Simpson Thacher has a preeminent practice in the area of private funds.  The Firm represents registered and unregistered sponsors of a wide variety of private equity funds, hedge funds, real estate funds, distressed debt funds, venture capital funds, fund-of-funds and other types of funds pursuing “alternative investment” strategies.  We also represent many sophisticated investors in these funds.

The Firm's services include fund formation work for many of the best-known private fund sponsors, including those associated with larger financial services firms as well as independent “boutique” firms.   We also routinely structure our clients’ internal arrangements and employee investment arrangements, and have substantial experience in negotiating strategic investments in private investment firms and secondary transfers of private fund investments. With private funds attorneys in our offices worldwide, the practice is global in scope and we offer U.S. and English law capability in advising private funds focused on virtually every geographic area of the world.

Simpson Thacher’s practice is multidisciplinary and closely integrated with the rest of the Firm.  Our M&A, tax, ERISA, securities regulatory and banking specialists are expert in the issues in their areas relating to private funds, and attorneys in the funds practice work closely with their colleagues in executing fund investment transactions.

We believe that our knowledge of custom and practice in the private funds marketplace is unsurpassed. Through our representation of a diverse group of fund sponsors and investors, we have developed particular insight into the terms and structures for various types of funds.  As a result, we believe we bring a unique degree of experience to bear in providing practical advice to our clients.