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 categoryOpen for business: top antitrust lawyers on getting deals done in Trump’s second termLaw firmsIman Tribak24 Jul 2026Revolving Doors: Simpson Thacher builds London fund finance practice, while Latham bolsters Brussels antitrustLaw firmsNews Editor17 Jul 2026EQT’s biggest deals: which firms are winning the trophy mandates in Europe?Law firmsWill Lewallen14 Jul 2026US firms lead as KKR snaps up latest FTSE 100 company in £5.75bn energy take-privateLaw firmsKate Peacock27 Jul 2026Resolution Life’s legal chief on segueing from GC to a CEO role – and back againIn-HouseTheresa Hargreaves27 Jul 2026‘Clearly a stronger business than last year’ – Travers hits revenue record with 9% growthLaw firmsTom Cox21 Jul 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 2026