Davis Polk & Wardwell
Encyclopedia
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is an international law firm
. The firm employs more than 800 attorneys
worldwide and is headquartered in New York City
. The firm represents many of the world's largest companies and leading financial institutions, and is best known for its corporate and litigation practices, considered among the best in the world. Davis Polk has been dubbed the "Tiffany
of law firms" because of its genteel and aristocratic white shoe
culture.
. The firm changed its name several times to account for new partners, using names such as Bangs, Stetson, Tracy, and McVeigh and Stetson, Jennings & Russell. Among other high-profile lawyers, Grover Cleveland
served as a member of the firm during the interval between his two non-consecutive presidential terms. Davis Polk was located at 15 Broad Street
from around 1889 until 1959.
The firm takes its current name from three 20th century partners: John W. Davis
, Frank Polk
, and Allen Wardwell
. Davis, a former U.S. Solicitor General
and the 1924 Democratic presidential nominee
, made 139 oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court, most infamously in Brown v. Board of Education
, in which he represented South Carolina
in defense of racial segregation
. With Polk and Wardwell, Davis developed close ties between the firm and the J.P. Morgan companies, as well as the Guaranty Trust Company, the Associated Press, and International Paper
. (These ties were long standing, going back to Stetson himself.)
The firm has represented numerous clients in the ongoing financial crisis, with roles in the AIG
, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers
, and Citigroup
matters. It has also served as lead counsel to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
in the U.S. Treasury’s $250 billion bank capital purchase program and the creation of the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility
. To bolster its financial regulatory practice, the firm recently hired three former Securities and Exchange Commission officials—Commissioner Annette Nazareth
, Director of Enforcement Linda Chatman Thomsen
, and Deputy Director of Trading and Markets Robert Colby—as well as former White House Staff Secretary Raul Yanes
and former FDIC
General Counsel John Douglas.
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
. The firm employs more than 800 attorneys
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
worldwide and is headquartered in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The firm represents many of the world's largest companies and leading financial institutions, and is best known for its corporate and litigation practices, considered among the best in the world. Davis Polk has been dubbed the "Tiffany
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. is an American jewelry and silverware company. As part of its branding, the company is strongly associated with its Tiffany Blue , which is a registered trademark.- History :...
of law firms" because of its genteel and aristocratic white shoe
White shoe firm
White shoe firm is a phrase used to describe the leading professional services firms in the United States, particularly firms that have been in existence for more than a century and represent Fortune 500 companies...
culture.
History
The firm traces its origins to Gunthrie, Bangs & Van Sinderen, founded in 1849 by Francis S. Bangs, an opponent of Tammany HallTammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
. The firm changed its name several times to account for new partners, using names such as Bangs, Stetson, Tracy, and McVeigh and Stetson, Jennings & Russell. Among other high-profile lawyers, Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
served as a member of the firm during the interval between his two non-consecutive presidential terms. Davis Polk was located at 15 Broad Street
15 Broad Street
15 Broad Street is a former office building now containing luxury apartments, and located on the northeast corner of Exchange Place with entrances at 51 Exchange Place and 37 Wall Street in New York City...
from around 1889 until 1959.
The firm takes its current name from three 20th century partners: John W. Davis
John W. Davis
John William Davis was an American politician, diplomat and lawyer. He served as a United States Representative from West Virginia , then as Solicitor General of the United States and US Ambassador to the UK under President Woodrow Wilson...
, Frank Polk
Frank Polk
Frank Lyon Polk was a prominent United States lawyer and a name partner of the law firm today known as Davis Polk & Wardwell.-Biography:...
, and Allen Wardwell
Allen Wardwell
Allen Wardwell , was a banking law expert, vice president of the American-Russian Chamber of Commerce in 1929, and a name partner of the law firm today known as Davis Polk & Wardwell....
