Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

In their column in the New York Law Journal, Litigation Partners William Russell and Linton Mann III analyzed the recent Court of Appeals decision in Wu v. Uber Technologies, Inc. The decision answered critical questions about notice, consent and fairness in the age of online contracting. By affirming the enforceability of Uber’s clickwrap agreement, the 5-2 majority applied traditional principles of notice and assent without granting exceptions for the challenges posed by web-based contracting or requiring a specific reference to the language change at issue in this litigation. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eAjrAVrE

Simpson Thacher is advising Stonepeak in connection with the acquisition of Forgital Group, a leading manufacturer of advanced forged and machine-finished components for aerospace and industrial end markets, from global investment firm Carlyle Group Inc. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025 subject to the satisfaction of customary regulatory approvals. Forgital, founded in 1873, specializes in forged and laminated metallic rolled rings, with technologically advanced manufacturing capabilities across a broad portfolio of materials, including titanium, nickel-based alloys, aluminium, and steel. Forgital serves a diverse range of end markets, including aerospace, defence, space, power generation, and oil & gas, and offers vertical integration across the entire forged components value chain, from process engineering to assembly, final machining, and testing. Forgital has a global workforce with an operational footprint across Europe and North America spanning nine facilities in Italy, France, and the United States. The Simpson Thacher team includes Paul Foote, Eli Hunt, Gemma Cullen, Niccolò Calvi, Andrew Cho, John Saunders and Julia Conzen (U.K. Corporate); Ned Simpson (U.S. Corporate); Josh Buckland, Lina Kim and Jiaxin Li (Antitrust); Claire Williams and Jennifer Hall (Credit); Yash Rupal, Jonathan Goldstein and Tim Wells (Tax); Deborah Gruen (Funds); and Krista McManus (Real Estate). Simpson Thacher worked alongside Legance, a leading Italian law firm.

Sas Mehrara, Head of the Firm’s Real Estate Practice, was named among the honorees of Connect CRE’s 2024 “Lawyers in Real Estate Awards.” Sas was recognized in the “National” category for his work advising clients including Blackstone, Town Lane and Lindsay Goldberg, among others, in numerous commercial real estate acquisitions and dispositions, joint ventures and financings across the country. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eeFwg7eR

Abram Ellis, George Wang, Daniel Levien, Claire Cahoon and Sarah Wiik authored an article titled, “The Current State Of Play Around Corporate Transparency Act,” which was published by Law360. The article explored how the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas preliminarily enjoined, on a nationwide basis, the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its implementing regulations. 

Rajib Chanda, Head of the Firm’s Registered Funds Practice, was a featured speaker at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Investor Advisory Committee Meeting. Rajib participated in a panel titled, “Mainstreaming of Alternative Assets to Retail Investors,” which discussed the overall growing accessibility of alternative assets for retail investors and explored the benefits and challenges associated with these investments. On the panel, Rajib highlighted the needs of retail investors in private markets, the evolving landscape of investment options available today, the challenge of accessing direct private equity products and potential measures the SEC could take to improve access to private market investments for retail investors. Read more: https://lnkd.in/euAj83jp

John Terzaken, Abram Ellis, Peter Guryan, Sara Razi and Sophia Dillon-Davidson, authored an article titled, “Simpson Thacher Discusses Updated Antitrust Compliance Guidance,” which was published by The Columbia Law School Blue Sky Blog. The article discussed the DOJ’s updated guidance on how the Antitrust Division will evaluate corporate compliance programs when making charging decisions and sentencing recommendations relating to criminal antitrust violations. 

Simpson Thacher is proud to partner with Extraordinary Women on Boards (EWOB), including on their first-ever Summit, EWOB Connect 2024, held in Scottsdale, Arizona this Fall. The Summit brought together 200 EWOB members who serve on public and private for-profit boards. Simpson Thacher Partners Elizabeth Cooper, Karen Kazmerzak, Laura Lin, Anthony Vernace and Jonathan Youngwood represented the Firm and hosted two panels. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eWyBGwnH

Simpson Thacher acted as legal advisors to Greater Share on a pro bono basis, helping to create an innovative fund structure which resulted in a successful final closing of Greater Share’s inaugural Education Fund, which raised $52 million. This fund attracted more than 50 individual and institutional investors from around the world, all united by the goal of providing sustainable funding over the next decade to eight high-impact NGOs focused on educational equity in underserved communities. By collaborating with leading private equity firms, the fund will offer long-term and unrestricted financial support derived from investment returns and donations to assist in their crucial work of promoting equitable education. Greater Share is an innovative philanthropic investment model harnessing the expertise of the world’s top performing private equity funds and impact NGOs to solve complex global challenges. The Greater Share Education Fund is focused on bridging and closing the education gap, supporting the highest impact NGOs in their efforts to enact real and measurable change on children’s lives across the globe. The Simpson Thacher team included Jason Glover, Bill Smolinski, Caleb McConnell, Victoria Hartman and Andreea Gancea.

Five Simpson Thacher Partners have been named among The Hollywood Reporter’s “Top Dealmakers of 2024” for their roles advising on “some of the most impactful and intriguing mergers and acquisitions that reshaped the industry this year.”   Eric Swedenburg and Katherine Krause were recognized for their work advising Paramount in its $28 billion combination with Skydance, which THR named the “Studio Merger of the Year.” Additionally, Elizabeth Cooper, Chris May and Mark Myott were also highlighted for their work advising Silver Lake in its acquisition of Endeavor.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/epQcaNv7

Partners Peter Guryan, Sara Razi and John Terzaken, Global Co-Chairs of the Firm’s Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice, authored a Law360 article, which discussed what the new administration may mean for antitrust enforcement and provided an overview of enforcement actions under the previous administration.