Simpson Thacher has hired a registered funds partner from Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom as its prepares to open an office in Boston. 

Kenneth Burdon has joined after 17 years at Skadden ahead of the launch, which is set to take place later this year. The office will be Simpson Thacher's twelfth globally and sees the firm become the third in the Am Law 100 to announce its Boston debut in the past eight days after Paul Hastings and Blank Rome, which announced today that it has hired a 25-strong corporate and finance team from Burns & Levinson.

“Opening an office in Boston will enhance our ability to serve our current clients and enable us to deepen relationships with businesses across a variety of industries that have a strong presence in this key US economic hub,” said Alden Millard, chair of Simpson Thacher’s executive committee. 

“In addition, Ken’s expertise across the retail investment management landscape will strengthen our registered funds practice, which will be a cornerstone for our new Boston office. We have a long history advising many Boston-based companies, and we are excited to deepen our ties to its business community and talent base.”

The new office will advise clients on the full spectrum of their transactional, disputes, regulatory and enforcement needs, Simpson Thacher said. The firm will provide counsel to clients across several industries, including asset management and other financial institutions, healthcare, biotechnology, life sciences and technology.

Burdon will be joined in Boston by Simpson Thacher registered funds partner Nathan Somogie, who is currently based in New York. For his part Burdon advises clients on product development and distribution and related regulatory, compliance and governance issues, as well as M&A, divestitures and split-offs. He has worked with clients including BlackRock, the Cushing Funds, the EIM Group, Société Générale and Credit Suisse. 

Boston has seen an influx of firms in recent years as it cemented its position as a tech and life sciences hub and its financial services market exploded. Other US firms launching in the city over the past few years include Arnold & Porter, Barnes & Thornburg, Fox Rothschild, Husch Blackwell and Withers. UK firms Clyde & Co and Allen & Overy have also set up shop there.