Law firms ‘Eventually you have to learn to trust yourself’ – Simpson Thacher’s Deborah Gruen on succeeding in law Elisha Juttla · 11 March 2025 · 3 min read Corporate and M&A DEI Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Deborah Gruen, a former US Paralympic swimmer, now funds partner at Simpson Thacher in New York, reflects on the key skills needed to thrive in corporate law and the importance of setting personal goalsWhy did you decide to become a funds lawyer? Your limit of 1 article in 30 days is up. Please login for full access or subscribe. Corporate users - click here for simple access (no password needed). For more information, please contact [email protected] Related ContentMore in this category‘The hardest part is building critical mass’ – as Big Law flocks to Dallas, what do firms need to succeed?Law firmsAlex Ryan24 Apr 2026Linklaters and Slaughters lead on £1.4bn takeover of FTSE 250 manufacturer SeniorLaw firmsWill Lewallen10 Apr 2026Trading places: Kirkland launches Phildaelphia transactions practice as Sidley hires Cravath ECM partnerLaw firmsWill Lewallen10 Apr 2026S&C and HSF Kramer lead as Lazard acquires Campbell Lutyens in latest secondaries tie-upLaw firmsWill Lewallen1 May 2026‘Some of the best results we’ve ever had’ – Keystone passes £100mLaw firmsTom Cox30 Apr 2026Kirkland, Skadden, Freshfields elevate €29.4bn lift dealLaw firmsKate Peacock29 Apr 2026‘It isn’t enough to raise awareness’ – Freshfields’ Reena Parmar on how to create accountable change for disabled lawyersLaw firmsWill Lewallen1 May 2026‘I’ve learned not to take keyboard warriors seriously’ – Garden Court’s Oscar Davies on practising law in the culture warLaw firmsEliza Winter27 Apr 2026Legal 500 ESG Awards – meet the contenders for internal support network of the yearLaw firmsAlex Ryan17 Apr 2026