. Davis, a former U.S. Solicitor General
United States Solicitor General
The United States Solicitor General is the person appointed to represent the federal government of the United States before the Supreme Court of the United States. The current Solicitor General, Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 6, 2011 and sworn in on June...
and the 1924 Democratic presidential nominee
United States presidential election, 1924
The United States presidential election of 1924 was won by incumbent President Calvin Coolidge, the Republican candidate.Coolidge was vice-president under Warren G. Harding and became president in 1923 when Harding died in office. Coolidge was given credit for a booming economy at home and no...
, made 139 oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court, most infamously in Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 , was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 which...
, in which he represented South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
in defense of racial segregation
Racial segregation in the United States
Racial segregation in the United States, as a general term, included the racial segregation or hypersegregation of facilities, services, and opportunities such as housing, medical care, education, employment, and transportation along racial lines...
. With Polk and Wardwell, Davis developed close ties between the firm and the J.P. Morgan companies, as well as the Guaranty Trust Company, the Associated Press, and International Paper
International Paper
International Paper Company is an American pulp and paper company, the largest such company in the world. It has approximately 59,500 employees, and it is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.-History:...
. (These ties were long standing, going back to Stetson himself.)
The firm has represented numerous clients in the ongoing financial crisis, with roles in the AIG
AIG
AIG is American International Group, a major American insurance corporation.AIG may also refer to:* And-inverter graph, a concept in computer theory* Answers in Genesis, a creationist organization in the U.S.* Arta Industrial Group in Iran...
, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was a global financial services firm. Before declaring bankruptcy in 2008, Lehman was the fourth largest investment bank in the USA , doing business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales and trading Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (former NYSE ticker...
, and Citigroup
Citigroup
Citigroup Inc. or Citi is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Citigroup was formed from one of the world's largest mergers in history by combining the banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate...
matters. It has also served as lead counsel to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is one of the 12 Federal Reserve Banks of the United States. It is located at 33 Liberty Street, New York, NY. It is responsible for the Second District of the Federal Reserve System, which encompasses New York state, the 12 northern counties of New Jersey,...
in the U.S. Treasury’s $250 billion bank capital purchase program and the creation of the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility
Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility
The Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility is a program created by the U.S. Federal Reserve to spur consumer credit lending. The program was announced on November 25, 2008 and was to support the issuance of asset-backed securities collateralized by student loans, auto loans, credit card...
. To bolster its financial regulatory practice, the firm recently hired three former Securities and Exchange Commission officials—Commissioner Annette Nazareth
Annette Nazareth
Annette LaPorte Nazareth is an American attorney who served as a Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from August 4, 2005 to January 31, 2008. She is currently a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell working on complex regulatory matters and transactions in the firm's Washington,...
, Director of Enforcement Linda Chatman Thomsen
Linda Chatman Thomsen
Linda Chatman Thomsen was the Director of the Division of Enforcement for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2005 until early 2009. Since arriving at the SEC in 1995, she has worked under four SEC Chairmen: Arthur Levitt, Harvey Pitt, William H. Donaldson, and Christopher Cox. ...
, and Deputy Director of Trading and Markets Robert Colby—as well as former White House Staff Secretary Raul Yanes
White House Office of the Staff Secretary
The Staff Secretary is a position in the White House Office, responsible for managing communications to the president and circulating documents among senior staff for comment. Sometimes described as "the nerve center of the White House," the position was created under President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
and former FDIC
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is a United States government corporation created by the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933. It provides deposit insurance, which guarantees the safety of deposits in member banks, currently up to $250,000 per depositor per bank. , the FDIC insures deposits at...
General Counsel John Douglas.
Judiciary
- Ronnie AbramsRonnie AbramsRonnie Abrams is an attorney for Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York and a current federal judicial nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.-Early life and education:...
- Nominee, U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District of New York - Thomas J. Aquilino, Jr. - Senior Judge, U.S Court of International Trade
- Richard M. BermanRichard M. BermanRichard M. Berman is a senior Federal District Judge in the Southern District of New York. He received his BS from Cornell University in 1964 and his JD from NYU School of Law in 1967. He also received an MSW from Fordham University in 1996...
- U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District of New York - Miriam Goldman CedarbaumMiriam Goldman CedarbaumJudge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum is a senior judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York...
