record in the Southern Cone. Of late, it has worked on financings for some of Latin America’s largest corporates as well as routinely advising many of the world’s leading banks on financings in the region. Members of the core Latin America group are versatile practitioners, operating across multiple practice areas, although both Juan Naveira and Juan Francisco Méndez are particularly noted for syndicated loans and acquisition financings. The wider firm features banking and finance practitioners that also work on Latin America financings, including a team that advised JP Morgan on LATAM Airlines Group’s $3.7bn DIP term loan agreement. January 2023 saw the retirement of Jaime Mercado as a partner (although he remains at the firm as an of counsel); and the promotion of Borja Marcos – who has a strong record in Latin America financings – to the partnership. Named individuals are based in New York.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy Tier 3

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s core group of Latin America specialists leverages its extensive connections to lenders, sponsors and investors in transactions right across the region. It has an impressive record in the Southern Cone, Andean Region and -more recently- in smaller economies such as Panama and Costa Rica. It has gained further accolades for its work in energy and infrastructure M&A, including its representation of Chile’s SAAM on the sale of its shipping terminal and logistics business in South America, Central America and Florida to Hapag-Lloyd. It is also active in private equity investments into Latin America infrastructure assets, notably advising KKR on a series of fibre optic infrastructure investments. Capital markets fundraisings by energy and infrastructure businesses is another feature of the practice, including offerings to finance major projects. Splitting his time between New York and São Paulo, Todd Crider leads the Latin America team and remains active in M&A and private equity transactions. New York’s Juan Francisco Méndez is also a key partner. Since publication, the team has been further strengthened with the hire of Gabriel Silva (best know for his experience in the digital infrastructure projects segment) from Vinson & Elkins LLP in November 2023.