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 categoryTrading Places: Gibson Dunn picks up Paul Weiss disputes trio as Latham finance pair move to V&ELaw firmsWill Lewallen25 Sep 2026‘Seismic changes’ – breaking down the Weil US exits as firmwide departures near 30Law firm dataAlex Ryan16 Sep 2026Trio of law firms advise as offshore leader takes external investmentLaw firmsEliza Winter14 Sep 2026A&O Shearman and HSFK lead as Airtel plans landmark London IPOLaw firmsWill Lewallen24 Sep 2026Unpacking the latest Weil exits: the London storyLaw firmsKate Peacock21 Sep 2026‘If lawyers are intimidated, the entire system suffers’ – ABA president Michelle Behnke on an unprecedented yearLaw firmsTheresa Hargreaves30 Jun 2026Pride 2026: ‘Some firms can be a lot of talk and less substance’ – in-house leaders on LGBTQ+ inclusion in lawIn-HouseTheresa Hargreaves26 Jun 2026‘Being out isn’t a barrier to progression’ – Stevens & Bolton’s Sophie Ashcroft on coming out later in lifeLaw firmsAlex Ryan25 Jun 2026LB100 2026: UK leaders prioritise profit over headcount as revenues surge to £43bnLaw firmsBen Wheway25 Sep 2026