Amanda K. Allexon - Partner

Amanda K. Allexon combines nearly a decade of service at the Federal Reserve Board and robust private practice experience to provide domestic and foreign financial institutions and investors with sophisticated, commercial advice on the full spectrum of transactional, governance, regulatory and supervisory matters, including complex high-profile mergers and acquisitions. She routinely represents clients before the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and U.S. state banking regulators. She also advises on private equity investments involving banks and bank holding companies, and Volcker Rule issues.

David W. Blass - Partner

Based in our Washington, D.C. office, David Blass is a Partner in the Firm’s Investment Funds Practice. David is a leading regulatory lawyer in the funds industry and has advised on matters involving innovative registered funds products, Investment Advisers Act compliance, SEC examination and enforcement matters, and broker-dealer regulatory compliance.  He is uniquely qualified to provide strategic and regulatory advice on matters involving asset management  firms and broker-dealers. 

David has extensive knowledge of the regulatory requirements of the asset management industry having  served as General Counsel of the Investment Company Institute, the trade association for registered investment funds.  He also held senior roles for over a decade at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, most recently as Chief Counsel and Associate Director in the Division of Trading and Markets, where he oversaw broker-dealer regulation and large aspects of FINRA’s regulatory program.  David was the Associate General Counsel for the SEC where he was responsible for Dodd-Frank Act implementation, among many other programmatic areas.  He also held a senior role in the SEC’s Division of Investment Management, leading the office regulating registered investment advisers, including advisers to private funds.

Chambers Global reports that clients say he is an “excellent regulatory lawyer” who is both “very knowledgeable and easy to work with.” David was notably named “Independent Counsel of the Year” by Fund Intelligence’s Mutual Fund Industry & ETF Awards in 2021.

Joshua Ford Bonnie - Partner Co-Head of the Firm’s Global Capital Markets Practice, Co-Managing Partner of the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office, and a member of the Executive Committee, Josh Bonnie is one of the preeminent IPO lawyers in the nation and regularly counsels public companies on spin-offs and other significant strategic transactions, capital markets offerings and general corporate and securities law matters. Josh’s transactional experience also includes business combinations involving special purpose acquisition companies. Josh has been featured in The American Lawyer’s “Dealmakers of the Year,” is recognized in Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and is endorsed by PLC Which Lawyer?. Josh was recently added to The Legal 500’s “Hall of Fame” for Capital Markets: Equity Offerings in recognition of his role as one of the leading capital markets practitioners in the United States.

Nathan Briggs - Partner

A Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Registered Funds Practice, Nathan Briggs advises registered investment vehicles, investment advisers and independent directors across the full spectrum of formation, transactional, governance and compliance issues. These range from new product offerings and follow-on offerings, proxy contests and fund mergers and consolidations to ongoing compliance and governance matters. He advises sponsors with respect to, among other products, listed closed-end funds, interval funds, tender offer funds, REITs and business development companies in connection with the establishment, registration, reorganization and operation of retail and institutional investment products.

Ryan Brizek - Partner

A Partner in the Firm’s Registered Funds Practice, Ryan Brizek focuses his practice on transactional and regulatory matters involving regulated funds, with a particular focus on making private markets investment strategies accessible to public investors. Ryan advises clients on the formation and operation of investment funds designed for retail and high net worth investors, including tender offer funds, interval funds, listed closed-end funds, business development companies, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. He also provides strategic investment management regulatory advice to asset management firms in M&A transactions and serves as transaction counsel to registered funds and their underwriters in capital markets transactions. Ryan is recognized as Highly Regarded for Registered Funds by IFLR1000 and was named a “Rising Star” at the 2019 Mutual Fund Industry Awards.

