Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced today that Marni Lerner has been named as Head of the Firm’s market-leading global Private Equity Mergers and Acquisitions Practice.
“Marni is a preeminent M&A lawyer who has advised clients on some of the market’s most notable transactions,” said Bill Dougherty, Chairman of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee. “Our clients will benefit from her leadership of our Private Equity M&A practice as their legal and business needs continue to evolve.”
Through more than 20 years of corporate deal making, Marni has advised a wide range of clients on a variety of significant, complex and record-breaking transactions. She has represented some of the world’s largest private equity sponsors, such as KKR, as well as middle-market and independent boutique firms. She has also advised sponsors’ portfolio companies, including US Foods, Del Monte, Visant, Lake Region Medical and Nielsen Holdings.
Marni has represented national and multi-national corporate clients, including Global Payments in its $4.3 billion acquisition of Heartland and Dollar General in its $9.7 billion contested proposal to acquire Family Dollar. She has also advised the special committees of the boards of Clearwire and DirecTV in connection with significant M&A transactions.
Marni is recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers in Business and The Legal 500 United States for her transactional work. In 2014, she was named a Private Equity MVP by Law360.
Marni joined Simpson Thacher in 1991 and became a partner in 1999. Marni received her B.A., summa cum laude, from Amherst College in 1988, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She received her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1991.
Simpson Thacher’s market-leading private equity practice has advised many of the largest and most iconic names in the industry as well as numerous middle-market funds and independent boutiques. Private equity clients seek the Firm’s counsel across the full private equity lifecycle–fund formation, financing solutions, investments, portfolio company advisory and exit strategies, including IPOs and dispositions.