Brian M. Steinhardt

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP today announced that Fern Han has joined the Firm’s Houston office as a Partner, where she will focus on project, energy and infrastructure finance and other banking and credit matters.~~“Clients pursuing investments across sectors, including energy and infrastructure, continue to turn to Simpson Thacher for innovative financing solutions,” said Alexandra Kaplan, Co-Head of Simpson Thacher’s Global Banking and Credit Practice. “Fern’s extensive experience in project, energy and infrastructure finance will greatly benefit our clients, and we are pleased to welcome her to Simpson Thacher,” continued Brian Steinhardt, Co-Head of Simpson Thacher’s Global Banking and Credit Practice.~~Fern represents public and private borrowers, as well as lenders, on complex U.S. and international banking and credit matters across the energy and infrastructure sectors, including project finance, acquisition finance, reserve-based lending, export credit finance and other structured finance transactions. Her clients include public and private companies, private equity funds, development finance institutions, banks and export credit agencies.~~“Fern’s addition marks the latest step in the growth of our Houston office, which now has more than 85 lawyers who provide best-in-class transactional advice, and is a destination for clients focusing on energy and infrastructure projects, among other matters,” said Matt Einbinder, Co-Managing Partner of Simpson Thacher’s Houston office.~~Fern said, “Simpson Thacher’s Banking and Credit and Energy and Infrastructure platforms are second-to-none and will provide me with the opportunity to serve my clients at the highest level. I’m very excited to join the team.”~~Ranked #1 by Loan Pricing Corporation based on volume and value of deals in 2024, clients rely on Simpson Thacher’s market-leading Banking and Credit Practice for advice on an array of complex credit transactions and financial instruments at all levels of the corporate capital structure. This includes robust capabilities on all sides of innovative infrastructure finance transactions, including project financings and other nonrecourse financings of various asset classes worldwide. The Firm’s Houston office advises on the full spectrum of corporate transactional matters across the energy and infrastructure sectors, including battery storage, digital infrastructure, energy exploration and production, energy transition, midstream, oil field services, power, refining and petrochemicals, renewable energy, utilities and water infrastructure.~~For more information, please click here.

May 21

2 min

David Nemecek Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is planning to plant a second flag in the Lone Star State with a shop in Dallas after launching a capital structure solutions practice with a New York-based partner who came aboard from Kirkland & Ellis LLP at the helm. The firm said Thursday in a statement that its future launch in Dallas and the hiring of partner David Nemecek to lead the new practice group are a part of the expansion of its capital solutions offerings, noting the region's growing clientele, capital, and talent base. With a planned physical presence in Dallas, its second in the state after Houston, Simpson Thacher is set to join a number of firms eyeing the potential for legal work stemming from the rise of "Y'all Street" as new stock exchanges launch amid a steady march of corporate relocations. Texas' business-friendly regulatory environment and sophisticated business court, which launched a little over a year ago, have been cited by law firm leaders as drivers of legal work in the North Texas region. Crowell & Moring LLP entered the Texas market with a Dallas location in August as it brought on a large healthcare group from Reed Smith LLP. Houston trial boutique Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC announced this past fall that it would launch in Dallas on the first of the year, breaking with a three-decade one-office tradition. Offit Kurman Attorneys At Law snagged its first Texas office last year through a combination with a four-attorney Dallas bankruptcy boutique. Simpson Thacher could not immediately be reached Friday for additional comment. Nemecek advises distressed companies, private equity funds, and opportunistic credit investors, the firm said Thursday in a statement announcing his arrival as head of the newly formed capital structure solutions practice. The practice area integrates Simpson Thacher's liability management and special situations and restructuring offerings into a single global team, the firm said. Nemecek said in a statement, "Simpson Thacher has one of the world's premier global legal advisory platforms grounded in excellence, unparalleled client service, and deep, long-term relationships. "Helping launch its capital structure solutions practice, alongside partners who are both exceptional lawyers and true collaborators, is a rare opportunity, and I am honored to join the team as we focus on providing the best advice to our clients." The practice will provide companies, sponsors, and lenders with conflict-free guidance aligned with client goals across the array of modern capital challenges, the firm said. The group's work will include advising on financing strategy, liability management, distressed mergers and acquisitions, and Chapter 11 restructurings, the firm said. Alden Millard, chair of Simpson Thacher's executive committee, said in a statement, "Dave is widely regarded as the preeminent architect of modern liability management and is one of the most influential advisers to distressed companies of his generation. "Over the past decade, companies, sponsors, lenders, and creditors have all turned to Dave for his expertise in solving their most difficult capital structure challenges. We are thrilled to welcome him to the firm and are excited about what lies ahead." The firm said the creation of the practice group and Nemecek's addition are a reflection of its commitment to provide clients with solutions for critical and complex capital needs. Alexandra Kaplan and Brian Steinhardt, co-heads of Simpson Thacher's banking and credit practice, said in a joint statement: "Clients are facing an increasingly dynamic capital environment. "They need counsel from multidisciplinary practitioners that combines technical excellence with strategic judgment, proven expertise, and innovation. We are making a long-term investment to build a destination capital structure solutions practice under Dave's leadership, enhancing our capabilities to deliver the most sophisticated, innovative, and solutions-oriented advice in the market." Nemecek practiced with Kirkland for 15 years before departing for Simpson Thacher, his LinkedIn profile shows. Earlier in his career, he practiced with Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, and Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP. Nemecek earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and holds a bachelor's degree from Northwestern University.

