Davis Polk & Wardwell

Davis Polk & Wardwell
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Name	Davis Polk & Wardwell
Founded	0 1849
Founder	Francis N. Bangs, William M. Evarts
Headquarters	New York City, New York, U.S.
Num offices	10
Num attorneys	Approximately 1,000
Practice areas	Full-service corporate law
Date founded	1849
Company type	Limited liability partnership
Homepage	www.davispolk.com

Davis Polk & Wardwell is a prominent international law firm headquartered in New York City. Tracing its origins to 1849, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious firms in the United States, known for its representation of major corporations, financial institutions, and governments in complex transactions and litigation. The firm maintains a significant global presence with offices across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

History

The firm's origins date to 1849 with the partnership of Francis N. Bangs and William M. Evarts, the latter who later served as United States Secretary of State and United States Attorney General. It evolved through several name changes, becoming Davis Polk & Wardwell in 1909 after partners John W. Davis, who was the 1924 Democratic nominee for President, and Frank Polk, a former State Department official. A pivotal early client was J.P. Morgan & Co., cementing the firm's long-standing reputation in banking and finance. Throughout the 20th century, it played key roles in major financial developments, including advising on the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission and representing the U.S. Treasury Department during the Great Depression. Its modern expansion included opening offices in London in 1973 and later in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and other global financial centers.

Practice areas

The firm is organized around several core practice groups, most notably its preeminent Capital Markets practice, where it consistently ranks among the top advisors on IPOs, debt offerings, and other securities transactions for major issuers and underwriters. Its Mergers and Acquisitions group advises on some of the world's largest and most complex corporate transactions, often involving Fortune 500 companies and private equity firms. Other significant areas include a highly regarded Litigation department handling high-stakes commercial disputes, white-collar crime defense, and Supreme Court appeals, as well as a leading Financial Institutions group that counsels major banks on regulatory and enforcement matters. The firm also maintains robust practices in Restructuring, Tax law, and Investment Management.

Notable lawyers and alumni

Throughout its history, the firm has been home to numerous distinguished attorneys who have also held high government office. Notable partners have included John W. Davis, the 1924 presidential candidate and renowned Supreme Court advocate; Frank Polk, a key figure at the Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920); and more recently, former United States Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin. The firm's alumni have moved into prominent roles across the public and private sectors, such as former Federal Reserve General Counsel Scott G. Alvarez, former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton, and former Solicitor General of the United States Neal Katyal. Many alumni also hold top legal positions at major corporations and financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.

Offices

The firm's headquarters are located at 450 Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Its international network includes offices in major financial capitals: in the Americas, it has locations in Washington, D.C., and São Paulo; in Europe, it maintains offices in London, Paris, and Frankfurt; and in Asia, it operates in Hong Kong, Beijing, Tokyo, and Mumbai. These offices allow the firm to serve a global clientele on cross-border matters, with the London and Hong Kong offices being particularly significant hubs for its Capital Markets and Mergers and Acquisitions practices.

Recognition and rankings

The firm is consistently ranked in the top tiers of major legal industry publications. It perennially places within the top five of the Am Law 100 by revenue and is a fixture in the top rankings of Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 across numerous practice areas, especially for Capital Markets, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Litigation. It is frequently recognized for its role in "Deal of the Year" awards by publications like The American Lawyer and International Financial Law Review. The firm is also noted for its pro bono work, receiving accolades from organizations like the Pro Bono Institute for its contributions to civil rights, immigration, and veterans' causes.

Category:Law firms established in 1849 Category:Law firms based in New York City Category:1849 establishments in New York (state)