Key Takeaways
- • Simpson Thacher recruited Murray Cox, a corporate partner from Weil's London office, marking the latest in a series of high-profile lateral hires targeting Weil's private equity practice.
- • Cox brings significant private equity credentials, having advised major institutional investors including Global Infrastructure Partners and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation during his tenure at Weil (2021–2026) and previously at Slaughter and May.
- • Simpson Thacher has executed 46 lateral partner hires over the past 12 months against 17 departures, expanding partnership headcount by more than 10% and solidifying its position as the dominant legal advisor to the private equity sector.
- • Weil has experienced material partner attrition, losing 24 partners in the same 12-month period, though it has offset losses through 30 new hires from competitors including Kirkland & Ellis, A&O Shearman, and Sidley Austin.
- • The Cox move follows the 2026 departure of Christopher Machera, Weil's co-head of private equity and management committee member, and ongoing discussions regarding New York-based private equity partner Brian Parness joining Simpson Thacher.
Summary
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has recruited Murray Cox, a London-based corporate partner from Weil, Gotshal & Manges, in what represents the latest installment of strategic poaching by Simpson Thacher from one of the market's most active laterals targets. Cox, who has spent nearly five and a half years at Weil since joining in 2021, brings a decade of prior experience at Slaughter and May, where he spent five years as a partner.
Cox's track record centers on substantial private equity transactions. During his Weil tenure, he has advised marquee institutional capital providers including Global Infrastructure Partners and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation on major investment and divestiture activity. His departure underscores Simpson Thacher's deliberate strategy to consolidate private equity legal talent and deepen relationships with the institutional investor base.
The Cox hire follows a cascade of Weil departures to Simpson Thacher earlier in 2026. Christopher Machera, who held the title of co-head of Weil's private equity group and sat on the firm's management committee, departed for Simpson after 21 years at Weil. Additionally, New York private equity partner Brian Parness is reported to be in active discussions to join Simpson Thacher, signaling further erosion of Weil's private equity leadership bench.
The competitive dynamics are quantified through recent partnership data. Simpson Thacher has executed 46 lateral hires over the past 12 months, compared to only 17 departures, delivering a net partnership expansion of more than 10%. By contrast, Weil has lost 24 partners in the same period, though the firm has maintained a 7.6% net increase in partnership headcount through 30 new hires from rival firms, including Kirkland & Ellis partner Charles Cooper-Isow, A&O Shearman partner Fiona Cumming, and Sidley Austin partner James Crooks.
Simpson Thacher's sustained focus on private equity lateral hiring aligns with the firm's market position as the leading legal advisor to the private equity sector globally, generating $2.9 billion in revenue with a 24% year-over-year growth rate. The Cox recruitment represents a continuation of this disciplined talent acquisition strategy targeting the most credentialed practitioners within Weil's institutional and alternative investment practice.
Cox's track record centers on substantial private equity transactions. During his Weil tenure, he has advised marquee institutional capital providers including Global Infrastructure Partners and British Columbia Investment Management Corporation on major investment and divestiture activity. His departure underscores Simpson Thacher's deliberate strategy to consolidate private equity legal talent and deepen relationships with the institutional investor base.
The Cox hire follows a cascade of Weil departures to Simpson Thacher earlier in 2026. Christopher Machera, who held the title of co-head of Weil's private equity group and sat on the firm's management committee, departed for Simpson after 21 years at Weil. Additionally, New York private equity partner Brian Parness is reported to be in active discussions to join Simpson Thacher, signaling further erosion of Weil's private equity leadership bench.
The competitive dynamics are quantified through recent partnership data. Simpson Thacher has executed 46 lateral hires over the past 12 months, compared to only 17 departures, delivering a net partnership expansion of more than 10%. By contrast, Weil has lost 24 partners in the same period, though the firm has maintained a 7.6% net increase in partnership headcount through 30 new hires from rival firms, including Kirkland & Ellis partner Charles Cooper-Isow, A&O Shearman partner Fiona Cumming, and Sidley Austin partner James Crooks.
Simpson Thacher's sustained focus on private equity lateral hiring aligns with the firm's market position as the leading legal advisor to the private equity sector globally, generating $2.9 billion in revenue with a 24% year-over-year growth rate. The Cox recruitment represents a continuation of this disciplined talent acquisition strategy targeting the most credentialed practitioners within Weil's institutional and alternative investment practice.
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