Christopher Brown - Partner

Chris Brown concentrates his practice on banking and finance. He has represented private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as public and private companies, in a wide variety of secured lending and other financing transactions. In addition, Chris has worked for many clients on matters involving general secured finance issues, debt restructurings and related corporate issues. His clients have included AEA Investors, Allegion, Alterra Mountain Company, AMG, Angeles Equity Partners, Beach Point Capital Management, Best Buy, BlackRock, Blackstone, Blommer Chocolate, Cimpress, Evercore Partners, Cohen & Steers, Francisco Partners, Frontdoor, Goldman Sachs, Hershey, Ingersoll Rand, JLL Partners, KSL Capital Partners, Microsoft, New Mountain Capital, Primavera Capital Partners, Riverstone, Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, QuarterNorth Energy, Twitter and ZoomInfo.

Rajib Chanda - Partner

Hailed as a “Trailblazer” by the American Lawyer for his legal contributions to the democratization of access by ordinary investors to private markets investments, Rajib heads Simpson Thacher’s Registered Funds practice and is Co-Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office. Rajib has helped design investment products that have been publicly referred to as “revolutionary,” “category-killing” and “the fund innovation of the year.” Rajib also advises firms on M&A transactions in the asset management industry (acquisitions, minority investments and joint ventures). Rajib regularly represents the leading asset management firms in the US, including recent representations of Angelo Gordon, Apollo, BC Partners, Benefit Street Partners, Blackstone, Blue Owl, Carlyle, Cohen & Steers, Coller Capital, Golub Associates, JPMorgan Asset Management, KKR, New Mountain, Onex Credit, Sixth Street Partners, SkyBridge Capital and Starwood Capital Group, among many others.

Toby Chun - Partner

As Co-Head of the Environmental Practice, Toby Chun focuses on the environmental aspects of complex, and often cross-border, transactions. Recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500 and others, he has developed deep experience in advising a diverse range of businesses across numerous industries in the United States and around the world. 

Jonathan L. Corsico - Partner

Jonathan Corsico leads the Firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions practice in Washington, D.C. He specializes in transactions that are unusually difficult or complicated, such as those involving significant antitrust risk or those regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  In addition to M&A, Jon also counsels clients on fund adoptions, joint ventures, forming new businesses, stockholder activism defense, corporate governance and minority investments.

Jon’s prior representations span multiple industries, from healthcare to gold mining. In particular, he has substantial experience with transactions involving asset managers, investment funds and other financial industry players. In that regard, Jon frequently works on complex hybrid transactions, that involve both M&A and investment funds components. 

Some of Jon’s recent clients include Ally Financial, Angelo Gordon, BC Partners, Blackstone, Carlyle, Castlelake, Change Healthcare, Cross Country Healthcare, Diameter Capital Partners, EJF Capital, Herc Rentals, Hilton Grand Vacations, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Mattress Firm, Meridian Capital, NewPoint Real Estate Capital, Republic Airways, Sands Capital, SkyBridge Capital, Supernova Partners and USAA. Jon has been listed in Chambers and Partners since 2018, and is described by clients as “an outstanding attorney”.  In 2016, Jon was named an M&A “Rising Star” by Law360.

Abram J. Ellis - Partner

Recognized as a “Rising Star” and “Next Generation Partner” in antitrust litigation and cartels, Abram Ellis is a Partner in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office. His practice comprises all aspects of competition law, from defending clients against complex class action antitrust litigation to helping clients obtain regulatory clearance from domestic and international competition authorities for significant transactions. Abram is particularly experienced in antitrust litigation involving complex financial instruments, the healthcare industry and employment issues. He has been recognized for his antitrust work in Benchmark Litigation and The Legal 500, where he is described as “highly regarded in the market” and “a leader in the field,” and sources say that he is “a phenomenal advisor—both on day to day advisory matters, but also on complex litigation . . . He is a star.”

In addition to his robust antitrust practice, Abram is Co-Head of the Firm’s International Trade Regulation Practice, and advises leading private equity funds, financial institutions and major corporations on regulatory and compliance matters relating to cross-border activities, including with respect to OFAC, FCPA and export matters.