- Senior U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District of New York - Denny ChinDenny ChinDenny Chin is a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He was a judge on the United States district court for the Southern District of New York before joining the federal appeals bench. President Clinton nominated Chin to the district court on March 24, 1994, and...
- U.S. Circuit Court Judge, Second Circuit Court of Appeals - Warren Eginton - Senior U.S. District Court Judge, District of Connecticut
- Thomas P. GriesaThomas P. GriesaThomas Poole Griesa is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.Judge Griesa received an A.B. from Harvard University in 1952 and an LL.B. from Stanford Law School in 1958....
- Senior U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District of New York - J. Michael LuttigJ. Michael LuttigJ. Michael Luttig is an American lawyer and a former federal appellate court judge.-Education and early work:Born in Tyler, Texas, Luttig graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1976. He then attended the University of Virginia School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in...
- Former U.S. Circuit Court Judge, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals - Cheryl L. Pollak - U.S. Magistrate Court Judge, Eastern District of New York
- Amy J. St. EveAmy J. St. EveAmy J. St. Eve is a District Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She joined the court in 2002 after being nominated by President George W. Bush....
- U.S. District Court Judge, Northern District of Illinois - Louis L. StantonLouis L. StantonLouis Lee Stanton is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.Stanton received a B.A. from Yale University in 1950, a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1955, and an LL.B from University of Virginia School of Law in 1955...
- Senior U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District of New York - John M. Walker, Jr.John M. Walker, Jr.John Mercer Walker, Jr. is a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and a cousin of U.S. Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush...
- U.S. Circuit Court Judge, Second Circuit Court of Appeals
Elected Office
- Grover ClevelandGrover ClevelandStephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
- Former U.S. President - John DanforthJohn DanforthJohn Claggett "Jack" Danforth is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Republican United States Senator from Missouri. He is an ordained Episcopal priest. Danforth is married to Sally D. Danforth and has five adult children.-Education and early career:Danforth was born...
- U.S. Senator (R-MO) and Ambassador to the United Nations - Kirsten GillibrandKirsten GillibrandKirsten Elizabeth Rutnik Gillibrand is an attorney and the junior United States Senator from the state of New York and a member of the Democratic Party...
- U.S. Senator (D-NY) - Ben McAdamsBen McAdamsBen McAdams is an American politician and attorney from Utah. A Democrat, he is a member of the Utah State Senate, representing the state's 2nd senate district in Salt Lake County including Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake City and a portion of West Valley....
- State Senator, Utah State Legislature - Reshma SaujaniReshma SaujaniReshma Saujani is an Indian-American lawyer and politician who lost the 2010 Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York's 14th congressional district against incumbent Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. She was the first Indian-American woman to run for Congress...
- Candidate, U.S. House of Representatives, New York's 14th congressional districtNew York's 14th congressional districtNew York's 14th Congressional District is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives located in New York City. It includes most of the East Side of Manhattan, all of Roosevelt Island and the neighborhoods of Astoria, Long Island City, and Sunnyside in Queens... - Terri SewellTerri SewellTerrycina Andrea "Terri" Sewell is the U.S. Representative for . She is a member of the Democratic Party and the first black woman elected to Congress from Alabama...
- U.S. Representative, Alabama's 7th congressional districtAlabama's 7th congressional districtAlabama's 7th congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. The district encompasses the counties of Greene, Choctaw, Sumter, Marengo, Dallas, Wilcox, Perry and Hale... - Chen Show MaoChen Show MaoChen Show Mao, J.D. is a Singaporean politician and lawyer. He is a member of the opposition Workers' Party, and has been a Member of Parliament for the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency since 7 May 2011. He represents the Paya Lebar ward, replacing PAP's Cynthia Phua.-Personal...
- Member of Singaporean Parliament, Aljunied Group Representation ConstituencyAljunied Group Representation ConstituencyAljunied Group Representation Constituency is a five-member group representation constituency in the north-eastern region of Singapore. The GRC consists of a large part of Hougang, Serangoon Gardens, a portion of Bedok and Aljunied...