Feb 20

3 min

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP today announced that Young Bin (“Peter”) Bang has joined the Firm’s Los Angeles office as a Partner in the Banking and Credit Practice.~~Peter advises prominent private equity sponsors, portfolio companies and public and private borrowers across a broad spectrum of complex financing transactions, including acquisition financings, recapitalizations and refinancings. His practice spans industries from technology and telecommunications to manufacturing and industrials and media and entertainment.~~“Simpson Thacher’s Banking and Credit team is renowned for its leveraged and acquisition finance solutions for clients on their most significant matters. Peter’s experience advising on complex financing transactions will be an asset to our clients,” said Alexandra Kaplan, Co-Head of Simpson Thacher’s Global Banking and Credit Practice. “Peter is incredibly talented and is known for his creativity in developing comprehensive financings for clients’ M&A deals and other borrowing needs. We are pleased to welcome him to Simpson Thacher,” continued Brian Steinhardt, Co-Head of Simpson Thacher’s Global Banking and Credit Practice.~~“With over 70 attorneys in Los Angeles, Peter’s joining marks the latest step in the growth of our L.A. office as we continue to deepen our bench on the West Coast. Peter will be a great addition to the office and our clients are going to immediately benefit from his expertise,” said Tom Wuchenich, who leads Simpson Thacher’s Los Angeles office. “Simpson Thacher is known for advising on many of the most important deals in the market and I am excited to collaborate with the Firm’s fantastic team,” said Peter.~~Clients rely on Simpson Thacher’s market-leading Banking and Credit Practice for advice on an array of complex credit transactions and financial instruments at all levels of the corporate capital structure. This includes alternative lending (including direct lending), acquisition finance (including bridge financing), leveraged finance, investment grade finance, fund finance and infrastructure finance. Ranked #1 by Loan Pricing Corporation based on volume and value of deals in 2024, the integrated team of lawyers practicing around the globe provides comprehensive advice and serves the global debt platforms and needs of Simpson Thacher’s clients. Built over nearly three decades, the Los Angeles office has been entrusted by clients to handle their most significant private equity fundraisings, mergers and acquisitions, and financing transactions, as well as their most critical consumer class actions, securities litigation and other complex legal disputes.~~For more information, please click here.

Jan 4

2 min

Portland General Electric Company and Manulife Investment Management have paid $1.9 billion to obtain electrical provider PacifiCorp's Washington state assets in a cash deal guided by Latham & Watkins LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP. According to the announcement, the assets include PacifiCorp's "generation, transmission and electric utility operations." After the related regulatory filings are submitted, the state and federal regulators are supposed to wrap up their acquisition reviews in 12 months, the announcement added. Part of these assets constitutes power lines that stretch for 4,500 miles and utility operations that are located 2,700 square miles across the state, according to the announcement. "We are excited for the opportunity to continue to grow, expanding into Washington and building upon PGE's foundation of operational excellence and customer service," said PGE's president and CEO Maria Pope in a Tuesday statement. "We look forward to our partnership with Manulife Investment Management, who brings a track record of investment success across the utility sector and Pacific Northwest agriculture and timberland industries," Pope added. On Tuesday, Manulife Investment Management's global head of infrastructure Recep Kendircioglu said Manulife's PGE partnership "represents an opportunity that fits well within our infrastructure strategy and leverages our experience in utility investments." The acquisition deal allows PGE to obtain the 94-megawatt Goodnoe Hills wind power facility, the 477-megawatt Chehalis natural gas facility, and the Marengo I and Marengo II facilities, which are wind power facilities that have 234 megawatts of power combined, the announcement said. PGE will use another company to oversee the Washington assets, according to the announcement. Also, Manulife Infrastructure Fund III LP and the fund's affiliates will own 49% of the utility assets, the announcement stated. On Tuesday, PacifiCorp's CEO Darin Carroll said the asset sale "is a targeted step toward ensuring the continued delivery of safe, reliable power to our nearly 2 million customers in the West and Intermountain West." "This will improve the company's financial stability while simplifying our operations to support our long-term commitment to customers in each of our remaining states," Carroll also said. PGE, Manulife and PacifiCorp did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on Tuesday. PGE is represented by Michael Sullivan, Ryan Maierson, Erik Thompson, Elena Burns, Cameron Koob, Zach Kobayashi, Riann Winget, Brock Meyer, Skyler Ligon, Genie Yae, Caroline Phillips, Sharon Huberfeld, Jeremie Ruiz, Jeffrey Tochner, Sebastian Moss, Pardis Zomorodi, Dominick Constantino, Jason Cruise, Andrew Paik, Natasha Gianvecchio, Jecoliah Williams, Michelle L.C. Carpenter, Peter Dalmasy, Oswald Cousins, Marc Campopiano, Brian McCall, James Mann, David Rao, Daniel Eyal, Chika Onyejiukwa, Harrison White, Robert Brown, Stuart Cobb, Sony Ben-Moshe, Bryan Monson, Jackson Kushner, Steven Levine, Shelby Harrison and Daniel Eyal of Latham & Watkins LLP. Manulife is represented by Brian Chisling, Katy Lukaszewski, Paul Bolaji, Oleg Stratiev, Natasha Kandi, Selim Loetscher, Brian Steinhardt, Brandon Barton, David Kim, Owen Harrison, Jonathan Goldstein, Shareef M. Salfity, Preston Irace, Alysha Sekhon, Margerite Blasé, Tally Smitas, Tristan Brown, Ryan Stott, Skyler Kanfer, Krista McManus, Dennis Loiacono and Steve DeLott of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. PacifiCorp is represented by Andrew Kaplan, Christopher Lang, Nicolette Fata, Aliya Zuberi, Becca Pecora, Patrick Perrier, Eric Sloan, Yara Mansour, Jason Zhang, Dean Masuda, Doug Horowitz, Meghan Hungate, Jocelyn Shih and Michael Collins of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Feb 17

