Law firms Simpson Thacher opens in Chicago with five-partner hire from Kirkland Kate Peacock · 6 August 2026 · 2 min read United States Kirkland & Ellis Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has launched in Chicago, hiring a five-partner team from rival Kirkland & Ellis.Ryan Harris, private investment and family office practice lead at Kirkland, will serve as managing partner of the new office.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 categoryThe $400bn AstraZeneca mega-merger: which firms could land the mandate?Law firmsEliza Winter5 Aug 2026‘Candy land for private equity’ – why elite law firms are looking to TokyoLaw firmsWill Lewallen3 Aug 2026US quartet lead on Grant Thornton’s landmark $5bn CBIZ acquisitionLaw firmsTheresa Hargreaves30 Jul 2026In-house moves: SSE GC steps down as Anthropic hires chief global affairs officerIn-HouseTheresa Hargreaves6 Aug 2026HSF Kramer Silicon Valley partners depart for Brown RudnickLaw firmsWill Lewallen5 Aug 2026Sidley hires 11-strong fund finance team from Hogan Lovells CadwaladerLaw firmsWill Lewallen4 Aug 2026Simpson Thacher opens in Chicago with five-partner hire from KirklandLaw firmsKate Peacock6 Aug 2026Macfarlanes advises founder as easyJet accepts £5.7bn Apollo takeover bidLaw firmsKate Peacock6 Aug 2026‘It’s about relentless implementation’ – Eversheds Sutherland’s Keith Froud on his first year at the helmLaw firmsKate Peacock6 Aug 2026