Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP fields a ‘truly top-notch’ team, renowned for its expertise in public and private M&A, private equity deals, and IPOs. The group excels in advising on management equity, employment arrangements, and compensation plans, as well as corporate governance and ERISA-related matters. Heading the team, Gregory Grogan has notably represented Microsoft in its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and is celebrated for his work in executive retention and motivation. Jamin Koslowe specializes in equity-based incentive plans, deferred compensation, and benefits issues in spin-offs and securities offerings. Brian Robbins, at the helm of the firm’s Title I ERISA practice, is adept at negotiating employment and termination agreements for high-profile executives. Laurence Moss lends his expertise to the employee benefits aspects of leveraged buyouts, while Andrew Blau focuses on structuring employment contracts, deferred compensation schemes, and management participation in new ventures. Jeannine McSweeney is well regarded for her guidance on incentives, retirement plans, and severance agreements in the context of M&A, IPOs, and joint ventures. Gillian Emmett Moldowan joined the team in October 2024 from A&O Shearman. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Simpson's ECB practice is truly top-notch.'
‘Jamin Koslowe is our go-to for all matters of executive compensation. Smart, succinct, and creative with a keen business judgment, we can ask for no more!’
'Gregory Grogan is extremely client focused, highly practical and a truly excellent advisor in even the most difficult of circumstances.'
Key clients
- American Family Insurance
- Blackstone
- BMC Stock Holdings
- BrightView
- CBRE
- Cisco
- Change Healthcare
- Dell Technologies
- Dorman Products
- GardaWorld
- Hilton Grand Vacations
- Hilton Worldwide
- Ingersoll Rand
- ITC Holdings
- Johnson Controls
- JPMorgan Chase
- Mars, Incorporated
- Mass Mutual
- Mattress Firm
- MB Aerospace
- McKesson Corporation
- Melrose Industries
- Microsoft Corporation
- NN, Inc.
- Patricia Industries
- People’s United Bank
- PetSmart
- SK Telecom
- SunPower Corporation
- Teleflex Incorporated
- Toronto-Dominion Bank
- TransUnion
- US Bank
- Vivint Smart Home
- Yahoo
Work highlights
- Represented Microsoft Corporation in its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- Represented Portfolio Advisors in its merger with FS Investments, creating a $73 billion alternative investment firm.
- Represented the Board of Directors of Twitter, Inc. in the acquisition by an entity wholly owned by Elon Musk, for $54.20 per share in cash in a transaction valued at approximately $44 billion.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gregory Grogan