Many of the iconic names in the private equity industry rely on Simpson Thacher as their trusted advisor. Pioneers of the industry turned to us in their earliest days to help them develop the legal framework for their organizations, fundraising and evolving investment strategies. As the industry has evolved into the “alternative asset management” business, a vibrant source of capital and value creation, we have helped our clients create new financial structures and execute many landmark transactions.
Today, our private equity clients seek the Firm’s advice across the spectrum of their own structuring and investing activities—from fund formation, acquisitions and fund liquidity strategies (including fund-level initial public offerings and debt financings)—to structuring their funds’ investments across numerous asset classes and financing those investments at all levels of the capital structure. The Firm advises financial sponsors and their portfolio companies regarding optimal financing solutions, management equity structures and other employee issues, tax strategies, corporate governance and dispute resolution. We also advise on exit strategies, including sales of stock or assets, IPOs, spin-offs and dividend recapitalizations.
We provide thoughtful, tailored solutions to the wide range of clients involved in private equity, including:
- Financial sponsors, their funds and their portfolio companies
- Management
- Investors
- Senior and subordinated bank and bridge lenders
- Underwriters and financial advisors
- Boards and Special Committees
Our clients include the world’s largest private equity sponsors, such as Apax, Apollo, Blackstone, Carlyle, CVC, EQT, First Reserve, Hellman & Friedman, KKR and Silver Lake, as well as a large number of middle-market funds and independent boutique firms. We have also represented many well-known private foundations and major universities in their fund investments.
Our strength across practice areas enables us to offer clients seamlessly integrated cross-disciplinary groups of practitioners able to execute efficiently on highly complex matters involving multiple disciplines and geographies. Our breadth and depth of experience gives us comprehensive knowledge of the latest market terms, fund technology and investment considerations, enabling us to anticipate issues, provide value-added advice and ensure smooth and efficient execution. Of particular benefit to our clients is the strength of our acquisition finance practice, including our bank financing and high yield platforms, complemented by our Tax and Employee Benefits practitioners. As our clients’ businesses have evolved, so too has our ability to serve them in new markets and new products. Our heritage, as well as our synergistic experience across transaction types, industries and regions, has made Simpson Thacher the preeminent legal advisor in this field.