Simpson Thacher attorneys contributed to the 2026 edition of Lexology Panoramic: Private Equity, which examined global private equity M&A and fundraising activity throughout the past year, including macroeconomic and geopolitical developments that impacted the markets and provided an outlook for the rest of the year.
Partner Atif Azher served as the contributing editor for this edition and co‑authored the “Global Overview” with Partners Peter Gilman, Fred de Albuquerque and Jessica O’Connell, along with Associates Russell Reed, Abby Kieker, Henry Litwhiler and Allison Abney. The authors note that global M&A activity surged in 2025, with deal value rising to an estimated $4.9 trillion—its strongest level since 2021—driven by interest rate cuts, AI‑fueled momentum, and robust increases in megadeals, cross‑border transactions, technology sector activity and private equity participation.
Partners Robert Lee, Owen Lysak and Matt Feehily co-authored the “United Kingdom” chapter for the “Fund Formation” section, while Peter, Jessica, Russell and Henry co-wrote the “United States” chapter.
In the “Transactions” section, the “United Kingdom” chapter was co-authored by Partners Clare Gaskell, Amy Mahon, Yash Rupal, Shahpur Kabraji and Josh Buckland, while Atif, Fred, Abby and Allison co-wrote the “United States” chapter.
To read the Simpson Thacher-authored chapters, please click here.