Simpson Thacher & Bartlett boasts a long history as one of the country’s most esteemed full-service legal brands. “Where the big corporate work is, litigation often follows,” explains one peer, “and since Simpson gets the top-class corporate work, they did a fantastic job in installing top-class litigators to handle it when that occurs.” One former co-counsel addresses the firm’s partners as “strategic thinkers who are incredibly hard working and very responsive.”
Clients also weigh in to support the firm’s prestigious position.
One notes, “Simpson has a deep bench of outstanding litigators. They offer practical advice with excellent communication. We have experienced zero shortcomings and find them to be the best national firm we have ever worked with.” Another client voices appreciation for Simpson’s “case assessment” but expands on this by cheering “everything – these lawyers are top-flight. They are expert, responsive, and pragmatic.” High praise is also on offer from neutrals: “I have been a mediator on numerous large complex disputes for Simpson Thacher over the years,” testifies one. “It is always high-powered, partner-driven, high-end litigation, involving the biggest and most complex disputes. But they make the complex simple.”
Simpson Thacher’s antitrust team has seen a remarkable rise in profile as of late, particularly through its DC office.
Sara Razi in particular got a rare opportunity to display her trial prowess as well as her antitrust acumen when she represented Change Healthcare in the DoJ’s challenge to its $13.8 billion acquisition by UnitedHealth Group. A federal judge rejected the DoJ’s claims in September 2022. The DoJ filed a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in November 2022, and subsequently abandoned the appeal in March 2023. Fresh off of this win, Razi further demonstrated her acuity with health-oriented merger-clearance actions with when she provided counsel to HCA Healthcare in antitrust cases surrounding its sale of three hospitals to Louisiana Children’s Medical. The cases concern claims that the two parties to the transaction proceeded with it prior to properly reporting details to regulators. The firm doubled down on antitrust with a relatively new addition to its DC office, former FTC lawyer
Karen Kazmerzak.
Simpson Thacher’s securities team in New York has kept equally busy. Perennial favorite
Lynn Neunerscored big for Toronto-Dominion Bank, resolving Stanford Ponzi scheme-related litigation with a settlement on the eve of trial. Plaintiffs alleged that banks, including TD, aided and abetted Robert Stanford’s fraud by allowing billions of dollars to be wired through their correspondent banking accounts and failing to detect Stanford’s misuse of funds and money laundering. Neuner’s practice also touches on insurance – another marquis practice for the firm – as well as commercial and a false advertising niche. “Lynn Neuner is an incredibly talented attorney,” enthuses a client, who further elaborates with a fulsome review: “She is very bright and extremely hard working. She is adept at helping clients with their most complicated issues. Lynn is a strategic thinker who looks at issues from all angles. Moreover, she is an inspiration to other lawyers, and especially women in the legal profession. She is truly a pleasure to work with.”
Jonathan Youngwoodis another securities favorite. “Jonathan makes the complex very simple,” declares a peer. “He is personable in a disarming way. He is very to-the-point and direct, very reliable. His word is gold.” A client emphasizes, “[Jonathan is] a brilliant lawyer. [He is a] great communicator with Incredible experience that allows him to evaluate a matter on the front end and accurately predict the best path for the client.” Youngwood obtained the dismissal of a proposed class action for BOC International Holdings in a suit alleging that the client and its co-defendants colluded in an unlawful scheme to market a derivative investment product, to the retail market in violation of the Commodity Exchange Act. Along with Palo Alto partner
Stephen Blake, Youngwood also represents &Vest Beauty Labs and Disruptional Ltd as plaintiffs in a lawsuit alleging that Amyris breached its Share Purchase Agreement by failing to pay certain earnout payments. In addition to his robust securities practice, Youngwood maintains a steadfast dedication to pro bono matters; he has championed several civil-rights issues in this capacity.
Simpson Thacher’s celebrated insurance practice continues apace with a series of engagements for a host of brand-name global carriers.
Andrew Frankel and Bryce Friedman have seamlessly emerged as the firm’s most seasoned leaders in the practice. The pair has been retained by Chubb to provide strategic advice in connection with the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) Chapter 11 proceedings and claims for coverage for sexual-abuse claims, for which BSA seeks coverage. Friedman also acts as counsel to Chubb in another sexual-abuse matter, this one filed by University of Southern California asserting claims of coverage relating to allegations of sexual abuse and harassment by a former USC health center gynecologist. A newer star in the insurance practice,
Josh Polster elicits praise from peers, one of whom says, “I’ve seen him argue a few times and he has a nice touch.”
The firm’s white-collar/enforcement and investigations practice has also continued to build, with relatively recent recruit
Marc Berger drawing accolades. A peer states, “Marc cycled through several government positions and brings really savvy with him. He really complements [fellow Simpson enforcement star]
Nick Goldin, who is also really excellent and could actually try a case, in addition to his strategic advisory work.” A client champions Goldin as a “brilliant and creative strategist.” The trio of Berger, Goldin and
Michael Osnato guided JPMorgan through a headline-grabbing investigation ending with the SEC’s first settlement with a major bank applying a decades-old regulation regarding preservation of business records to modern use of text messages. According to the SEC, employees discussed bank business over text and personal email without JPMorgan retaining the messages.
Jeff Knox, a former prosecutor based in the firm’s DC office, is cheered by a client as “someone who has
really adapted very quickly to the defense side and is very creative and thoughtful.”
