Key Takeaways
- • Simpson Thacher launches its 16th global office in Chicago by recruiting a five-partner team from Kirkland & Ellis, marking the firm's strategic entry into one of the United States' largest private capital markets.
- • Five named partners lead the Chicago expansion: Ryan Harris (managing partner, former head of private investment and family office practice at Kirkland), Cole Parker, Kyle McHugh, Ryan Jackson, and Ziyad Ziyadzade, collectively bringing 11+ years of partnership-level experience at Kirkland.
- • The team brings established relationships with major mid-market private equity sponsors including Bain Capital, Thoma Bravo, GTCR, ParkerGale Capital, and Beecken Petty O'Keefe & Company (BPOC), positioning Simpson Thacher to capture significant transactional mandates in the region.
- • Recent deal experience includes $2.5 billion transaction: In 2020, Harris advised GTCR-backed Lytx on its sale to Permira Funds; the team has also worked on BPOC's Cranial Technologies divestiture and ParkerGale's investment in RedZone Technologies.
- • Strategic focus targets mid-market private equity fund formation and family office advisory services, with Simpson Thacher's leadership emphasizing expansion of transactional, regulatory, and disputes practices in Chicago's dynamic investment ecosystem.
Summary
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has announced the opening of its Chicago office—its 16th globally—through the recruitment of a five-partner team from rival Kirkland & Ellis. The move represents a significant competitive expansion for the firm, bringing established private equity and family office advisory capabilities into one of North America's premier private capital hubs.
The incoming team is led by Ryan Harris, who served 11 years as a partner at Kirkland and previously practiced at McDermott Will & Emery. Harris headed Kirkland's private investment and family office practice before joining Simpson Thacher. He is joined by Cole Parker, Kyle McHugh, Ryan Jackson, and Ziyad Ziyadzade. Collectively, this group brings deep relationships with major institutional clients spanning both national and Chicago-based investment firms, including Bain Capital, Thoma Bravo, GTCR, ParkerGale Capital, and Beecken Petty O'Keefe & Company (BPOC).
The team's transaction experience underscores their market positioning. In 2020, Harris advised GTCR-backed Lytx on its $2.5 billion sale to Permira Funds. More recently, team members have advised on BPOC's Cranial Technologies divestiture and ParkerGale's RedZone Technologies investment. This track record in mid-market private equity and growth transactions directly aligns with Simpson Thacher's stated objective to expand its advisory capabilities for private equity sponsors and family offices.
According to Alden Millard, chair of Simpson Thacher's executive committee, the Chicago expansion will "significantly expand the firm's ability to advise mid-market private equity funds and other private capital clients." Harris stated the firm intends to build a "major presence" in Chicago, signaling commitment beyond the initial five-partner hire. The firm cites the opportunity to serve clients across M&A, leveraged buyouts, growth and venture investments, restructurings, divestitures, and financings in a region with substantial private investment activity and talent concentration.
The incoming team is led by Ryan Harris, who served 11 years as a partner at Kirkland and previously practiced at McDermott Will & Emery. Harris headed Kirkland's private investment and family office practice before joining Simpson Thacher. He is joined by Cole Parker, Kyle McHugh, Ryan Jackson, and Ziyad Ziyadzade. Collectively, this group brings deep relationships with major institutional clients spanning both national and Chicago-based investment firms, including Bain Capital, Thoma Bravo, GTCR, ParkerGale Capital, and Beecken Petty O'Keefe & Company (BPOC).
The team's transaction experience underscores their market positioning. In 2020, Harris advised GTCR-backed Lytx on its $2.5 billion sale to Permira Funds. More recently, team members have advised on BPOC's Cranial Technologies divestiture and ParkerGale's RedZone Technologies investment. This track record in mid-market private equity and growth transactions directly aligns with Simpson Thacher's stated objective to expand its advisory capabilities for private equity sponsors and family offices.
According to Alden Millard, chair of Simpson Thacher's executive committee, the Chicago expansion will "significantly expand the firm's ability to advise mid-market private equity funds and other private capital clients." Harris stated the firm intends to build a "major presence" in Chicago, signaling commitment beyond the initial five-partner hire. The firm cites the opportunity to serve clients across M&A, leveraged buyouts, growth and venture investments, restructurings, divestitures, and financings in a region with substantial private investment activity and talent concentration.
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