Crystal L. Frierson - Partner

Crystal Frierson is a Partner in the Firm’s Private Funds Practice. She advises sponsors on the formation, structuring and management of private investment funds across a range of asset classes as well as on co-investments and separately managed accounts. She also counsels clients in respect to private investments in alternative asset managers. Crystal regularly represents some of the largest and most prominent fund sponsors including The Carlyle Group, Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman and Platinum Equity.

William R. Golden - Partner

Based in Washington, D.C., Will Golden is a Partner in the Firm’s Capital Markets Practice. Will represents issuers, private equity sponsors and underwriters in a wide range of securities offerings, including initial public offerings, follow-on and secondary equity offerings, spin-offs, high yield and investment grade debt offerings and acquisition financing transactions, as well as exchange offers and other liability management transactions. Will also advises clients on ongoing public reporting, compliance and corporate governance matters.

David J. Greene - Partner Based in our Washington, D.C. office, David J. Greene is a Partner in the Firm’s Investment Funds Practice. David’s practice focuses on private fund formation and operation, as well as related alternative assets. He has represented sponsors in their global fundraising activities including energy and infrastructure funds, natural resource funds and other private investment vehicles. David regularly publishes articles on topics relating to the private funds industry and has been recommended by The Legal 500 United States. Named a “DC Rising Star” by The National Law Journal, David was also recently recognized at Euromoney’s “Americas Rising Stars” awards for his work forming the $18.5 billion Carlyle Partners VII fund.

Steven Grigoriou - Partner

Steven Grigoriou is a Partner in the Firm’s Registered Funds Practice, where he advises a wide array of registered funds, business development companies and multinational investment advisers on a broad range of corporate transactions. He regularly represents public funds, fund sponsors, investment advisers, investment banks and other financial institutions on the design, formation and structure of investment funds and products, securities offerings, regulatory and compliance matters, as well as other corporate matters. Steven was named a “Rising Star” at the 2021 Fund Intelligence Mutual Funds Industry & ETF Awards. 

Christopher P. Healey - Partner

A Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Registered Funds Practice, Christopher frequently counsels clients on the development of innovative retail products, complex asset management M&A transactions, novel applications for SEC exemptive relief and investment company status issues under the Investment Company Act of 1940. With what clients describe as “unparalleled knowledge” (The Legal 500: United States), Christopher’s practice focuses on advising registered funds, business development companies (BDCs), investment advisers and fund boards. He has represented preeminent sponsors and investment managers such as BC Partners, Blackstone, Carlyle and First Eagle, among others. Christopher was named a “Rising Star” at Fund Intelligence’s 2020 Mutual Funds Industry and ETF Awards.

Karen Kazmerzak - Partner

A former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawyer, Karen Kazmerzak advises clients on a wide range of antitrust and competition issues, particularly in seeking clearance for high-profile, complex mergers and acquisitions before the Department of Justice and FTC, and in developing strategies to advocate for merger approval in international jurisdictions. Recognized as a leader in the field by Chambers USA and a “Litigation Star” by Euromoney’s  Benchmark Litigation, she is lauded by clients for providing “practical-minded guidance.” Karen is also recognized for her work representing third-party market participants in connection with opposition to acquisitions and in connection with government subpoenas.

Karen’s extensive private sector and government experience has spanned numerous industries, including the life sciences, energy, transportation, healthcare and telecom sectors, among many others. She also counsels clients on antitrust matters involving licensing, distribution, pricing and competitor collaborations.

Meaghan A. Kelly - Partner

Meaghan Kelly is a Partner in the Firm’s Government and Internal Investigations Practice, where she focuses on high-stakes regulatory and government investigations for financial institutions, multinational corporations, investment managers and individuals. Meaghan frequently represents public company and investment adviser clients before the Enforcement Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a key member of the Firm’s Funds Regulatory and Investigations Practice, she specializes in advising fund managers with respect to SEC examinations and routinely provides fund managers with practical and timely solutions to compliance, governance and disclosure questions. Meaghan also advises on enforcement and compliance matters related to digital assets. She has significant experience representing clients with respect to derivative actions and other high-profile disputes. Meaghan was recently named to Global Investigation Review’s 2020 “40 Under 40,” which profiles 40 leading young investigations specialists from around the world. In 2023, she received the Burton Award for Distinguished Legal Writing. 

