Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP today announced that Barrie Covit and Jonathan Karen have been named as Co-Heads of the Firm’s Investment Funds Practice.
They succeed highly distinguished funds lawyer Michael Wolitzer, who will transition to Chair of Funds and Funds Adjacencies. Michael led the practice for nearly a decade, during a period of sustained, market-outpacing growth.
“Barrie and Jonathan are among the world’s most respected funds lawyers, advising sophisticated sponsors on the formation and execution of groundbreaking investment funds. They are also experienced leaders and will be an asset to clients and colleagues in their new role,” said Alden Millard, Chair of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee. “On behalf of Simpson Thacher, we thank Michael for his leadership and outsized contributions to the remarkable success of the Investment Funds Practice during his tenure, and we look forward to his continued guidance.”
Top-ranked by Chambers USA and The Legal 500, Barrie and Jonathan both advise sponsors on the establishment of market-defining investment funds and on other facets of alternative asset management. Their work spans numerous asset classes, including buyout, credit, distressed, energy, financial services, infrastructure, real estate, secondaries and special situations, among others. They also advise investment firms on internal economic arrangements for private fund sponsors, regulatory compliance, M&A transactions and strategic investments involving private fund sponsors, joint ventures and spinouts, among many other matters. Both Barrie and Jonathan have been recognized by Law360 as “MVPs” in Fund Formation and are prolific thought leaders in the investment funds space.
“Sponsors are looking for differentiators in terms of asset classes, and they are looking for tactics that help maximize their growth and flexibility to address changing markets,” said Barrie. “Simpson Thacher is the foremost advisor to alternative asset managers given our expertise in creating bespoke solutions and strategies that help clients achieve their goals. We are honored and excited to take up the mantle in leading this outstanding team,” said Jonathan.
Simpson Thacher’s Investment Funds Practice is perennially ranked among the best in the world by Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, IFLR and many others. The multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive advice to most of the leading public diversified alternative asset managers as well as hundreds of independent firms. The team has advised on the formation of more $10+ billion funds than any other law firm according to Preqin and advised on five of the top 10 private equity funds raised in 2024. It offers deep market knowledge and creative, tailored advice covering the full spectrum of private funds, including buyout, growth/venture capital, credit, secondaries, infrastructure, energy and real estate. The team is also at the vanguard of the industry in providing commercially driven transactional advice on a broad range of fund-related transactions, including GP-stake investments, traditional and synthetic secondaries, structured funds products, continuation vehicles and other deals designed to provide sponsors with flexibility and liquidity.
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