Despite looming uncertainty in the flow of dealwork this past year, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett's Elizabeth Cooper has been busy, emphasizing the importance of relationships in the M&A business, both with clients and colleagues.

Cooper—a partner, co-head of the private equity mergers and acquisitions practice, and a member of leadership at the firm—has handled a number of high-profile deals on her way to being a top dealmaker. Cooper was named The American Lawyer’s Corporate Attorney of the Year in the Private Equity and M&A category, chosen from a list of eight finalists and announced at the Industry Awards in November.