Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced a significant expansion of its Insurance Transactional and Regulatory team with the addition of Dennis Manfredi, Joseph Cosentino, and Benjamin Kralstein, who will join the firm as partners in the Mergers and Acquisitions Practice. The team brings extensive experience advising on sophisticated insurance M&A, reinsurance, private equity-backed insurance transactions, and complex regulatory matters. Dennis and Joe will join Jared Wilner as co-heads of the firm’s Insurance Transactional and Regulatory team.
Dennis counsels insurance companies, financial institutions, and investors on a broad range of transactional and regulatory matters, including mergers and acquisitions, domestic and cross-border reinsurance transactions, reinsurance collateral arrangements, pension risk transfer transactions, and structured finance matters such as private equity-backed life and annuity sidecars. Joe represents clients in connection with mergers, tender offers, and stock and asset acquisitions in the insurance sector, having represented acquirers, targets, boards of directors, special committees, investment banks, and investors in complex negotiated and unsolicited public and private transactions. Ben advises U.S. and non-U.S. insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries, investors, and financial institutions on transactional and regulatory matters in the insurance and reinsurance industry, with extensive experience in reinsurance transactions, sidecar transactions, pension risk transfer transactions, and insurance securitizations.
Simpson Thacher’s Mergers and Acquisitions Practice has been repeatedly recognized around the world by Chambers, Legal 500, The American Lawyer, Law360, and others. The firm’s Insurance Transactional and Regulatory team is a market leader, advising clients on transactions ranging from multi-billion-dollar acquisitions to complex reinsurance structures and strategic partnerships for top insurers and private equity sponsors.
KEY QUOTES:
“The convergence of private equity and insurance continues to reshape the market, as asset managers and insurers increasingly join forces to pursue innovative capital strategies and long-term growth opportunities.”
“Dennis, Joe and Ben have been at the center of some of the most significant transactions at the intersection of private equity and insurance, and their addition will be an asset to our sponsor clients.”
Alden Millard, Chair, Simpson Thacher Executive Committee
“Dennis, Joe and Ben’s combined transactional and regulatory expertise spans the full spectrum of insurance and reinsurance matters. Their arrival significantly deepens our bench and enhances our ability to advise insurers, reinsurers, asset managers and investors on their most complex and innovative transactions.”
“I have tremendous respect for Dennis, Joe and Ben, and could not be more excited to be on the same team.”
Jared Wilner, Co-Head, Insurance Transactional and Regulatory Team, Simpson Thacher
“The addition of this team underscores the continued momentum of our M&A platform and the growing importance of insurance as a strategic priority for our clients, and their capabilities will further enhance our ability to deliver integrated advice across the insurance ecosystem.”
Eric Swedenburg, Global Head, Mergers and Acquisitions Practice, Simpson Thacher
“Our private equity clients are increasingly active in the insurance sector, from sidecars and reinsurance vehicles to strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Dennis, Joe and Ben are precisely the kind of talent our clients need to navigate this dynamic landscape, and we are excited to welcome them to Simpson Thacher.”
Elizabeth Cooper, Global Head of Private Equity, Simpson Thacher
“Simpson Thacher’s preeminent M&A, private equity and financing capabilities, combine with its premier client base, make it an unrivaled platform to serve the insurance industry at a moment of significant opportunity.”
Dennis Manfredi, Partner, Simpson Thacher
“The Firm’s collaborative culture, sophisticated dealmaking capabilities and deep relationships across the private equity and insurance markets are uniquely aligned with where the industry is headed.”
Joseph Cosentino, Partner, Simpson Thacher
“Simpson Thacher’s momentum in the market is unmistakable. I’m excited about the opportunity to work alongside my colleagues to help grow the Insurance Transactional and Regulatory team.”
Benjamin Kralstein, Partner, Simpson Thacher
