Training Contracts at Simpson Thacher

Simpson Thacher retains its status as a premier firm by hiring premier candidates. And with only 50 lawyers employed at its London office, competition for places is perhaps even tougher than at the larger top firms. Prestige ranks second to achievement however, with grades deemed more important than the institution where they were attained. That said, competition is extremely high, and a large percentage of trainees come from the Ivy League.

Garnering a chance through an exceptional CV, successful applicants will be sharp, independent thinkers, who work well within a team. High pressure and stressful situations abound at Simpson Thacher, so driven and composed candidates will stand a far better chance. And finally, once all the interviews are complete, the firm will only make an offer to candidates who are unanimously accepted by the entire team.

Simpson Thacher Graduate Recruitment Info

Application Deadlines: Training Contracts: 31st July 2012

How to apply: www.stblaw.com/sitecontent.cfm?contentID=24&itemID=257

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Profile & Stats

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is the most profitable US law firm operating in the UK, maintaining its enviable position with one London office and a staff of approximately 50 lawyers. Although rated highly in M&A, banking and capital markets, Simpson Thacher has a more versatile operation than its competitors, with strong practices in private equity and litigation.

The firm was founded by three Alexander & Green law clerks, in 1884 – Columbia graduates John W Simpson, Thomas Thacher and William M Barnum – initially as Simpson Thacher & Barnum. The firm forged its reputation in US law through its work for industrial organisations – from railroad to mining companies. And by the end of the First World War, Simpson Thacher was representing clients in Europe, Asia and South America.

Making its European bow, in 1978, with the opening of its London office, Simpson Thacher has since refrained from expanding further on the Continent. Initially, the firm’s solitary European office was only staffed with US qualified lawyers, calling upon regional experts to assist in specifics as and when the work required. Simpson Thacher operated in this fashion for over 20 years; however, in 2002 this all changed. Up until this point, the US secondment could only act as a general counsel, but now, with its UK reinforcements, it can advise on the local issues of its clients’ transactions. As yet, Simpson Thacher has eschewed full English corporate capability, believing it can serve its clients best by teaming up with other European firms. But it still remains a possibility – one that its competitors are all too fearfully aware of.

Although reluctant to expand further in Europe, this doesn’t fairly represent the firm's international outlook elsewhere. Simpson Thacher has eminent capital markets and M&A practices in Beijing, Hong Kong and Tokyo, with a client list including Shinsei Bank, Elpida Memory and Seiko Epson Corporation.

Simpson Thacher stands tall in UK law in no small part due to its herculean private equity clients, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) and Blackstone. The firm managed to land these high profile clients through three strategic lateral hires. In 2002, Simpson made its first illustrious appointment in Allen & Overy’s Euan Gorrie, who had worked with Blackstone for his former employers. 2003 brought with it Stephen Short, who in turn brought connections to Blackstone and JP Morgan. Then in 2005, another Allen Overy defector – Tony Keal – joined, bringing with him a solid relationship with KKR.

In addition to its formidable M&A and private equity client base, Simpson Thacher also has a strong reputation in banking, having represented in recent years: JPMorgan, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Wachovia, UBS and Travelers. Not to be outdone, the litigation department is one of the best in the world and handles work on behalf of multinational clients, criminal investigations and anti-trust cases.

US law firms operating in the UK have a reputation for paying above and beyond even the biggest players in the industry. Simpson Thacher is no exception. In addition to its market leading remuneration, it protects its solicitors from the diminishing dollar by converting its US salaries using a favourable, fixed exchange rate.