, Workers' Party of SingaporeWorkers' Party of SingaporeThe Workers' Party of Singapore is a centre-left opposition political party in Singapore. The party currently has six elected seats in Parliament, with the party's Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang, Chairman Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao, Muhamad Faisal Manap and Pritam Singh serving as Members of...
Law Enforcement & Financial Regulation
- Greg Andres - Acting Assistant Attorney General, Criminal DivisionUnited States Department of Justice Criminal DivisionThe U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division develops, enforces, and supervises the application of all federal criminal laws in the United States, except those specifically assigned to other divisions. Criminal Division attorneys prosecute many nationally significant cases and formulate and...
, Department of JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated... - Paul S. AtkinsPaul S. AtkinsPaul S. Atkins is Managing Director of Patomak Partners LLC, which provides consulting services regarding financial services industry matters, including regulatory compliance, risk and crisis management, trade analysis, and strategy. He is also Senior Partner of Sphere Consulting LLC, a public...
- Former Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission - John Douglas - Former General Counsel, Federal Deposit Insurance CorporationFederal Deposit Insurance CorporationThe Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation is a United States government corporation created by the Glass–Steagall Act of 1933. It provides deposit insurance, which guarantees the safety of deposits in member banks, currently up to $250,000 per depositor per bank. , the FDIC insures deposits at...
- Susan Ervin - Former Deputy Director, Commodity Futures Trading CommissionCommodity Futures Trading CommissionThe U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission is an independent agency of the United States government that regulates futures and option markets....
- Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.Roger W. Ferguson, Jr.Roger W. Ferguson, Jr. is an American economist, who was Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from 1999 to 2006 and is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association - College Retirement Equities Fund...
- Former Vice-Chairman, Federal ReserveFederal Reserve SystemThe Federal Reserve System is the central banking system of the United States. It was created on December 23, 1913 with the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, largely in response to a series of financial panics, particularly a severe panic in 1907...
; President & CEO, TIAA-CREFTIAA-CREFTeachers Insurance and Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund is a Fortune 100 financial services organization that is the leading retirement provider for people who work in the academic, research, medical and cultural fields... - Robert B. FiskeRobert B. FiskeRobert Bishop Fiske, Jr. is a prominent trial attorney and a partner with the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City...
- Former U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New YorkU.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New YorkThe U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York is the chief federal law enforcement officer in eight New York counties: New York , Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, and Sullivan. Preet Bharara, who was appointed by Barack Obama in 2009 is the U.S. Attorney for the... - Samuel Hazard Gillespie JrSamuel Hazard Gillespie JrSamuel Hazard Gillespie Jr. was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Biography:Gillespie was born in Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey, and attended Yale College and Yale Law School ....
- Former U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York - William F. Kroener III - Former General Counsel, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- Denis McInerney - Chief, Fraud Section, Department of JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
- Susan Merrill - Director of Enforcement, Financial Industry Regulatory AuthorityFinancial Industry Regulatory AuthorityIn the United States, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, is a private corporation that acts as a self-regulatory organization . FINRA is the successor to the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ...
- Charles E.F. MillardCharles E.F. MillardCharles E.F. Millard is the former Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation . He was the first director of the PBGC to be confirmed by the United States Senate and ran the agency from May 2007 to January 2009. As Director, Mr. Millard was the chief executive officer of the PBGC...
- Former Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty CorporationPension Benefit Guaranty CorporationThe Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is an independent agency of the United States government that was created by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to encourage the continuation and maintenance of voluntary private defined benefit pension plans, provide timely and... - Ogden Livingston Mills - Former Secretary of the Treasury
- Annette NazarethAnnette NazarethAnnette LaPorte Nazareth is an American attorney who served as a Commissioner of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from August 4, 2005 to January 31, 2008. She is currently a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell working on complex regulatory matters and transactions in the firm's Washington,...
- Former Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission - Randal QuarlesRandal QuarlesRandal Keith Quarles is a managing director at The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. From August 2001 until October 2006, he held several important financial policy posts in the George W. Bush administration, ultimately serving as Under Secretary of the Treasury for...
