Sullivan & Cromwell Adds Tax Partner in New York
The hire provides firms with enhanced advisory support for private equity investments and complex deal structures.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in People
Sullivan & Cromwell has added Vivek Ratnam as a partner to its tax group in New York. The appointment bolsters the firm’s advisory capacity for clients navigating complex private equity and M&A tax structures.
Why it matters
The addition of senior tax counsel reflects how major firms are scaling specialized expertise to support the increasingly intricate tax planning requirements of private equity and joint venture deal-making.
Sullivan & Cromwell added one partner to its tax practice in New York, a move that increases its leadership depth in the group. The total number of tax partners currently at the firm was not disclosed.
The players
Vivek Ratnam
An experienced tax professional recently appointed as a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell.
Sullivan & Cromwell
A global law firm providing legal services to corporations and financial institutions on mergers, acquisitions, and complex tax matters.
The details
Ratnam joins the firm to provide specialized tax advice on private equity investments, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions. His role involves navigating the structural tax implications of these transactions, a core requirement for operators involved in deal-making and corporate expansion.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: Vivek Ratnam joined Sullivan & Cromwell.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the industry-wide trend toward increased tax complexity in private equity deal structures. It aligns with the competitive strategy of major firms to deepen their bench of specialized legal counsel in response to client demand for tax-efficient M&A.
Operators currently engaged in private equity investments or complex joint ventures should note the increased availability of specialized tax counsel for M&A deal structures. Owners should evaluate whether their current legal partners possess similar technical depth to address the tax implications of their upcoming growth transactions.
The takeaway
Tax efficiency remains a high-stakes lever for operators in merger and acquisition activity. When evaluating potential deal structures, prioritize confirming that your legal counsel has a demonstrated track record in the specific tax regulatory frameworks applicable to your asset class.
Further reading
For broader insights on industry talent movements, see the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bloomberglaw.
