Ben Smith is a Partner in the Private Funds Practice at Simpson Thacher, based in the Firm’s New York office. He advises private fund sponsors in connection with the organization, structuring and operation of a broad range of closed-end and open-end private investment funds across multiple asset classes, including traditional and long-dated “core” buyout, real estate, infrastructure, credit, energy and life sciences funds.
In addition to commingled “blind pool” fund formation, Ben advises clients on a wide variety of bespoke fund-related matters, such as separately managed accounts and other customized arrangements for large investors, joint ventures in individual transactions and investment platforms, co-investments (including a depth of experience on standing co-investment arrangements), GP-led secondary transactions and other liquidity transactions, and internal sponsor governance and economic arrangements. He also advises clients on compliance with the Investment Advisers Act and other regulatory compliance matters.
Ben’s experience includes representing Blackstone, KKR, Centerbridge, Morgan Stanley, Alinda, BC Partners, Macquarie, Stonepeak, EIG Capital, Onex and J.C. Flowers & Co., among others.
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Work Highlights
- Blackstone in a number of fundraisings, including Blackstone Capital Partners VIII, the inaugural $14 billion fundraising phase for Blackstone Infrastructure Partners and its ongoing fundraising, the $8 billion Blackstone Core Equity Partners II, and various co-investment vehicles, separate accounts and customized arrangements
- KKR in the inaugural $6 billion fundraising phase for its core infrastructure fund, KKR Diversified Core Infrastructure Fund, and in its $4.7 billion acquisition of the Global Atlantic Financial Group and related managed account arrangements
- Centerbridge in a number of fundraisings, including the $2.3 billion Centerbridge Partners Real Estate Fund II and various co-investment vehicles and customized arrangements
- Morgan Stanley in its inaugural tactical value fund, the $1.4 billion North Haven Tactical Value Fund
Education
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New York University School of Law, 2013 J.D.
cum laude; Robert McKay Scholar
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Tufts University, 2010 B.A.
magna cum laude; High Thesis Honors
Ben Smith is a Partner in the Private Funds practice at Simpson Thacher, based in the Firm’s New York office. He advises private fund sponsors in connection with the organization, structuring and operation of a broad range of closed-end and open-end private investment funds across multiple asset classes, including traditional and long-dated “core” buyout, real estate, infrastructure, credit, energy and life sciences funds.
In addition to commingled “blind pool” fund formation, Ben advises clients on a wide variety of more bespoke fund-related matters, such as separately managed accounts and other customized arrangements for large investors, joint ventures in individual transactions and investment platforms, co-investments (including a depth of experience on standing co-investment arrangements), GP-led secondary transactions and other liquidity transactions, and internal sponsor governance and economic arrangements. He also advises clients on compliance with the Investment Advisers Act and other regulatory compliance matters.
Ben’s experience includes representing Blackstone, KKR, Centerbridge, Morgan Stanley, Alinda, BC Partners, Stonepeak, Macquarie, EIG Capital, Onex and J.C. Flowers & Co., among others.
Some of Ben’s notable work highlights include advising:
- Blackstone in a number of fundraisings, including Blackstone Capital Partners VIII, the inaugural $14 billion fundraising phase for Blackstone Infrastructure Partners and its ongoing fundraising, the $8 billion Blackstone Core Equity Partners II, and various co-investment vehicles, separate accounts and customized arrangements
- KKR in the inaugural $6 billion fundraising phase for its core infrastructure fund, KKR Diversified Core Infrastructure Fund, and in its $4.7 billion acquisition of the Global Atlantic Financial Group
- Centerbridge in a number of fundraisings, including the $2.3 billion Centerbridge Partners Real Estate Fund II and various co-investment vehicles and customized arrangements
- Morgan Stanley in its inaugural tactical value fund, the $1.4 billion North Haven Tactical Value Fund
Ben has been with Simpson Thacher since receiving his J.D., cum laude, from New York University School of Law, where he was a Robert McKay Scholar. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Tufts University. Ben is admitted to practice in New York.