Matthew Simpson Bio

Matt, originally from Toronto, Canada, is a member of the firm’s global Executive Committee and Co-Chair of the Private Equity Practice, and is a trusted advisor to companies, investors, executives, and boards on transformative transactions, complex strategy and high-risk decision making. Leveraging his legal skills and background as an international peace negotiator, Matt leads teams that structure, negotiate, and execute various transactional arrangements, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations, joint ventures, growth equity, venture capital, and other minority investments. He has been recognized by clients and marketplace feedback for his focus on middle-market private equity mergers and acquisitions involving founder-run businesses and cross-border Canada/US transactions. Matt’s clients span a broad range of organizations, including well-known large-cap and middle-market private equity sponsors (committed funds, pension plans, independent sponsors, and family offices), large multi-national corporations, private equity portfolio companies, and both early-stage and late-stage growth companies, across a variety of industries including technology, life sciences, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, consumer products, entertainment, energy, and manufacturing. Matt leads multiple private equity sponsor relationships, advising both the fund and their portfolio companies on various mandates including large cap and middle market sponsors alike. Matt is a sought-after commentator on the private equity industry, routinely speaking to trends and developments affecting sponsors, limited partners, and others participating in domestic and cross-border direct and indirect private equity investments. He has been quoted by Bloomberg, Private Equity International, The Globe and Mail, Mergers & Acquisitions, Pitchbook, Middle Market Growth, Buyouts and other national and international publications. Since 2006, Matt has been affiliated with the Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG) in Washington, DC where he has worked on over a dozen post-conflict legal and policy initiatives, including as the United Nations and African Union appointed Principal Legal Advisor to the Darfur Delegation in the 2011 Darfur Peace Negotiations, leading the first-ever surrenders to the International Criminal Court, amending the Iraqi Constitution, designing war crimes witness protection programs in Uganda, and advising on the establishment of the Republic of South Sudan. Matt currently serves in a pro bono capacity as a Senior Peace Fellow for PILPG advising on efforts towards an inclusive peace process in Yemen, the implementation of the 2020 Sudan Peace Agreement, efforts towards a ceasefire in Ukraine, and the establishment of a Kenyan Mediation Support Unit. During law school, Matt was an executive editor of the American University International Law Review and was the Co-Founder and President of the International Trade and Investment Law Society at American University Washington College of Law. Prior to joining Mintz, Matt worked for Torys LLP and Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP.