Tax Counsel Samuel Duncan Joins Ropes & Gray in New York

Ropes & Gray further strengthened its market-leading tax practice with the arrival today of attorney Samuel M. Duncan as counsel in the firm’s 500-lawyer New York office. Sam joins a preeminent team of tax lawyers delivering a wide range of services to domestic and international clients. Noted by Chambers USA as having “a deep talented bench,” Ropes & Gray’s tax practice is an integral part of the firm’s work on behalf of clients in private equity, health care, financial technology, investment funds and other industries.

Sam’s capabilities add to the versatility of Ropes & Gray’s tax practice, particularly within the transactional and funds spaces. He has advised on multiple billion-dollar private equity and strategic transactions, and represented clients in complex domestic and cross-border M&A deals, corporate planning, financing arrangements, joint ventures, restructurings and securities offerings. Sam’s experience and talent extends to guiding private investment firms in fund formation and fundraising transactions as well as the structure and operation of direct and secondary fund investments.

“Sam is an exceptionally skilled lawyer. His experience advising on various high value deals and fund formations is an exceptional combination,” said Elaine B. Murphy, Ropes & Gray tax practice group leader. “His sophisticated understanding of complex commercial tax issues facing our U.S. and international clients make Sam a superb addition to the firm as Ropes & Gray continues to grow in New York, nationwide and globally.”

Sam also brings transatlantic experience to Ropes & Gray’s New York office having spent time in London advising prestigious European fund advisors, adding an understanding of international tax matters to his impressive body of work.

“It’s well known that Ropes & Gray has a tremendous tax group that works alongside the top private equity transactions and private funds advisors,” Sam said. “I’m excited to be on board, joining this distinguished firm as a trusted tax advisor.”

Ropes & Gray is one of the 20 largest law firms in New York City. In addition to Sam, the firm’s New York office recently added private equity and M&A partner Kate Withers, private credit and capital solutions partner Sam Badawi and asset management partner Bryan Hunkele as well as private equity partners Scott Abramowitz and Carolyn Vardi, private credit and capital solutions partner Leonard Klingbaum, finance partner Andrea Hwang, and business restructuring partners Ryan Dahl and Cristine Pirro Schwarzman.