- Former Undersecretary for Domestic Finance, U.S. Department of Treasury - Howard Shelanski - Former Deputy Director, Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade CommissionThe Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
- Michael Sohn - Former General Counsel, Federal Trade CommissionFederal Trade CommissionThe Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
- Linda Chatman ThomsenLinda Chatman ThomsenLinda Chatman Thomsen was the Director of the Division of Enforcement for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2005 until early 2009. Since arriving at the SEC in 1995, she has worked under four SEC Chairmen: Arthur Levitt, Harvey Pitt, William H. Donaldson, and Christopher Cox. ...
- Former Director, Division of Enforcement, Securities and Exchange Commission - Lawrence E. Walsh - Former Independent Counsel, Iran-Contra Investigation
Other Government Service
- John BridgelandJohn BridgelandJohn M. Bridgeland is President and CEO of Civic Enterprises, a public policy firm in Washington, D.C. and vice-Chair of Malaria No More, a non-profit launched at the White House Summit on Malaria that is creating a grassroots, global movement to engage the private and non-profit sectors in...
- Former Director, White House Domestic Policy CouncilUnited States Domestic Policy CouncilThe Domestic Policy Council of the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering domestic policy matters, excluding economic matters, which are the domain of the National Economic Council... - Benedict Simms Cohen - General Counsel, Department of the Army
- John W. DavisJohn W. DavisJohn William Davis was an American politician, diplomat and lawyer. He served as a United States Representative from West Virginia , then as Solicitor General of the United States and US Ambassador to the UK under President Woodrow Wilson...
- Former U.S. Solicitor GeneralUnited States Solicitor GeneralThe United States Solicitor General is the person appointed to represent the federal government of the United States before the Supreme Court of the United States. The current Solicitor General, Donald B. Verrilli, Jr. was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 6, 2011 and sworn in on June...
; Democratic Presidential Nominee, 1924 - Charles Duggan - Former Associate White House Counsel
- Kimberley Harris - Deputy White House Counsel
- Reuben Jeffery IIIReuben Jeffery IIIReuben Jeffery III is the former United States Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs, having been appointed to that position by United States President George W. Bush in June 2007....
- Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and Agricultural Affairs, U.S Department of State - Charles MacVeaghCharles MacVeaghCharles MacVeagh was an American lawyer and diplomat. He served as United States Ambassador to Japan from 1925 to 1928.-Early life:Charles MacVeagh was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania on June 6, 1860...
- Former U.S. Ambassador to JapanUnited States Ambassador to JapanThe United States Ambassador to Japan is the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary from the United States to Japan. Since the opening of Japan by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, in 1854, the U.S. maintained diplomatic relations with Japan, except for the ten-year period following the attack on... - Richard MoeRichard MoeRichard Moe is an American lawyer from Duluth, Minnesota. Following his graduation from Williams College and the University of Minnesota Law School, Moe went on to a distinguished career in government, law, and historic preservation...
- President, National Trust for Historic PreservationNational Trust for Historic PreservationThe National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation... - Scott Muller - Former General Counsel, Central Intelligence AgencyCentral Intelligence AgencyThe Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
- Jennifer Newstead - Former General Counsel, Office of Management and Budget
- W. Paatii Ofosu-Amaah, Former Vice President & Corporate Secretary, World Bank GroupWorld Bank GroupThe World Bank Group is a family of five international organizations that makes leveraged loans, generally to poor countries.The Bank came into formal existence on 27 December 1945 following international ratification of the Bretton Woods agreements, which emerged from the United Nations Monetary...
- Frank PolkFrank PolkFrank Lyon Polk was a prominent United States lawyer and a name partner of the law firm today known as Davis Polk & Wardwell.-Biography:...
- Former Acting U.S. Secretary of State - Peter TufoPeter TufoPeter Francis Tufo was the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary from 1997–2001 and helped found the law firm Tufo, Johnston & Zuccotti in 1970.- Biography :...
- Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary - Raul Yanes - Former White House Staff SecretaryWhite House Office of the Staff SecretaryThe Staff Secretary is a position in the White House Office, responsible for managing communications to the president and circulating documents among senior staff for comment. Sometimes described as "the nerve center of the White House," the position was created under President Dwight D. Eisenhower...
Business
- Peter Bevacqua - Chief Business Officer, U.S. Golf Association
- Elizabeth Blake - General Counsel, Habitat for Humanity
- Alexander Cushing - Founder and Chairman, Ski Corporation
- Eli Whitney DebevoiseEli Whitney DebevoiseEli Whitney Debevoise was a prominent New York lawyer who co-founded the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton and periodically served in a variety of high profile government positions.- Early life :...
- Founding Partner, Debevoise & PlimptonDebevoise & PlimptonDebevoise & Plimpton LLP is a prominent international law firm based in New York City. Founded in 1931 by Eli Whitney Debevoise and William Stevenson, Debevoise has been a long established leader in corporate litigation and large financial transactions. In recent years, its practice has taken on an...
LLP - Tom GlocerTom GlocerTom Glocer is the CEO of Thomson Reuters and former CEO of Reuters.-Biography:Glocer joined Reuters Group in 1993 as Vice President and Deputy Counsel, Reuters America...
- CEO, Thomson ReutersThomson ReutersThomson Reuters Corporation is a provider of information for the world's businesses and professionals and is created by the Thomson Corporation's purchase of Reuters Group on 17 April 2008. Thomson Reuters is headquartered at 3 Times Square, New York City, USA... - Steven GoldstoneSteven GoldstoneSteven F. Goldstone has managed Silver Spring Group, a private investment firm, since 2000. From 1995 until his retirement in 2000, Goldstone was chairman and chief executive officer of RJR Nabisco, Inc....
- Former President & CEO, RJR Nabisco - Robert HarrisonRobert HarrisonRobert Harrison is the name of:*Robert Dinsmore Harrison , U.S. Representative from Nebraska*Robert H. Harrison , American jurist*Robert Harrison , publisher of Confidential magazine...
- CEO, Clinton Global Initiative - Lewis B. KadenLewis B. KadenLewis B. Kaden is a Vice Chairman at Citigroup Inc.Prior to joining Citigroup, Mr. Kaden had spent most of his career in academia and working as a high-powered lawyer. He spent 21 years with the large international law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell and also taught labor relations and constitutional...
- Vice Chairman, CitigroupCitigroupCitigroup Inc. or Citi is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Citigroup was formed from one of the world's largest mergers in history by combining the banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate... - Ned Kelly - Vice Chairman, CitigroupCitigroupCitigroup Inc. or Citi is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Citigroup was formed from one of the world's largest mergers in history by combining the banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate...
- H. F. LenfestH. F. Lenfest-Early Life and Career:He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, then later grew up in Scarsdale, New York and Hunterdon County, New Jersey. After attending Flemington High School, and graduating from Mercersburg Academy, Lenfest went on to receive his BA from Washington and Lee University in 1953 and...
- Founder, Lenfest Communications - Charles Li - CEO, Hong Kong Exchanges and ClearingHong Kong Exchanges and ClearingHong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited , also 香港交易所 or 港交所; abbreviated as HKEx; ) is the holding company for The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited , Hong Kong Futures Exchange Limited and Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited...
- J. Michael LuttigJ. Michael LuttigJ. Michael Luttig is an American lawyer and a former federal appellate court judge.-Education and early work:Born in Tyler, Texas, Luttig graduated from Washington and Lee University in 1976. He then attended the University of Virginia School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor degree in...
- General Counsel, BoeingBoeingThe Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001... - Gary LynchGary LynchGary G. Lynch is an American attorney and the former chief legal officer for the New York investment bank Morgan Stanley. He was formerly Vice Chairman of the Firm, resident in its London Office....
