Jonathan Karen is a partner in the Firm's Corporate Department and member of the Firm's Executive Committee, the Firm's highest governing body. Jonathan has led the Firm’s recent efforts in some of the industry’s most successful and market-defining private equity fund formations, including Blackstone’s recent flagship corporate, energy and real estate private equity funds: Blackstone Real Estate Partners X ($30.4 billion, 2023), Blackstone Capital Partners VIII (2019), Blackstone Real Estate Partners IX ($20.5 billion, 2019), Blackstone Real Estate Partners Asia II ($7.1 billion, 2018) and Blackstone Energy Partners II ($4.5 billion, 2015). Other recent noteworthy private fund formation transactions led by Jonathan include Silver Lake Partners VI ($20 billion, 2021), Silver Lake Partners V ($15 billion, 2017), Stonepeak Infrastructure Fund III ($7.2 billion, 2018), Centerbridge Capital Partners III ($6 billion, 2014), Rockpoint Growth & Income Fund II ($2.5 billion; 2018) and Silver Lake Alpine Fund ($2.4 billion; 2018) and numerous other separate accounts, funds-of-one and similar custom arrangements across multiple asset classes, including buyout, real estate, infrastructure, secondaries and distressed and mezzanine debt. Jonathan also counsels investment firms on a mix of matters involving private investment funds, including internal economic arrangements for private fund sponsors, regulatory compliance, M&A transactions and strategic investments involving private fund sponsors, joint ventures and spin-outs. Jonathan is ranked both in the U.S. and Global guides by Chambers, which quotes clients describing him as “extremely practical, inventive, efficient, very smart and down-to-earth” (Chambers USA) and “phenomenal” (Chambers Global). Jonathan was recognized as Fund Formation “MVP” by Law360 in 2023 and 2021, named to Private Equity International’s (PEI) Private Funds Management’s “30 Rising Stars Under 40” in 2015 and labeled a “Rising Star” by Law360 in 2013.
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Work Highlights
- Silver Lake in the establishment of the $20 billion Silver Lake Partners VI, reported to be the largest technology-focused private equity fund ever raised, and the $15 billion Silver Lake Partners V
- Blackstone in multiple fundraisings, including the establishment of the $30.4 billion Blackstone Real Estate Partners X, the largest real estate or private equity drawdown fund ever raised, $20.5 billion Blackstone Real Estate Partners IX, the $7.1 billion Blackstone Real Estate Partners Asia II, the $4.5 billion Blackstone Energy Partners II and Blackstone Capital Partners VIII
- Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners in the establishment of the $7.2 billion Stonepeak Infrastructure Fund III, its third “flagship” private equity fund focused on infrastructure investment opportunities in the North American middle market
- Carlyle in the establishment of its first energy-focused fund, which raised nearly $1.4 billion in total commitments
- Centerbridge Partners in the establishment of the $4.25 billion Centerbridge Capital Partners II, its second private equity fund focused on control-oriented private equity and distressed investments
Accolades
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2023 “MVP” in Fund Formation, Law360
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2021 “MVP” in Fund Formation, Law360
Education
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New York University School of Law, 2001 J.D.
Annual Survey of American Law, 1999–2000
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Duke University, 1998 B.A.
cum laude
Jonathan A. Karen, a Partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP practicing in the Firm’s Corporate Department and a member of the Firm's Executive Committee, has led the Firm’s recent efforts in some of the industry’s most successful and noteworthy private equity fund formations, including:
Jonathan is ranked both in the U.S. and Global guides by Chambers, which quotes clients describing him as “extremely practical, inventive, efficient, very smart and down-to-earth” (Chambers USA) and “phenomenal” (Chambers Global). Jonathan was recently named to Private Equity International's (PEI) Private Funds Management’s “30 Rising Stars Under 40” recognizing the top private funds lawyers under 40 as identified by industry participants and law firms from around the world. He was featured in Law360 as 2023 and 2021 “MVP” in Fund Formation and 2013 "Rising Star,” all of which honored his work for several high-profile private equity clients in establishing multibillion-dollar fund formations. Jonathan is cited as a recommended private equity funds lawyer in The Legal 500 United States 2015 and in Who’s Who Legal 2015. Jonathan has also spoken about private funds at forums such as the International Bar Association’s Private Funds Conference in London as well as the New York City Bar Association. His published work includes articles in Private Equity International and Getting the Deal Through.
Jonathan also counsels investment firms on a mix of matters involving private investment funds, including internal economic arrangements for private fund sponsors, regulatory compliance, M&A transactions and strategic investments involving private fund sponsors, joint ventures and spin-outs.
Jonathan received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 2001, where he edited the Annual Survey of American Law from 1999 to 2000. He received his B.A. from Duke University, cum laude, in 1998.