Department profile
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above
UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide
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Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
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Work Highlights
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Simpson Thacher & Bartlett advised Sixth Street Partners in connection with its acquisition of Cala, alongside Patron Capital, from Legal & General Group.
Strengths
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Simpson Thacher has high-calibre M&A professionals who are deeply familiar with buyouts and know how to swiftly cut to the heart of issues.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUKSimpson Thacher has a deep level of expertise and a high-quality team. The team are highly responsive and provide sophisticated advice under pressure.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUKThe firm is able to work in complicated commercial situations and is able to apply exceptional legal judgement under extreme time pressure.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUK
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 3 
Band 3 Amy Mahon
Amy Mahon is well known for the strength of her private equity practice, particularly as it pertains to deals in the infrastructure space. Her client base consists of well-known private equity sponsors and corporates. Amy is super responsive and to the point.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUKAmy can be relied on to deliver when it matters the most.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUK
Band 3 
Band 3 Clare Gaskell
Clare Gaskell counts a number of highly regarded private equity sponsors among her list of clients. She routinely advises with respect to domestic and cross-border M&A deals and takeovers, among other matters. Clare is a sophisticated attorney with excellent commercial awareness.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUKClare is great - she knows what matters and what doesn't, and she provides practical advice.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUK
Band 3 
Band 3 Geoffrey Bailhache
Geoffrey Bailhache is well known in the market both for his skilful handling of private equity deals and for his prior role as managing director of a major private equity house. He is deeply experienced in the full range of private equity mandates including acquisitions, disposals, leveraged buyouts and strategic minority investments.
Geoffrey is an outstanding M&A practitioner.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUKGeoffrey is excellent.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUK
Band 4 
Band 4 James R Howe
James Howe has experience advising prominent private equity sponsors on complex transactions. He also maintains expertise in M&A and is able to advise on cross-border deals.
James is the complete private equity lawyer. He has outstanding commercial acumen, is a prolific dealmaker and consistently delivers.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUKJames brings the combination of commercial acumen, clear and transparent communication, and exceptional execution.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUKJames is highly intelligent, thoughtful, and his advice is outstanding. He combines tactical execution with market-leading advice and ideas.
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above respondentUK
Ranked Individuals at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (4)
UK-wide
Amy Mahon
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above
View profile Clare Gaskell
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above
View profile Geoffrey Bailhache
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above
View profile James R Howe
Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above
View profile
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 Global 2026
Practice area: Private Equity
Location: Global: Multi-Jurisdictional
View department profile for Global 2026
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