In a noteworthy shift within the legal industry’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) sector, Adam Cromie, a partner from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, is set to join Sidley Austin, aligning once more with his long-time mentor, Dave Grubman. Cromie’s decision to transition after a brief tenure at Simpson Thacher underscores his intent to collaborate closely with Grubman, who has recently undertaken the role of co-leading Sidley Austin’s global M&A practice.
Cromie’s professional journey has seen him share a substantial period at Jones Day with Grubman, devoting seven years before his move to Simpson Thacher in October. While Cromie acknowledges a positive experience at Simpson Thacher, the appeal of contributing to Sidley Austin’s expansive platform with Grubman proved compelling. In an interview, Cromie detailed, “The opportunity to grow something on an exciting platform like Sidley’s is too exciting to pass up.”
This transition is part of a broader movement in the legal domain as firms source leading M&A and private equity professionals to capitalize on 2024’s financial growth. Sabina Lippman, a recruiter instrumental in the transition of Cromie and Grubman, highlighted an increased demand for high-performing legal experts that comes on the heels of annual profit distributions and bonuses, a typical catalyst for lateral shifts in Big Law circles.
Grubman’s career trajectory saw him at the helm of Jones Day’s M&A operations across the Americas before his recent role at Sidley Austin. Starting this new chapter alongside Cromie, the duo continues to provide comprehensive advisory services in large-scale transactions, including significant deals such as the merger of Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. with Xylem valued at $7.5 billion and Transtar’s sale to Fortress Transportation.
Sidley Austin’s performance in the M&A arena is noteworthy, with a ranking of 20th last year based on global transactions worth nearly $94 billion. In comparison, Simpson Thacher held the sixth position with $245 billion in transactions, indicating a dynamic and competitive environment among top law firms.
Within Sidley, Grubman’s responsibilities extend beyond client relations and involve broader recruitment strategies. Collaborating with Paul Choi and others in leadership roles at the firm, Grubman is tasked with scaling client engagement and expanding Sidley’s foothold across strategic practice areas, including shareholder activism, antitrust, and foreign direct investment. These areas are increasingly pivotal in modern corporate governance and M&A activities.
Both Cromie and Grubman are optimistic about the prospects at Sidley, underlined by a robust platform capable of handling the intricate demands of public company advisories. Cromie’s diverse background, including his developmental roles within Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals and legal training at Georgetown University, positions him uniquely for this high-profile role.