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Kirkland & Ellis ramps up talent raids on rival Simpson Thacher

There is a growing cohort of influential ex-Simpson Thacher partners at Kirkland & Ellis

Kirkland & Ellis has rebuilt its London ranks after a series of exits (Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Kirkland & Ellis has rebuilt its London ranks after a series of exits (Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images) Photo: LightRocket via Getty Images

US legal giant Kirkland & Ellis lost a string of key partners to Paul Weiss this year. It has now turned to a familiar rival to restock its ranks — New York private equity law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Two of Simpson Thacher’s top finance partners in London, Ian Barratt and Sinead O’Shea, joined last week in the latest in a flurry of hires by Kirkland from its US rival.

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