Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises private equity firms on fund formation, acquisitions, investment structuring, financing, and exit transactions. The firm handles complex buyouts, growth investments, and strategic M&A, providing legal expertise across regulatory, tax, and transactional matters. Marni Lerner leads the team in New York, drawing on a broad skill set to advise private equity firms such as KKR, Charlesbank, and Integrum on multi-billion-dollar acquisitions and investments. Co-head Elizabeth Cooper remains a key adviser to Blackstone, Silver Lake, and New Mountain Capital, recently overseeing transactions across the healthcare, retail, media and entertainment, and professional services sectors. Atif Azher is recognised for his expertise in public and private M&A, bolstering his transactional practice with strength in corporate governance and financial advisory matters. Anthony Vernace, another key adviser to Blackstone, is noted for his sector-spanning capabilities and ability to handle high-stakes domestic and cross-border M&A. Naveed Anwar and Michael Holick represent a range of financial sponsors and their portfolio companies on acquisitions, investments, and disposals, while Sven Mickisch joined from Skadden in March 2024. The team saw several departures in 2024, with Sebastian Tiller departing in October, Justin Rosenberg, in April, and Jihyun Chung in June.