3 min

Portland General Electric Company and Manulife Investment Management have paid $1.9 billion to obtain electrical provider PacifiCorp's Washington state assets in a cash deal guided by Latham & Watkins LLP, Baker Botts LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP. According to the announcement, the assets include PacifiCorp's "generation, transmission and electric utility operations." After the related regulatory filings are submitted, the state and federal regulators are supposed to wrap up their acquisition reviews in 12 months, the announcement added. Part of these assets constitutes power lines that stretch for 4,500 miles and utility operations that are located 2,700 square miles across the state, according to the announcement. PGE's financial advisers for the deal were J.P. Morgan, Barclays, Citi, and Lazard, the announcement said. Manulife's financial adviser was Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC. "We are excited for the opportunity to continue to grow, expanding into Washington and building upon PGE's foundation of operational excellence and customer service," said PGE's president and CEO Maria Pope in a Tuesday statement. "We look forward to our partnership with Manulife Investment Management, who brings a track record of investment success across the utility sector and Pacific Northwest agriculture and timberland industries," Pope added. On Tuesday, Manulife Investment Management's global head of infrastructure Recep Kendircioglu said Manulife's PGE partnership "represents an opportunity that fits well within our infrastructure strategy and leverages our experience in utility investments." The acquisition deal allows PGE to obtain the 94-megawatt Goodnoe Hills wind power facility, the 477-megawatt Chehalis natural gas facility, and the Marengo I and Marengo II facilities, which are wind power facilities that have 234 megawatts of power combined, the announcement said. PGE will use another company to oversee the Washington assets, according to the announcement. Also, Manulife Infrastructure Fund III LP and the fund's affiliates will own 49% of the utility assets, the announcement stated. On Tuesday, PacifiCorp's CEO Darin Carroll said the asset sale "is a targeted step toward ensuring the continued delivery of safe, reliable power to our nearly 2 million customers in the West and Intermountain West." "This will improve the company's financial stability while simplifying our operations to support our long-term commitment to customers in each of our remaining states," Carroll also said. PGE, Manulife and PacifiCorp did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on Tuesday. PGE is represented by Michael Sullivan, Ryan Maierson, Erik Thompson, Elena Burns, Cameron Koob, Zach Kobayashi, Riann Winget, Brock Meyer, Skyler Ligon, Genie Yae, Caroline Phillips, Sharon Huberfeld, Jeremie Ruiz, Jeffrey Tochner, Sebastian Moss, Pardis Zomorodi, Dominick Constantino, Jason Cruise, Andrew Paik, Natasha Gianvecchio, Jecoliah Williams, Michelle L.C. Carpenter, Peter Dalmasy, Oswald Cousins, Marc Campopiano, Brian McCall, James Mann, David Rao, Daniel Eyal, Chika Onyejiukwa, Harrison White, Robert Brown, Stuart Cobb, Sony Ben-Moshe, Bryan Monson, Jackson Kushner, Steven Levine, Shelby Harrison and Daniel Eyal of Latham & Watkins LLP. Manulife is represented by Brian Chisling, Katy Lukaszewski, Paul Bolaji, Oleg Stratiev, Natasha Kandi, Selim Loetscher, Brian Steinhardt, Brandon Barton, David Kim, Owen Harrison, Jonathan Goldstein, Shareef M. Salfity, Preston Irace, Alysha Sekhon, Margerite Blasé, Tally Smitas, Tristan Brown, Ryan Stott, Skyler Kanfer, Krista McManus, Dennis Loiacono and Steve DeLott of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. PacifiCorp is represented by Andrew Kaplan, Christopher Lang, Nicolette Fata, Aliya Zuberi, Becca Pecora, Patrick Perrier, Eric Sloan, Yara Mansour, Jason Zhang, Dean Masuda, Doug Horowitz, Meghan Hungate, Jocelyn Shih and Michael Collins of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Lazard is represented by Clint Rancher, Josh Davidson and Lakshmi Ramanathan of Baker Botts LLP.

Feb 17

3 min