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Jonathan Karen

Jonathan Karen

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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

United States • Investment fund formation and management

1

Private equity funds (including venture capital)

Handling matters involving some of the largest investment funds in the US, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises private equity firms and asset managers, including alternative asset managers,. While demonstrating strength in fund transactions, the group particularly stands out for its fund formation within secondaries and its management of secondaries transactions, for which Lauren King is well reputed as well as practice head Michael Wolitzer, whose strength also lies in secondary transactions as well as private investing. Jordan Cross, who is described as ‘commercial and solutions focused’ is another key figure in the team. Other core areas of expertise for the group are the formation of infrastructure and real estate funds, for which Barrie Covit and Jonathan Karen stand out, but work also extends to venture capital funds and other private funds. This versatility of knowledge of different asset classes is encapsulated by Jason Herman, whose expertise spans credits credit and real estate funds. All team members mentioned are located in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
+1-212-455-3274
Email
[email protected]
Profile
stblaw.com

Profile

Work Department
Corporate/Private Funds/Investment Funds
Position

Co-Head of Simpson Thacher's Investment Funds Practice, Jonathan has led recent efforts in industry’s most successful and market-defining private equity fund formations across multiple asset classes, including buyout, real estate and infrastructure. Notable formations include Blackstone’s most recent flagship opportunistic global real estate, corporate private equity and core private equity funds, and Silver Lake, Stonepeak Infrastructure, Rockpoint Real Estate and Centerbridge Partners in each of their flagship and ancillary funds. Jonathan also counsels investment firms on a mix of matters involving private investment funds, including internal economic arrangements for private fund sponsors, regulatory compliance, M&A transactions and strategic investments involving private fund sponsors, joint ventures and spin-outs.

Notably, Jonathan was recognized as Fund Formation “MVP” by Law360 in 2023 and 2021.

Career

Joined Firm, 2001; Partner, 2011.

Education

B.A., cum laude, Duke University (1998); J.D., New York University School of Law (2001).

Content supplied by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is always fully staffed across multiple practice areas which are relevant for our transactions. These teams work together seamlessly to deliver complex solutions.'
  • 'They have partners who are very responsive, on top of all the details, and a pleasure to work with.'
  • 'The team are real industry experts. They provide exceptional commercial advice.'
  • 'Jordan Cross is commercial and solutions focused.'
  • 'I think that the breadth and depth of the team are terrific. Moreover, I’m particularly impressed with the focus on secondary transactions. Lauren King is one of the best lawyers I’ve worked with and is a formidable presence in her generation of the industry.'
  • 'Lauren King is a rising leader in private equity secondaries.'

Key clients

  • American Industrial Partners
  • Benefit Street Partners
  • Blackstone
  • The Carlyle Group
  • Intermediate Capital Group
  • KSL Capital
  • Lexington Capital Partners
  • Pretium
  • Prime Finance
  • Riverwood Capital
  • Rockpoint
  • Rubicon Investment Partners

Work highlights

Representing Lexington Partners in the establishment of the $22.7 billion Lexington Capital Partners X, and associated vehicles.
Representing Silver Lake in the establishment of its $20.5 billion seventh buyout fund, Silver Lake Partners VII.
Representing of Blackstone in the establishment of its $22 billion Blackstone Senior Direct Lending Fund.