Sophie Staples > Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Based in New York, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises multinationals, investment funds, and banks on tax matters related to major financings, capital markets and M&A transactions, and restructurings. The team also provides tax advice to international real estate investment funds. Co-head of the tax practice Nancy Mehlman is noted for her work in tax matters involving fund formation and investments, and is especially strong advising tax-exempt organizations such as universities and private foundations. Marcy Geller has been promoted to co-head and covers REITs, M&A, and fund formation. She works alongside Russell Light, a specialist in tax matters related to M&A, REITs, and SPACs, as well as Sophie Staples, an expert in M&A, dispositions, and divestitures. Jonathan Goldstein is a key resource for private investment fund formation and tax aspects of M&A. Additionally, international tax planning advisor Benjamin Rippeon joined from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in March 2021.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is consistently sought out by a myriad of household name corporates, private equity houses, and banks for its capabilities in major corporate transactions and financings. The team is especially renowned for its fund formation practice, handling many of the largest fundraisings in recent years for some of the biggest names in the space. Jointly spearheading the practice from New York are Nancy Mehlman, a seasoned corporate tax lawyer with significant experience acting for private equity houses, and Marcy Geller, whose broad practice encompasses M&A, REITs, and corporate restructurings. Jonathan Goldstein specializes in private investment fund formations and financial institution tax advisory, while Russell Light‘s recent highlights include big-ticket SPACs and investments in the healthcare and technology sectors. Andrew Purcell handles multi-billion dollar spin-offs for some of the largest global players in the tech sector, while Washington DC-based Benjamin Rippeon, who joined from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in March 2021, is noted for his fluency in REIT and sovereign wealth fund matters. Clients praise Sophie Staples for her ‘attentive, focused, and knowledgeable’ approach to a broad spectrum of transactions, including joint ventures and securities offerings. All named lawyers are based in New York unless stated otherwise.