Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is opening an office in Chicago with five incoming partners, significantly expanding its capabilities in serving middle-market private equity firms, family offices, and other private capital clients.
Ryan Harris, Cole Parker, Kyle McHugh, Ryan Jackson, and Ziyad Ziyadzade will join Simpson Thacher as partners and form the initial leadership group for the firm’s Chicago office.
Harris will serve as Managing Partner of the new office.
The expansion gives Simpson Thacher a permanent presence in one of the country’s major private equity and investment centers while bringing in a team with long-standing experience advising middle-market sponsors and family offices.
The incoming lawyers advise private equity sponsors, family offices, public companies, and private businesses on transactions including mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, growth investments, venture investments, restructurings, divestitures, and financings.
Their practices will complement Simpson Thacher’s existing capabilities across private equity, M&A, investment funds, taxation, executive compensation, regulatory matters, and capital markets.
The firm plans to continue scaling the Chicago office, using the initial five-partner team as the foundation for a broader multidisciplinary presence.
KEY QUOTES:
“Opening an office in Chicago extends our ability to serve our clients in one of the country’s most dynamic centers of investment activity and legal talent. The addition of Ryan, Cole, Kyle, Ryan and Ziyad significantly expands our ability to advise middle market private equity funds and other private capital clients.”
Alden Millard, Chair of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee
“Our team has worked together for many years and we are very excited to join the Firm and build on its commitment to establishing a major presence in Chicago that will deliver outstanding service to our clients.”
“We look forward to fully scaling the Chicago office as part of Simpson Thacher’s world class platform, with the goal of bringing together the very best lawyers to collaborate across transactional, regulatory and disputes practices in this amazing city.”
Ryan Harris, Managing Partner of Simpson Thacher’s Chicago Office
“Middle market private equity funds and family offices are part of the heart of Chicago and the broader national private capital landscape. Simpson Thacher’s best-in-class integrated approach and collaborative culture make it an ideal place to advise these clients on their most important opportunities and challenges.”
Cole Parker, Partner at Simpson Thacher
“Our team has a long history as leaders in the middle market, and we are excited to deepen our relationships with our private equity and family office clients on the Simpson Thacher platform.”
Kyle McHugh, Partner at Simpson Thacher