The large, complex matters clients typically bring to Simpson Thacher require teamwork, often with several practice areas sharing knowledge. This is a vivid example of our core strength: the power of teamwork.

We approach teamwork through several channels: our professional development philosophy is to develop the complete lawyer; we take mentoring seriously; we even assign offices not according to department or practice, but by choice.

But in the final analysis, it’s the nature of the practice itself that demands it.

Wonda M. Joseph
On Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits

"I work on all aspects of complex executive compensation plans, employment contracts and employee benefit plans. Because every corporate transaction raises employee-related issues, lawyers in my group work closely with our colleagues in the Corporate department.

"I tend to work primarily with the Firm’s M&A lawyers. My job is to handle deal-related diligence in the areas of executive compensation and employee benefit plans, and to draft and negotiate compensation arrangements, such as employment agreements and equity grant documents in connection with these deals. I am also involved in securities and credit transactions, primarily in reviewing, drafting and negotiating disclosure materials and provisions of credit agreements.

"Working across practice areas has been a tremendous learning experience. I have learned so much about the larger ramifications of the work we do and why it is so important to our clients. There are personal rewards as well: I have gotten to know many people at the Firm that I otherwise might never have met."

Scott A. Sukenick
On Intellectual Property

"I spend most of my time working on patent litigation in the pharmaceutical, health care and biotechnology industries. But my work extends beyond dispute resolution. I also advise lawyers and clients in the Firm's Corporate department on the intellectual property aspects of mergers and acquisitions; securities, corporate finance, and banking/credit transactions; and general licensing issues.

"It has been incredibly educational for me to see legal issues from both the corporate and litigation perspectives. For example, because I know that poorly drafted agreements can give rise to lawsuits down the line, I am particularly sensitive to potential ambiguities when drafting and reviewing licensing agreements for corporate clients. There is no question that the cross-practice nature of my work has made me a better lawyer."

Alison R. Fagen
On Real Estate

"My work involves all aspects of high dollar-value real estate transactions. The Firm’s Real Estate group is often involved in the negotiation and financing aspects of headline-making deals. We also structure real estate transactions in the most advantageous manner for our clients, and draft all necessary documents.

"Due to their size and complexity, the real estate transactions we handle require a collaborative effort by attorneys specializing in different practice areas. Our real estate deal teams almost always include lawyers from the Firm's Tax, M&A, Credit, Labor and ERISA groups. My work is just one piece of a very complicated puzzle. To get my job done, I depend on my colleagues to do their parts in a careful and timely manner. The experience has taught me a great deal about the importance of teamwork, strong communication and respect for attorneys in other practice areas."

Andrew M. Lacy
On Antitrust

"One of the most interesting and challenging features of being an associate in the Antitrust group at Simpson is the aspect of our work that straddles the Corporate and Litigation departments. Our job is to advise clients on the regulatory aspects of proposed mergers and acquisitions. Even when a deal has achieved approval from the parties involved, it cannot go forward without clearance from the necessary antitrust authorities. This is where the antitrust team comes into play. During the early phases of a proposed merger, we assess the viability of the deal from a regulatory perspective and then work jointly with our M&A colleagues to advise the client accordingly on the structure of the deal. The regulatory risk of the transaction often shapes the terms of the deal significantly and can become a focal point of negotiations. It’s tremendously exciting to be in the middle of it all.

"Working in this collaborative manner requires me to think outside of my practice area, in order to help clients understand the implications of antitrust law for their business. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know lawyers outside of my group. The interdisciplinary nature of the work I do is definitely one of the most enjoyable aspects of my life here at Simpson."

Neera Stacy
On Personal Planning

"I advise high-net-worth clients on complex estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable giving, retirement planning and issues relating to foreign individuals, assets and entities. My practice focuses on designing and implementing sophisticated estate planning structures designed to achieve the preservation and transmission of wealth in a tax-efficient manner and a client's other goals. My clients range from principals of private equity and hedge funds to fiduciaries of estates and trusts.

"An exciting part of my practice is the interaction I have with lawyers in other practice areas, including Corporate, Exempt Organizations, Tax, and Real Estate. For example, I routinely work with corporate lawyers in the Private Equity group to enable the fund principals to make transfers of fund interests in a tax-efficient manner. I also collaborate with my colleagues in the Securities group to establish programs for pre-IPO estate planning.

"Thanks to the inter-disciplinary nature of my work, I enjoy all of the benefits of working in an intimately-sized department, yet I am regularly involved in the types of high-profile transactions that only a firm of Simpson’s size and breadth can handle. It’s an amazing balance."