Jeffrey H. Knox - Partner

Jeff Knox, former head of the U.S. DOJ Fraud Section, is Co-Managing Partner of Simpson Thacher’s Washington, D.C. office and Global Co-Head of the Firm’s Government and Internal Investigations Practice. He represents multinational corporations and independent board committees in high-stakes investigations by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, CFPB, and other federal and state enforcement regulators. He has advised some of the world’s leading financial institutions, energy companies, life sciences companies, and technology firms in navigating criminal and civil investigations relating to the FCPA, securities and accounting fraud, market manipulation, False Claims Act, antitrust, international money laundering, economic sanctions, and environmental crimes. Jeff also represents senior executives, in their individual capacity, who are subjects of enforcement investigations. Jeff has served as a government-appointed independent compliance consultant, and represents companies in government and court-mandated monitorships. Prior to joining the Firm, Jeff served as a federal prosecutor for more than a decade, including as the Chief of the DOJ’s Fraud Section in Washington, D.C., and before then, as the Chief of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. 

Chambers USA recognizes Jeff as a leading FCPA lawyer (Band 1). Jeff was named a White Collar MVP by Law360 in 2021, and is consistently recognized by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 and Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation, where sources note him as “outstanding, a DOJ veteran and one of the top defense lawyers in DC,” “spectacular, hardworking,” “smart, savvy and practical,” and “a master strategist with a unique insight into the way the DOJ works,” who “presents very charismatically and effectively,” and has “a good combination of substantive expertise and practical knowledge” that “really adds value to the client.” He is a respected voice on corporate compliance and enforcement policy, and serves on advisory boards dedicated to these issues at NYU School of Law and the American Law Institute.     

Preston Miller - Partner

Preston Miller focuses on antitrust and competition law. With a particular emphasis on merger review, he has extensive experience obtaining regulatory clearances from domestic and international competition authorities for high-profile, often cross-border, transactions across a wide variety of industries. He is recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. in Antitrust: Merger Control, where sources describe him as “such a strong lawyer that partners from other firms routinely acknowledge the benefits of having him on the other side as someone who will be efficient, practical, friendly and able to lead a very strong case.” Preston also has experience in defending clients in complex class action antitrust litigation and government antitrust investigations. In 2023, Preston was recognized on Euromoney’s  Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under List,” which honors the top emerging talent in litigation, and as a “DC Rising Star” by The National Law Journal.

Benjamin S. Persina - Partner

Benjamin Persina is a Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Washington D.C. office and a member of the Firm’s Banking and Credit Practice. He represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as public and private companies, in a wide variety of secured lending, direct lending, and other financing transactions. He also regularly represents leading financial institutions and investment banks with the arrangement and syndication of senior credit facilities, including acquisition, bridge and other corporate financings. His clients have included, among many others, Blackstone, Cimpress, First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Hellman & Friedman, JPMorgan, New Mountain Capital, Silver Lake, Stonepeak and Twitter.

Karen Porter - Partner

Karen Porter is a Partner in the Firm’s Litigation Department, practicing in the Washington, D.C. office. Karen focuses on cross-border government and internal investigations as well as antitrust, corporate governance and compliance matters. She also represents clients in a wide range of high-profile, complex commercial litigation matters, including securities, class action and shareholder derivative litigations. Karen has experience managing sensitive, high-stakes regulatory and criminal matters—including interactions with senior management, board committees, external auditors and government regulators—as well as follow-on litigation. Karen also has experience advising senior officers and directors in global antitrust, money laundering and sanctions investigations. In 2023, Karen was recognized on Euromoney’s  Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under List,” which honors the top emerging talent in litigation.

