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.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The lawyers with whom we work at Simpson are subject matter experts and provide timely, practical advice that allows the Company to make risk-based decisions. Their advice is neither too conservative nor too permissive/expansive, which helps enormously when I am trying to evaluate the risk presented by a particular course of action or decision. They help define the risk continuum and its consequences.’
‘Particularly as it relates to securities litigation, Pete Kazanoff is exceptional in terms of practicality in staffing and approach. He is keenly aware of the need to balance doing what needs to be done to protect the Company with the cost/benefit of doing so. Sara Razi is very similar in her approach to antitrust matters.’
‘STB is a litigation powerhouse, both inside Delaware and outside of it.’
‘Peter Kazanoff and Janet Gochman are extremely talented, effective and practical attorneys, who understand how to secure the optimal outcome for their clients rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach to litigation.’
Key clients
- The Blackstone Group L.P.
- Change Healthcare
- GI Partners
- Gramercy Property Trust
- Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
- Multiplan Corporation
- Paramount Global
- Phoenix Tower International
- Silver Lake Partners
- Sirius XM Holdings Inc.
Work highlights
- Acted for Paramount Global in matters arising out of the merger between CBS and Viacom.
- Secured motion to dismiss in a fiduciary duty litigation against DigitalBridge and IFM.
- Represented Sirius XM Holdings Inc. and certain of its officers and directors in litigation arising out of its $3.5 billion acquisition of Pandora.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Stephen Blake
Craig Waldman
Practice head
Lynn Neuner; Jonathan Youngwood
Other key lawyers
Peter Kazanoff; Stephen Blake; Craig Waldman; James Kreissman; Sara Razi