The Legal 500

Within M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, 250m+, tier 6

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s global M&A and private equity brand continues to deliver some leading mandates to its European practice, and with Adam Signy well settled in, its UK law practice is going from strength to strength. As well as handling its usual mix of mandates for KKR and Blackstone, it advised China Railways Materials Commercial Corporation on the acquisition of its 12.5% equity stake in African Minerals.

Within M&A: US law capability, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a first tier firm,

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s strength in advising the leading private equity houses in Europe remains unchallenged, with Greg Conway and Michael Wolfson very highly regarded by peers. The team acted on a raft of high-profile mandates, including advising JP Morgan Securities as financial adviser to Deutsche Borse in its combination with NYSE Euronext.

Within Private equity: transactions , tier 4

Leveraging off its excellent ties in the US with private equity giants KKR and Blackstone, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s London practice is an increasingly strong force in its own right. Following its high-profile representation of KKR on its acquisition of Pets at Home, led by the ‘excellent’ Adam Signy and Alvaro Gomez de Membrillera, the team advised the same client on its acquisition of Grupo Inaer from Italian private equity firm InvestIndustrial. Managing partner Gregory Conway heads the team.

Within Acquisition finance, tier 5

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s small team punches above its weight, acting for blue-ribbon private equity sponsors such as KKR and Blackstone. The ‘exceptional’ Ian Barratt has ‘very deep technical knowledge’, and recently advised Apax Partners on the financing of its acquisition of Takko Fashion from Advent International.

Within Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans , tier 5

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is experienced in advising banks and corporates on syndicated corporate borrowing and recapitalisations.

Within Debt capital markets, tier 6

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s Nicholas Shaw advised the lead underwriters on Virgin Media’s $1bn secured notes issue.

Within High yield, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a second tier firm,

Nicholas Shaw at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is ‘one of the best practitioners’ in the London market. He and London managing partner Gregory Conway led a team advising JP Morgan and a consortium of banks as initial purchasers of €170m senior secured notes offered by CET 21. The firm acts for institutions such as Goldman Sachs, KKR and Deutsche Bank, and also for issuers. Alvaro Membrillera was promoted to partner.

Within Investment funds, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a third tier firm,

Clifford Chance’s funds practice has changed dramatically, losing several key partners; the superb Jason Glover joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in January 2011, and in June 2011 Weil, Gotshal & Manges hired Ed Gander, Nick Benson, Nigel Clark and Jonathan Kandel to found its new fund formation team. Nigel Hatfield remains, and provides private equity and real estate fund clients – including Legal & General and Pramerica – with ‘excellent, commercially oriented advice that draws on his deep knowledge of both his subject and the market’; and Stephen Fox is also ‘particularly impressive’.

Within Overview,

US firms also continue to feature prominently, in the corporate restructuring, acquisition finance and high yield rankings in particular. White & Case LLP can lay claim to having the broadest finance offering, while other firms featuring in multiple rankings include Weil, Gotshal & Manges, which recently picked up a four-partner investment funds team from Clifford Chance; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP; Kirkland & Ellis International LLP; and Shearman & Sterling LLP. Other strong performers are Bingham McCutchen (London) LLP, which moves up to the top tier for corporate restructuring in recognition of its market-leading bondholder practice; and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, which excels in leveraged finance, advising the likes of KKR and Blackstone.