Sara Y. Razi - Partner

Sara Razi is Global Co-Chair of the Firm’s Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice. She is a leading antitrust attorney, focusing on merger reviews, government antitrust investigations, antitrust litigation, and counseling on a variety of competition issues. Sara joined Simpson Thacher in 2013 from the FTC, where she served in senior roles for nearly a decade.

Sara regularly represents clients in antitrust investigations by the DOJ, FTC, and States and has secured successful outcomes in several complex and closely-watched mergers and high-profile antitrust litigations. Her extensive private-sector and government antitrust experience spans a multitude of industries including media, telecommunications, technology, supermarkets and other retail, oil and gas, consumer products, healthcare providers, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.

Sara is recognized by The Legal 500 as a “Leading Lawyer” and by Chambers USA. Sources note that she is “a very seasoned and knowledgeable antitrust attorney” who “has the unique ability to give very practical advice about how regulators would react to matters,” with “extensive knowledge of agency strategy.” Sara is also ranked as one of the “Top 250 Women in Litigation” in the U.S. by Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation; named among The Deal’s 2023 “Top Women in Dealmaking”; and featured as one of Global Competition Review’s 2021 “Women in Antitrust”—she is separately described by GCR as one of the “best FTC merger advisers in the business.” Sara is an authority on antitrust issues and speaks frequently at conferences sponsored by the ABA, law schools, and private organizations. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Pro Bono Committee.

Benjamin Rippeon - Partner

A Partner in the Firm’s Tax Practice, Benjamin Rippeon provides a wide range of clients with sophisticated, solutions-oriented advice related to domestic and international tax issues. He focuses on tax planning for investment funds and strategic corporate and real estate acquisitions, dispositions and reorganizations. His diverse group of clients include corporations, investment funds, joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies and special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). Benjamin has also advised on the formation of numerous private REITs in connection with real estate acquisitions and dispositions involving U.S. and non-U.S. investors, including sovereign wealth funds.

Cheryl J. Scarboro - Partner Cheryl Scarboro, formerly an Associate Director in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement and the first Chief of the SEC’s FCPA Unit, represents corporations, financial institutions and individuals in SEC and other regulatory enforcement proceedings. Cheryl conducts internal investigations and counsels clients on FCPA compliance programs, SEC reporting, disclosure and corporate governance requirements. Cheryl is recognized as a leading individual in FCPA by Chambers USA Nationwide and Chambers Global, where sources describe her as a “calm, cool, confident counsel” with an “immense amount of credibility” and as “universally unflappable when it comes to high-stakes situations.” She was also recognized as one of the “25 Most Influential Women in Securities Law” by Law360, one of the “Top 10 Women in Litigation” by Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation, and was named to the “Enforcement 40” by the Securities Enforcement Forum. She is also consistently listed in the “Top 250 Women in Litigation” by Benchmark Litigation. Cheryl was recently recognized as part of Corporate Counsel’s “Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards” and named to Global Investigations Review’s “Women in Investigations” and “The Top FCPA Practitioners” 2021 lists, with the profile highlighting that, “few lawyers, if any, can match [Cheryl’s] credentials.” Cheryl was also named to Savoy Magazine’s 2022 and 2018 “Most Influential Black Lawyers” lists. Cheryl is consistently recommended by The Legal 500 in white collar and was named a National “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation. In addition, she is a member of the Global Advisory Board of the Women in Law Empowerment Forum, and a member of the Board of Visitors of Duke University School of Law.

Mark B. Skerry - Partner

Mark Skerry focuses on regulatory issues related to  international and cross-border transactions involving some of the world’s most well-known private equity firms and multinational corporations. A former attorney within the Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Mark advises on transactions undergoing national security reviews before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and regularly coordinates worldwide foreign direct investment (FDI) filings for significant global transactions. His work also extends to compliance matters relating to economic sanctions laws and regulations, such as those administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), anti-money laundering laws and trade controls.

