Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced today that Russell Light has joined its Tax Practice as a Partner in the Firm’s New York office. He joins the Firm from Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Russell is one of the leading transactional tax attorneys in New York and has extensive experience advising on the tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions, buyouts, private equity investments and fund formation matters. He also has experience advising on tax issues surrounding debt restructurings and other bankruptcy matters, public and closely-held entities and transactions involving special purpose acquisition companies (“SPACs”) and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”). 

“Russell’s significant, versatile experience will further bolster our ability to provide the Firm’s corporate and private equity clients with sophisticated and innovative legal advice on complex and cross-border tax matters,” said Bill Dougherty, Chairman of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee. “We are very pleased to welcome him to the Firm.”

Nancy Mehlman, Head of the Firm’s Tax Practice, added, “The breadth of Russell’s experience is remarkable. His work on tax issues surrounding mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions and fund formation, as well as in special situations and countercyclical events involving distressed investments and restructuring matters, makes him a perfect fit for Simpson Thacher’s multifaceted Tax Practice.”

Simpson Thacher’s Tax Practice is continuously called upon by multinational corporations, banks, investment funds and other sophisticated businesses for advice on their largest and most complex transactions. The global team works closely with colleagues in the Firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity, Capital Markets, Private Funds and Real Estate Practices, among others, to offer clients the full spectrum of deal and fund capabilities.

“Simpson Thacher’s Tax Practice is renowned and the Firm’s global, multidisciplinary platform is a wonderful match for my practice. I am excited to work alongside the Firm’s incredibly talented bench of lawyers to help clients achieve their business goals,” said Russell.

Russell received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and a Master of Engineering and B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.