Ryan Harris, Managing Partner of Simpson Thacher’s Chicago office, advises private equity sponsors, family offices, and public and private companies across a broad range of complex transactions, including leveraged buyouts, domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate representations. He advises family offices on strategic, family and operational matters, including the structuring of traditional and alternative investment vehicles, management carry programs, key employee co-investment arrangements, and governance and succession. Ryan has also represented numerous private equity funds including GTCR, ParkerGale, Equity Group Investments, Beecken Petty O’Keefe & Company, Union Park Capital and Maxwell Street Capital Partners.
Ryan has been recognized by Chambers USA in “High Net Worth - Family Offices & Funds Structuring” (2023-2026) and was recognized by Best Lawyers in the areas of Corporate Law, and Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (2026).
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Accolades
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Chambers USA, High Net Worth - Family Offices & Funds Structuring (2023-2026)
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Best Lawyers, Corporate Law; Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (2026)
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Family Capital, “100 Influencers,” (2020, 2022-2023)
Education
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Northwestern University, Pritzker School of Law, 2002 J.D.
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The University of Chicago Law School, 1999 M.A.
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Emory University, 1997 B.A.
Associations
- Adjunct Professor of Mergers and Acquisitions, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Board Member, Harris Family Farm Foundation
- Board Member, Latin School of Chicago
- Board Member, Communities in Schools of Chicago
Ryan Harris, Managing Partner of Simpson Thacher’s Chicago office, advises private equity sponsors, family offices, and public and private companies across a broad range of complex transactions, including leveraged buyouts, domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate representations. He advises family offices on strategic, family and operational matters, including the structuring of traditional and alternative investment vehicles, management carry programs, key employee co-investment arrangements, and governance and succession. Ryan has also represented numerous private equity funds including GTCR, ParkerGale, Equity Group Investments, Beecken Petty O’Keefe & Company, Union Park Capital and Maxwell Street Capital Partners.
Ryan has been recognized by Chambers USA in “High Net Worth - Family Offices & Funds Structuring” (2023-2026) and was recognized by Best Lawyers in the areas of Corporate Law, and Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (2026). He is an adjunct professor of Mergers and Acquisitions at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.
He received his J.D. in 2002 from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, his M.A. in 1999 from University of Chicago and his B.A. in 1997 from Emory University. Ryan is admitted to practice in Illinois.