With an emphasis on sponsor-side work, the New York-based team at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is led by Alexandra Kaplan and Brian Steinhardt, and is trusted by major PE funds, corporate borrowers and portfolio companies to handle large acquisition finance, infrastructure and project finance. With a strong track record handling debt financing arrangements in sectors like real estate, manufacturing, technology, healthcare and hospitality, the group includes David Teh, who leads on alternative capital deals, and Brian Gluck, who comes recommended for sponsored acquisition financing deals and is well-versed in fund level financing, refinancing and liability management transactions and more. Eli Isak tackles bank and bridge loan financing as well as restructuring, recapitalizations and LMEs. Katherine Reaves joined from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in November 2024, focusing on acquisition financing for corporate borrowers and sponsors, an area where Christopher Brown is also a key contact.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Simpson Thacher & Bartlett team consists of very sophisticated, smart, well-rounded attorneys. They are very responsive and operate at a high level.’
‘Brian Steinhardt is wonderful to work across from - he is smart, communicates well and a hard (but fair) negotiator. He always takes the time to understand the issues and he has built a strong team of junior partners as well. On the junior-side, Dorothy Hector is fantastic - thoughtful, hardworking and easy to work with. Catherine Burns and Eli Isak are also strong junior partners.'
'Best in the business. They are on every deal, so well respected by counsel on the other side. Always available.'
Key clients
- Apax Partners
- BlackRock
- Blue Owl
- Brookfield
- Centerbridge
- Cushman & Wakefield
- DigitalBridge
- EQT
- Goldman Sachs
- Hellman & Friedman
- Integrum
- KKR
Work highlights
Represented KKR in the financing related to its acquisition, with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, of a 45% equity interest in Sempra Infrastructure Partners.
Represented Zayo Group, backed by DigitalBridge and EQT, in connection with the financing related to the announced acquisition of Crown Castle’s Fiber Solutions business, valued at approximately $4.25 billion.
Represented Silver Lake Partners in connection with the financing related to its acquisition of Endeavor Group Holdings with an equity value of $13 billion and a $25 billion enterprise value.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Alexandra Kaplan; Brian Steinhardt
Other key lawyers
David Teh; Brian Gluck; Eli Isak; Katherine Reaves; Christopher Brown; Patrick Ryan; William Sheehan; Elizabeth Cooper; Catherine Burns; John Ilardo; Dorothy Hector