Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Managing Partner: Neil Barr

Number of partners worldwide: 179

Number of other lawyers worldwide: 952

Languages: Collectively, Davis Polk lawyers speak more than 50 languages.

Firm overview:

Davis Polk is one of the world’s preeminent law firms, advising industry-leading companies and financial institutions on their most challenging legal and business matters. Its top-flight abilities are grounded in a distinguished history of 175 years, and its global, forward-looking orientation is supported by offices strategically located in the world’s key financial centres and political capitals. The firm delivers first-class counsel and service across the entire range of its practice, which spans antitrust and competition, capital markets, civil litigation, data privacy and cybersecurity, derivatives and structured products, environmental, ESG risk, executive compensation, finance, financial institutions, investment management, IP litigation, IP and commercial transactions, liability management and special opportunities, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, public company advisory, real estate, restructuring, sponsor finance, tax, trusts and estates, and white collar defense and investigations.

The firm has a leading US law practice in each of its non-US offices and top-rated Hong Kong, English and European-qualified lawyers. In 2023, the firm launched its European antitrust practice based in Brussels. More than 1,000 lawyers collaborate seamlessly across practice groups and geographies to provide clients with exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions.

In London, the firm operates as Davis Polk & Wardwell London LLP; in Hong Kong, as Davis Polk & Wardwell, Hong Kong Solicitors; and in Brazil, as Davis Polk & Wardwell, Consultores em Direito Estrangeiro/ Norte-Americano e Inglês.

Main Areas of Practice:

Capital Markets:

Davis Polk’s capital markets group is one of the world’s most experienced in advising issuers and underwriters on a wide range of debt, equity and structured product transactions throughout Europe and around the world. The group operates across all major industries. The firm’s lawyers regularly work on transactions involving companies with or seeking a listing on Europe’s major stock exchanges, as well as advising European companies with or seeking a listing on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq. The team has advised on debt issuances throughout Europe for over 50 years and has completed debt transactions for issuers from over 20 European countries. The firm also has extensive experience assisting clients with the regulatory aspects of capital markets transactions, including EU financial services regulation, the UK sponsor regime and US securities regulation, including the JOBS Act.

Mergers & Acquisitions:

Davis Polk’s M&A lawyers are regularly involved in complex, cross-border transactions, giving them an in-depth understanding of how to help clients meet their business objectives. Davis Polk advises strategic and financial buyers and sellers, as well as their financial advisers and equity and debt providers, on M&A transactions and strategic investments and joint ventures of all sizes. These transactions range from smaller acquisitions and disposals of privately held companies to multibillion-dollar friendly or hostile cross-border mergers and takeovers. The London-based team has extensive UK Takeover Code and Listing Rules experience, having advised on numerous public takeovers, schemes of arrangement, mergers, Class 1 acquisitions and disposals, related party transactions and equity financings of acquisitions. The firm’s M&A lawyers work closely with its tax, finance, antitrust and regulatory lawyers on the structuring, financing and regulatory approval of transactions.

Finance:

Davis Polk regularly advises banks, other financial institutions, credit funds and borrowers on the full range of product lines, including corporate loans, leveraged and investment-grade acquisition financings, bridge loans, high-yield bonds, structured financings, derivatives, recapitalisations and debt restructurings. The firm seamlessly executes leveraged finance transactions involving any combination of debt products available in the market, including high-yield notes, TLB, second lien and mezzanine loans (in each case whether US or European), unitranche and holdco PIK facilities. The London-based team has particular experience advising on the financing and debt syndication of acquisitions subject to the UK Takeover Code and in advising financial advisers on cash confirmations given in connection with such acquisitions.

Tax:

Davis Polk’s tax lawyers work closely with transactional lawyers across the firm to help clients navigate complex tax issues with a business-oriented approach. The group advises corporates, financial institutions and funds across a broad range of corporate finance transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, spinoffs, corporate reorganisations and restructurings, debt and bond financing transactions and equity capital raisings, often with a focus on transactions with a US angle. In addition to advising on all aspects of UK corporate tax, the firm is also able to help UK and European clients optimize deal structures and comply with US tax disclosure requirements taking into account relevant US tax rules, such as the US tax-free reorganisation, anti-inversion, CFC, PFIC, interest deductibility, withholding and reporting rules.

Executive Compensation:

Davis Polk’s executive compensation practice focuses on compensation and benefits matters, including in connection with public and private mergers and acquisitions, reorganisations, IPOs and other securities offerings. The London-based team has deep experience in the design and implementation of incentivisation arrangements – from management incentive plans in private companies to long-term incentive plans for UK-listed companies. The firm regularly advises public and private companies, directors, boards and senior management teams on every aspect of corporate governance, from day-to-day inquiries to highly sensitive matters.

Financial Regulatory:

Davis Polk’s regulatory lawyers focus on the supervision and regulation of banks, investment firms, insurance companies and asset managers, including in connection with new authorisations, changes of control, corporate governance, remuneration in financial institutions, market conduct and regulatory investigations. The firm’s lawyers have broad and deep experience advising on matters relating to anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption, and fraud. The London-based team works closely with the firm’s office in Washington DC in relation to the Anti-Bribery Act, the Defense Security Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Antitrust & Competition:

The firm’s seasoned and well-connected antitrust lawyers in Brussels and London provide world-class holistic service across the full spectrum of complex, cross-border antitrust matters, including multinational deals and investigations. The team has leading-edge experience in dealing with every facet of challenging merger reviews and investigations by the European Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority. They also manage regulatory engagements in all other jurisdictions worldwide and advise on foreign direct investment (FDI) and national security screening regimes. Clients also look to the team for a range of day-to-day and cutting-edge antitrust issues, including related to novel regulatory regimes such as the EU Digital Markets Act and Foreign Subsidies Regulation.