Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has announced the addition of Jeff Nardinelli as a partner in its Intellectual Property Litigation Practice, based in the firm’s newly established San Francisco office. Nardinelli, formerly with Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, brings extensive experience in intellectual property litigation, particularly in emerging technologies such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, finance, and life sciences. His notable representations include companies like Google, Waymo, Samsung, Buf, Natera, and Swan Bitcoin in patent, trade secret, and other technology-focused litigation. ([stblaw.com](https://www.stblaw.com/about-us/news/view/2026/01/22/simpson-thacher-welcomes-ip-litigation-partner-to-new-san-francisco-office?utm_source=openai))
The San Francisco office, which opened on January 5, 2026, marks a significant expansion of Simpson Thacher’s Bay Area presence. This new location complements the firm’s Palo Alto office, established in 1999, and aims to enhance service to clients in one of the world’s most innovative business centers. ([stblaw.com](https://www.stblaw.com/about-us/news/view/2026/01/05/simpson-thacher-expands-bay-area-presence-with-new-san-francisco-office?utm_source=openai))
Atif Azher, recently named “Corporate Attorney of the Year” by The American Lawyer, has been appointed Managing Partner of the firm’s Bay Area presence. Azher advises on significant M&A and private equity transactions across several industries, including technology, healthcare, and consumer products. ([stblaw.com](https://www.stblaw.com/about-us/news/view/2026/01/05/simpson-thacher-expands-bay-area-presence-with-new-san-francisco-office?utm_source=openai))
In May 2025, Simpson Thacher signed a lease for 32,000 square feet at One Market Plaza in San Francisco’s South Financial District, a space previously occupied by Google. This move underscores the firm’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the Bay Area. ([therealdeal.com](https://therealdeal.com/san-francisco/2025/05/05/simpson-thacher-to-take-up-32000-square-feet-in-sf/?utm_source=openai))
Simpson Thacher’s Intellectual Property Litigation Practice combines sophisticated litigation skills with a deep understanding of various types of intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, trade secrets, proprietary data, software, and trademarks. The team designs creative strategies to achieve superior results across a wide range of intellectual property disputes, ensuring clients can develop, protect, and realize the value of their IP assets. ([stblaw.com](https://www.stblaw.com/about-us/news/view/2026/01/22/simpson-thacher-welcomes-ip-litigation-partner-to-new-san-francisco-office?utm_source=openai))
With the addition of Nardinelli and the opening of the San Francisco office, Simpson Thacher continues to strengthen its capabilities in the Bay Area, positioning itself to better serve clients in a region known for its concentration of innovation and capital.