Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has recruited David Nemecek, a highly regarded partner from Kirkland & Ellis, to serve as a partner and head of its newly established Capital Structure Solutions Practice, marking a strategic expansion of the firm’s capabilities in advising on complex capital issues.
The new practice unifies Simpson Thacher’s liability management, special situations, and restructuring teams into a single global group designed to advise companies, sponsors, and lenders across the full spectrum of capital structure challenges — including financing strategy, liability management exercises, distressed mergers and acquisitions, and in-court Chapter 11 restructurings. As part of this expansion, the firm also announced plans to open an office in Dallas, reflecting its investment in the region’s growing client, capital, and talent base.
Nemecek, who spent 15 years at Kirkland & Ellis and previously held roles at Skadden Arps, Gibson Dunn, and Cravath Swaine & Moore, is widely recognized for his work advising distressed companies, private equity funds, and opportunistic credit investors. His appointment underscores Simpson Thacher’s commitment to building out a destination practice that combines strategic judgment, technical excellence, and innovative, solutions-oriented advice for clients navigating an evolving capital markets landscape.
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“Dave is widely regarded as the preeminent architect of modern liability management and is one of the most influential advisers to distressed companies of his generation.”
Alden Millard, Chair of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee
“Clients are facing an increasingly dynamic capital environment. They need counsel from multidisciplinary practitioners that combines technical excellence with strategic judgment, proven expertise and innovation. We are making a long-term investment to build a destination Capital Structure Solutions Practice under Dave’s leadership, enhancing our capabilities to deliver the most sophisticated, innovative and solutions-oriented advice in the market.”
Alexandra Kaplan and Brian Steinhardt, Co-Heads of the Firm’s Banking and Credit Practice
“Simpson Thacher has one of the world’s premier global legal advisory platforms grounded in excellence, unparalleled client service and deep, long-term relationships. Helping launch its Capital Structure Solutions Practice, alongside partners who are both exceptional lawyers and true collaborators, is a rare opportunity, and I am honored to join the team as we focus on providing the best advice to our clients.”
David Nemecek, Partner and Head of Capital Structure Solutions Practice at Simpson Thacher