- Vice Chairman, Morgan StanleyMorgan StanleyMorgan Stanley is a global financial services firm headquartered in New York City serving a diversified group of corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. Morgan Stanley also operates in 36 countries around the world, with over 600 offices and a workforce of over 60,000.... - Timothy Mayopoulos - General Counsel, Fannie Mae
- Axel MillerAxel MillerAxel Miller is a Belgian businessman. From January 2006 to September 2008, he was chief executive officer and chairman of the Management Board of Dexia S.A...
- Chairman & CEO, Dexia S.A. - Sara E. Moss - Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Estee Lauder
- Ronald Robins - General Counsel, Abercrombie & FitchAbercrombie & FitchAbercrombie & Fitch is an American retailer that focuses on casual wear for consumers aged 18 to 22. It has over 300 locations in the United States, and is expanding internationally....
- Francis Lynde StetsonFrancis Lynde StetsonFrancis Lynde Stetson was an American lawyer.He was born at Keeseville, New York, the son of Lemuel Stetson who served in the New York state assembly and as a representative in the 28th U. S. Congress. He was graduated from Williams College in 1867 and from Columbia Law School in 1869...
- Attorney for John Pierpont Morgan; former president, New York State Bar AssociationNew York State Bar AssociationThe New York State Bar Association , with 77,000 members, is the largest voluntary bar association in the United States.-History:The State Bar was founded with a constitution that dates to 1877...
.
Media & Entertainment
- Amory Bradford - Former General Manager & Vice President, New York Times
- Lisa Daniels - Correspondent, NBC News
- He LiHe LiHe Li was a Chinese young poet, chairman of the China Nationwide High School Students Literature Association . His father is He Jiuying, a professor at Beijing University.-Biography:...
- Chinese Poet - Crystal McKellarCrystal McKellarCrystal Dawn Scripps McKellar is an American attorney and former child actress.McKellar was born in San Diego, California. When she was seven years old, her family moved to Los Angeles. She and her sister Danica were both students at the Diane Hill Hardin Young Actors Space school...
- Actress - Henry Schleiff - President & CEO, Crown MediaCrown MediaCrown Media Holdings, Inc. is a United States media production company with corporate headquarters located in Studio City, California, and is controlled by Hallmark Cards....
, owner of Hallmark ChannelHallmark ChannelThe Hallmark Channel is a cable television network that broadcasts across the United States. Their programming includes a mix of television movies/miniseries, syndicated series, and lifestyle shows that are appropriate for the whole family...
Academia
- George BermannGeorge BermannGeorge Bermann is an American lawyer and scholar of international law. He is the Walter Gelhorn Professor of Law, the Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law, and the Director of the European Legal Studies Center at Columbia Law School, as well as a permanent faculty member of the Institut...
- Director, European Legal Studies Center, Columbia Law SchoolColumbia Law SchoolColumbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in... - Charles Black - Professor, Yale Law School
- Brian CaseyBrian CaseyDr. Brian W. Casey is the current President of DePauw University.He graduated from the Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, New Jersey. He later earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy and economics from the University of Notre Dame, where he was invited to join Phi Beta Kappa.He earned...
- President, DePauw UniversityDePauw UniversityDePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, USA, is a private, national liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The school has a Methodist heritage and was originally known as Indiana Asbury University. DePauw is a member of both the Great Lakes Colleges Association... - James Feinerman - Professor, Georgetown University Law CenterGeorgetown University Law CenterGeorgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
- Barry E FriedmanBarry E FriedmanBarry E. Friedman is an American academic with an expertise in federal courts, working at the intersections of law, politics and history. Friedman teaches a variety of courses including Constitutional Law, Federal Courts, and Criminal Procedure. He writes about judicial review, constitutional law...
- Vice Dean, New York University School of LawNew York University School of LawThe New York University School of Law is the law school of New York University. Established in 1835, the school offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in law, and is located in Greenwich Village, in the New York City borough of Manhattan.... - Linda LorimerLinda LorimerLinda Lorimer is an American university administrator.Lorimer graduated from the Norfolk Academy, Hollins University, and Yale Law School. She practiced law in New York City with the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell before holding a series of administrative positions at Yale between 1978 and...
