Mr Craig Waldman > Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.

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.