Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has expanded its Banking and Credit Practice with the addition of Sam Saunders as Partner in New York. Saunders joins from Kirkland & Ellis, bringing extensive experience in energy and infrastructure development and financing.
Saunders has built a career advising on the full lifecycle of energy and infrastructure projects, from early-stage joint ventures and project development to acquisition financings, restructurings, and bankruptcy matters. His experience spans both U.S. and international markets, advising private equity and strategic investors, developers, and lenders on a range of financing structures, including commercial bank facilities, private credit, private placements, export credit agency financings, Department of Energy financings, mezzanine facilities, and tax credit monetizations. His portfolio includes transactions involving renewable power, battery storage, EVs, hydrogen, CCUS, LNG, pipelines, petrochemicals, manufacturing, transmission, and data infrastructure.
Firm leaders said Saunders’ appointment aligns with Simpson Thacher’s ongoing expansion across sectors experiencing vigorous investor activity, particularly in energy and infrastructure. His arrival is expected to enhance the firm’s capabilities in advising clients on complex and evolving financing matters.
Simpson Thacher’s Banking and Credit Practice is a top-ranked team recognized by Chambers USA for its work across credit transactions and financial instruments at all levels of the corporate capital structure.
The group has advised on more than $1.8 trillion in banking transactions over the past five years, encompassing areas such as alternative and direct lending, acquisition and bridge financing, leveraged finance, investment-grade finance, fund finance, and infrastructure finance. And its Energy and Infrastructure Practice also advises funds and corporates through all stages of the investment cycle.
KEY QUOTES:
“Sam’s deep experience in banking and credit as well as energy and infrastructure directly overlaps with sectors where we are actively expanding. As sponsor and strategic clients increasingly invest in these areas, his arrival will enhance our ability to provide sophisticated, market-leading advice as investors navigate complex financing matters.”
Brian Steinhardt, Co-Head of Simpson Thacher’s Banking and Credit Practice
“As we continue to see an increase in large-scale energy and infrastructure financings, Sam’s experience strengthens our ability to advise clients across all key energy and infrastructure markets on their most complex matters. His market knowledge, technical skill and legal acumen will be an immediate asset to clients.”
Matt Einbinder, Partner in the Firm’s Energy and Infrastructure Practice and Co-Managing Partner of its Houston office
“I’m thrilled to join Simpson Thacher and work with my new colleagues across New York, Houston and other offices. The Firm’s deep experience in the banking and credit landscape—particularly in developing innovative financing and development structures—provides an exciting platform for me to grow my practice and help clients across the evolving energy and infrastructure space.”
Sam Saunders, Partner, Banking and Credit Practice, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