Spencer A. Sloan - Partner

A Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Financial Institutions Practice, Spencer Sloan’s practice focuses on advising domestic and international financial institutions and their holding companies in connection with regulatory, supervisory, enforcement and governance matters. Spencer regularly counsels U.S. and foreign banks, investors and other regulated financial services firms in connection with mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions before the major financial services regulators, including the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as well as state banking regulators. He also advises banking clients on regulatory compliance matters, activity and structuring issues and enforcement actions. Spencer was recently recognized as a Law360 “Rising Star” in the banking sector.

Audrey Stern - Partner

John Terzaken - Partner A leading antitrust litigator and former federal prosecutor, John Terzaken is Global Co-Chair of the Firm’s Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice. John represents corporate and individual clients involved in government enforcement of antitrust, fraud and other white collar violations, as well as related follow-on civil litigation. His experience spans market sector investigations and litigation in all major industries, including financial services, pharmaceutical, professional services, manufacturing, energy, shipping, food and beverage, and many others. John previously served as the Director of Criminal Enforcement of the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, where he oversaw the Division’s criminal enforcement and litigation nationwide. He has earned awards of distinction from the Attorney General of the United States and the Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division.

John was named as a 2022 “MVP” in Competition by Law360, and is consistently recognized as a leading antitrust lawyer (Band 1) by both Chambers Global and Chambers USA, where clients describe him as “. . . very strategic and creative with investigations,” “one of the strongest lawyers I have ever worked with,” “. . . a superb lawyer in the cartel space,” “highly professional and very responsive,” an attorney who is “extremely well respected,” “. . . smart, provides practical guidance and brings a lot to the table with his DOJ background,” “knows the technical aspects of antitrust law and also how to intuitively apply that to business realities,” and has a “wonderful working manner with clients and government figures.” John is also recognized in The Legal 500 “Hall of Fame,” where sources say he is “the very best of the best,” that he “brings unmatched knowledge, experience, relationships, attention to detail, responsiveness and wisdom to each engagement and interaction,” and that he “stands out for his creative thinking and strategic problem-solving skills.” He is recognized as a “Litigation Star” both nationally and in D.C. by Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation and is also recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Competition.

Katharine L. Thompson - Partner

Based in Washington, D.C., Katharine Thompson is a Partner in the Firm’s Capital Markets Practice. Katharine represents corporate issuers, private equity sponsors and underwriters in a wide range of securities offerings, including initial public offerings and follow-on equity offerings, as well as spin-offs and high yield and investment grade debt offerings. Katharine also advises clients with regard to ongoing public reporting, compliance and corporate governance matters.

Malcolm J. (Mick) Tuesley - Partner Malcolm “Mick” Tuesley, Head of the Firm’s National Security Regulatory Practice, has significant experience representing clients in national security reviews before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and assisting clients with related issues, including mitigation of foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI) under industrial security regulations; export control compliance; and government contracting. Mick has been involved with negotiating national security agreements for some of the largest and most complex transactions in the defense, energy, financial services, telecommunications and technology industries. Mick was named a Law360 “MVP” for International Trade in 2019. He is consistently recognized by The Legal 500, where sources call him “outstanding” and “an expert in FOCI mitigation issues and a creative problem solver.” He is also consistently recognized by Chambers USA and Chambers Global, where commentators note his “good sense of both CFIUS and corporate law.” Mick currently serves on the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network’s Board of Directors.

William H. Hinman - Senior Advisor

Former Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Corporation Finance, Bill Hinman focuses on a wide range of corporate and securities law matters—including some of the most significant initial public offerings in history. Bill also represents clients in connection with corporate acquisitions and governance matters. Widely recognized as a leading corporate law practitioner, Bill has extensive experience across an array of industries, including technology, e-commerce, digital assets, healthcare and life sciences. He played a lead role in the IPOs of Alibaba, Facebook, Google, eBay, Square, Agilent, Seagate and VMware, among many others.

During his tenure at the SEC between 2017 and 2020, Bill led the Division of Corporation Finance on a wide range of issues vital to the success of the nation’s capital markets.

