Simpson Thacher

Simpson Thacher

Simpson Thacher is a major New York City law firm known for high-profile work in corporate transactions, litigation, and finance. The firm has played roles in landmark deals and matters involving firms and institutions across Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and global markets. Simpson Thacher's client base and alumni network intersect with major law firms, investment banks, private equity funds, technology companies, and regulatory bodies.

History

Founded in 1884 in New York City by partners trained in 19th-century American practice, the firm expanded through Gilded Age finance and the rise of modern corporate law. Over the 20th century Simpson Thacher advised clients during episodes such as the Panic of 1907, the expansion of New York Stock Exchange listings, and regulatory reforms tied to the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The firm advised on major mergers and acquisitions during postwar consolidation among conglomerates like General Electric and AT&T, and later played prominent roles in privatizations, leveraged buyouts with firms like KKR and Blackstone, and initial public offerings for companies such as AOL, Facebook, Google, and Alibaba Group. In the 21st century Simpson Thacher worked on cross-border transactions involving institutions such as Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and sovereign entities engaged with the International Monetary Fund and multinational regulators.

Practice Areas

Simpson Thacher's principal practices include transactional work in Mergers and acquisitions, Private equity, Capital markets, and Banking and finance. The firm represents issuers and underwriters in offerings on exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ, and counsels on debt financings tied to banks including Citigroup and Barclays. Litigation and dispute resolution teams litigate matters in forums like the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and international arbitration institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce and the London Court of International Arbitration. Simpson Thacher maintains practices in regulatory counseling related to agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice (United States), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and provides tax, employment, and intellectual property advice to clients including Apple Inc., Microsoft, Amazon (company), Tesla, Inc., and media conglomerates like Disney.

Notable Alumni and Partners

Alumni and partners have moved between the firm and influential positions in finance, government, and industry. Former attorneys have joined or led firms such as Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, and Davis Polk & Wardwell; others have served at institutions including Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, and KKR. Notable individuals have taken roles in public service at the United States Department of the Treasury, the United States Department of Justice, and as federal judges on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and federal district courts. Partners and alumni have joined corporate boards at ExxonMobil, Pfizer, Boeing, and Walmart, and have been involved with philanthropic entities like the Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. The firm’s network includes counsel who have represented major transactions for companies such as IBM, Intel, Oracle Corporation, Cisco Systems, and Netflix.

Offices and Global Presence

Headquartered in New York City, the firm maintains offices in financial and commercial centers including London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, São Paulo, Munich, and other cities. These offices handle cross-border transactions involving markets such as the European Union, the People's Republic of China, and the Republic of India, coordinating with international banks like Deutsche Bank, Credit Suisse, and UBS. The firm’s global presence supports work on multijurisdictional matters involving trade and regulatory regimes tied to institutions like the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and regional authorities in Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

Simpson Thacher engages in pro bono representation in matters before bodies such as the Supreme Court of the United States, immigration courts under the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and civil rights cases in state courts. The firm partners with nonprofit organizations including Legal Aid Society, American Civil Liberties Union, and shelters affiliated with Habitat for Humanity and engages in volunteer work supporting educational institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and community programs run by municipal agencies in New York City. Pro bono matters have included asylum and refugee representation, veterans’ benefits appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and nonprofit governance advice for charities governed under state laws such as those of Delaware and California.

Category:Law firms based in New York City