Atif Azher

Simpson Thacher is representing Francisco Partners in connection with its entry into a definitive agreement, alongside Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., to acquire the Software Integrity Group business from Synopsys, Inc (NASDAQ: SNPS) in an all-cash transaction worth approximately $2.1 billion. Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of 2024, the Software Integrity Group business will operate as a privately held company.~~Synopsys’ Software Integrity Group is a leading provider of application security testing solutions that transform the way development teams build and deliver software, accelerating innovation while addressing business risk. Its comprehensive, industry-leading portfolio of software security products interoperates with third-party and open-source tools, allowing organizations to leverage existing investments to build the security program that is best for them.~~The Simpson Thacher team includes Robert Langdon, Atif Azher, Naveed Anwar and Shaneel Parikh (M&A), Russell Light and Bill Smolinski (Tax), Karen Kazmerzak and Max Fischer-Zernin (Antitrust) and Mark Skerry (Regulatory).

Jun 5

1 min

Simpson Thacher represented vehicles affiliated with True Wind Capital in its minority investment in Rover Group, Inc. (“Rover”), the world’s largest online marketplace for pet care, in connection with the acquisition of Rover by affiliates of Blackstone in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $2.3 billion. Rover, based in Seattle, connects pet parents with pet providers who offer overnight services, including boarding and in-home pet sitting, as well as daytime services, including doggy daycare, dog walking, and drop-in visits. The Simpson Thacher team included Atif Azher, Naveed Anwar, Kira Shannahan, Matthew Walls and Ondrej Gaiser-Palecek (M&A); Mark Brod (Capital Markets); and Russell Light (Tax).

Jan 3

1 min

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced today the opening of its new office in San Francisco, marking a significant expansion of the Firm’s Bay Area platform to better serve clients and attract exceptional legal talent in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Atif Azher, who was recently named “Corporate Attorney of the Year” by The American Lawyer and has deep roots in the San Francisco business community, has been named Managing Partner of the Firm’s Bay Area presence. Atif advises on significant M&A and private equity transactions across several industries including technology, healthcare and consumer products. “Opening an office in San Francisco enhances our ability to serve clients in one of the world’s most innovative and influential business centers,” said Alden Millard, Chair of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee. “Atif’s exceptional experience advising on transformative transactions, along with his proven leadership within the Firm, make him ideally suited to guide this next chapter of our Bay Area growth.” The San Francisco office builds on the success of Simpson Thacher’s Palo Alto location, which opened in 1999 and has become a hub for leading companies seeking counsel on complex corporate, regulatory and disputes matters. In addition to advising leading clients across the private funds, registered funds and financial services industries, the Firm advises companies across the full spectrum of the technology sector—from artificial intelligence, data centers and digital infrastructure to software, semiconductors and telecom—and delivers strategic, commercially focused counsel to trailblazers in biotech, healthcare and consumer products. The Firm has more than 115 lawyers based in the Bay Area. “The Bay Area is home to many of our clients and an extraordinary concentration of innovation and capital,” said Atif. “Opening an office in San Francisco expands our ability to serve clients, gives our teams flexibility, and places us in closer proximity to exceptional talent based in the city. We look forward to deepening relationships and continuing to help clients navigate their most critical and transformative matters.” For more information please click here.

Jan 5

1 min

Simpson Thacher is representing True Wind Capital Management, L.P. (“True Wind”) in connection with its affiliate’s successful tender offer to acquire up to 19.0% of SUNCORPORATION (Standard Market of Tokyo Stock Exchange; Securities Code: 6736) (“Sun”), at a price per share of JPY 5,500, for an aggregate purchase price of JPY 23.3 billion.~~True Wind is a San Francisco-based private equity firm focused on partnering with management teams to build leading technology businesses in growing vertical markets in three primary sectors: Industrial Tech, Business Services & Compliance and Financial Services. Since its founding in 2015, True Wind has completed 13 platform investments and dozens of add-on acquisitions.~~The Simpson Thacher team includes Atif Azher, Jonathan Stradling, Naveed Anwar, Daisuke Ueta and Jesse Feng (M&A); Matthew Kemp, Jessica Mason and William McKenna (Funds); Mark Brod (Capital Markets); and Russell Light, Nancy Mehlman and Shoshana Schorr (Tax).

Aug 23

1 min

Simpson Thacher is representing Applied Systems, a portfolio company of Hellman & Friedman and one of the world’s largest providers of agency and brokerage management systems, in its acquisition of Planck Resolution LTD, the leading artificial intelligence company for the insurance industry. The Simpson Thacher team includes Atif Azher, Naveed Anwar, Shaneel Parikh, Marina Hernandez and Abby Kieker (M&A); Russell Light (Tax); David Rubinsky and Allison Sutherland (Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits); Ron Ben-Yehuda and Bobbie Burrows (Intellectual Property); Karen Kazmerzak and Allison Davido (Antitrust); and Steven DeLott (Insurance).

Jul 24

1 min