George M. Gerstein - Senior Counsel

Senior Counsel in Simpson Thacher’s Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice, George Gerstein concentrates on the fiduciary and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA as they apply to the investment and management of plan assets. George has extensive experience advising clients in connection with a wide variety of services and asset classes, including foreign exchange.

Jonathan H. Pacheco - Senior Counsel

Based in Washington, D.C., Jonathan Pacheco is Senior Counsel in the Firm’s Capital Markets Practice. Jonathan represents issuers, private equity sponsors and underwriters in a wide range of securities offerings, including initial public offerings, follow-on and secondary equity offerings, preferred equity offerings, and high yield and investment grade debt offerings, as well as exchange offers and other liability management transactions. Jonathan also advises clients on ongoing public reporting, compliance and corporate governance matters.

Vanessa K. Burrows - Counsel

With experience involving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other healthcare regulatory matters, Vanessa has advised pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, healthcare and technology companies, hospitals and other providers in connection with regulatory and compliance needs, as well as in connection with M&A and capital-raising transactions. Vanessa has extensive experience counseling clients with respect to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance, health privacy, security and breach issues, pharmacy law, cannabis and hemp laws, and public health matters. Vanessa is Counsel in our Washington, D.C. office.

James W. Hahn - Counsel

Counsel in the Firm’s Registered Funds Practice, Jamie Hahn has experience advising mutual funds, closed-end funds, ETFs and their investment advisers on a broad range of investment management issues. He has significant experience counseling operating companies and publicly-traded alternative asset managers on “status” issues under the Investment Company Act. Jamie also advises on Investment Company Act and Advisers Act issues in connection with corporate transactions. 

Emily B. Holland - Counsel

Emily Holland is Counsel in the Firm’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and Sustainability Practice and a three-time Chambers-recognized practitioner in the field of Global Business & Human Rights Law. Emily advises multinational companies and financial institutions in designing and implementing comprehensive sustainability and governance strategies and structures to address ESG-related risks and opportunities. 

Daniel B. Honeycutt - Counsel

Daniel Honeycutt is Counsel in the Firm’s Registered Funds Practice. Based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office, he provides creative and sophisticated counsel to a diverse array of companies in the financial services and real estate industries, with extensive experience advising REITs on a wide range of formation and transactional matters. Daniel guides clients through complex public and private capital raising matters, including initial public offerings and follow-on offerings, Rule 144A offerings and private placements, as well as significant preferred stock and debt offerings.

David Nicolardi - Counsel

A former senior member of the Investment Management Division of the Securities and Exchange Commission and former senior compliance officer at a registered investment adviser, David Nicolardi is Counsel in Simpson Thacher’s Investment Funds Practice. Based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office, David focuses on complex regulatory and transactional matters involving investment advisers and regulated funds, including providing clients with practical and creative solutions to regulatory, compliance and enforcement issues. David advises a broad range of asset management firms on the operation and formation of investment funds, including private funds, interval funds, listed closed-end funds, business development companies, and mutual funds.

Nicholas Olumoya Ridley - Counsel

Nicholas Ridley is Counsel in the Firm’s Investment Funds Practice. Based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office, Nicholas focuses on complex regulatory and transactional matters including providing sponsor and adviser clients with practical and creative solutions to regulatory, compliance, and enforcement issues. Nicholas has extensive experience collaborating with clients to develop innovative retail products, pursue novel applications for SEC exemptive relief, and address emerging compliance and regulatory considerations impacting asset managers, private funds, registered funds, business development companies (BDCs), and fund boards. In addition, Nicholas frequently counsels both asset management and operating company clients on complicated “status” issues under the Investment Company Act. He has represented preeminent sponsors and investment managers such as AMG, Apollo, BC Partners, Blackstone, Carlyle, JPMorgan Asset Management, KKR, PIMCO, and SkyBridge Capital, among others.

Abigail W. Williams - Counsel