Simpson Thacher's recent recruitment activities in the London leveraged finance arena have been making waves. The firm has successfully brought on board a highly capable leveraged finance duo from Sidley Austin, strengthening its position in this crucial sector.

Strengthening European Financing Capabilities with Key Hires

Bryan Robson and William Gwyn: The New Partners at Simpson Thacher

Bryan Robson and William Gwyn's arrival at Simpson Thacher is a significant development. With around eight years at Sidley Austin and prior stints at Kirkland & Ellis' London offices, they bring a wealth of experience to the firm. Their expertise will be crucial in handling leveraged finance matters and providing clients with top-notch transactional support. These hires follow the firm's earlier recruitment of Dan Peach and are set to enhance Simpson Thacher's already strong leveraged finance offering.

The Impact of Recent Hires on Simpson Thacher

The addition of Bryan and Will comes at a time when Simpson Thacher was looking to bolster its European financing capabilities. After the loss of star partners Ian Barratt and Sinead O’Shea to Kirkland in 2023, these new hires offer a much-needed boost. Managing partner Wheatly MacNamara emphasizes the significance of these additions, stating that they will provide clients with sophisticated transactional support for critical mandates. This shows Simpson Thacher's commitment to serving its clients and maintaining its position as a leader in the leveraged finance space.

Sidley Austin's Partnership Flux

While Simpson Thacher is making strides in the leveraged finance domain, Sidley Austin has been experiencing some changes in its partnership. The firm has been on an ambitious hiring spree, adding a total of eight partners from Latham & Watkins. However, it has also faced some losses, with M&A veteran Phil Cheveley recently joining Covington & Burling. This shows the competitive nature of the legal market and the constant ebb and flow of talent. Sidley Austin's response to these changes and its future plans remain to be seen.