Simpson Thacher opens Chicago with five Kirkland partners

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is opening an office in Chicago and hired five corporate partners from Kirkland & Ellis in the city, including the two co-leaders of Kirkland's private investment and family office practice. The same week, Texas Lawyer reports a Simpson Thacher finance partner in Houston, who handles energy and infrastructure project financings, is expected to move to Kirkland. Holland & Knight opened its second Alabama office, in Huntsville, aimed at the defense and aerospace market there.

On the business side, a federal appeals court ruled Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman must hand over a $3.6 million retainer from a client accused of securities fraud because the funds fell under an SEC asset freeze, and litigation funder Burford Capital is cutting management roles to save about $10 million after its YPF court loss.