Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

In a period of transition following the departure in November 2023 of core team members Ian Barratt and Sinead O’Shea to Kirkland & Ellis International LLP, borrower-focused firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP still maintains a strong offering on the funds front and the corporate front for fund finance matters. On the leveraged finance side, Shahpur Kabraji now heads the team, which has historically strong expertise advising sponsors and their portfolio companies on the full spectrum of financial products, from bank and bond financings through to unitranche facilities. The arrival of Paul Hibbert from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP in March 2024 is a notable hire in light of his acumen at handling borrowers, including private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, on complex acquisition and leveraged finance matters in the infrastructure space.