Martin Bell

Martin Bell is a Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Litigation Department, a member of the Firm’s Government and Internal Investigations Practice, and one of the leaders of Simpson Thacher’s Anti-Discrimination Litigation and Advisory Practice. A former federal prosecutor and accomplished trial lawyer, he represents companies, boards and executives in government and internal investigations and high-profile disputes. Martin served for over ten years in the Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. He investigated and prosecuted a variety of financial and corruption-related crimes, including securities, accounting, and other financial fraud, bribery, obstruction of justice, money laundering, sanctions violations, criminal civil rights violations, and various offenses giving rise to civil and criminal asset forfeiture. Martin’s recent representations at the company level include a financial institution in the complete dismissal of a “data exposure” class action; a major financial institution in a criminal investigation involving possible PPP loan fraud by its employees; and a non-profit in its dealings with the FARA Unit of the Department of Justice. His recent individual representations include the CEO of a biopharmaceutical company at trial on fraud charges in the Southern District of New York; the President and CEO of a publicly traded energy company in connection with an internal investigation; a prominent trading card collector at trial in the Southern District of New York; the campaign finance chair for a candidate for statewide office in connection with a Southern District of New York investigation; and the head of an institute of higher learning in connection with an internal investigation.

Partner at Simpson Thacher since 2021. Adjunct Professor, New York Law School (2020-2022). Assistant United States Attorney, Southern District of New York (2010-2021); Law Clerk for Hon. Eric N. Vitaliano, United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (2007-2008). Previously at Paul Weiss (Associate, 2006-2007 and 2008-2010).

First Judicial Department, Attorney Grievance Committee Member

S.D.N.Y. Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel

Office of the Appellate Defender, Board of Directors

Harvard Law School Association of New York City, Board of Directors

Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Board of Trustees

Brooklyn Debate League, Board of Trustees

David Rockefeller Fellow (2026)

Harvard University, B.A., cum laude, 2003; Harvard Law School, J.D., 2006.