- Secretary, Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States... - Milton Regan - Professor, Georgetown University Law Center
- Julie O'SullivanJulie O'SullivanJulie O'Sullivan has been a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center since joining the faculty in November 1994 from her position in the Office of Independent Counsel , where she worked on the "Whitewater" investigation. She served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Criminal Division of...
- Professor, Georgetown University Law Center - Alex Raskolnikov - Professor, Columbia Law School
- David SchizerDavid SchizerDavid M. Schizer was named the fourteenth Dean of Columbia Law School in 2004. He was appointed dean at the age of 35, making him the youngest dean in the school's history and one of the youngest deans of a top law school.One of the nation's leading experts in tax law, Schizer worked at Davis Polk...
- Dean, Columbia Law School - Michael Simkovic - Professor, Seton Hall Law School
- Lee-Ford Tritt - Associate Professor, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
- David E. Van ZandtDavid E. Van ZandtDavid E. Van Zandt is President of The New School. He is the former Dean of Northwestern University School of Law. He has taught courses in international financial markets, business associations, property, practical issues in business law, and legal realism...
- President, The New SchoolThe New SchoolThe New School is a university in New York City, located mostly in Greenwich Village. From its founding in 1919 by progressive New York academics, and for most of its history, the university was known as the New School for Social Research. Between 1997 and 2005 it was known as New School University...
, Former Dean, Northwestern University School of Law
Recognitions
- In 2010, Davis Polk was ranked third in "Revenue per Lawyer" by the American Lawyer's top 100 National Firms.
- Davis Polk ranked among the top three U.S. law firms in a survey in which Fortune 250 law departments were asked to name the firms they rely on most in corporate transactions.
- The firm had more #1 capital markets rankings than any other law firm in 2007, and in 2008, the firm advised the underwriters in the Visa IPO, the largest IPO in U.S. history, and the GE offering, the largest follow-on offering in U.S. history.
- The firm ranked 3rd among U.S. law firms in both worldwide announced and completed M&A transactions in 2007.
- Davis Polk was ranked among the top law firms in U.S. buyouts and venture capital investments by Chambers Global, which noted that the firm "is able to leverage off its outstanding M&A strength in covering the broad spectrum of private equity work.’”
- The firm was ranked among the top law firms in private equity fund formation by Chambers Global, which noted that Davis Polk's investment management group "has a strong presence in the private funds market and has leveraged off the firm’s impressive finance practice in forging strong relationships with a significant number of investment banks.”
- The firm's litigation practice ranks in the first tier among New York law firms, according to Chambers USA.
- Individual Davis Polk insolvency & restructuring lawyers were named “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer
- “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer” by Turnarounds & Workouts and “Lawyer of the Year” by Law Business Research’s Who’s Who Legal–International Who’s Who of Insolvency & Restructuring Lawyers.
- Davis Polk ranked in the first tier among New York law firms in U.S. tax matters by Chambers USA, which commented that “with a ‘terrific team of excellent tax lawyers,’ the group successfully mixes M&A and finance, establishing itself as one of the premier law firms in New York, and indeed across the USA.”
- At the 2008 ALB SE Asia Law Awards, Davis Polk & Wardwell was crowned:
- Deal of the Year - Debt Market Deal of the Year
- Deal of the Year - Equity Market Deal of the Year
- At the 2008 ALB China Law Awards, Davis Polk & Wardwell was crowned:
- Deal of the Year - M&A Deal of the Year
- In 2008 was crowned by the 2008 ALB Japan Law Awards as the:
- Deal of the Year - M&A Deal of the Year
- Deal of the Year - Japan Deal of the Year
- In October 2008, a Davis Polk team working with the Asian American Legal Defense and Education FundAsian American Legal Defense and Education FundThe Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund is a New York-based national organization founded in 1974 that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, AALDEF works with Asian American communities across the...
won a $4.6 million judgment on behalf of immigrant workers who were being paid below the statutory minimum wage by their employer, a popular Manhattan restaurant. - In March 2007, Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) awarded Davis Polk its Heroes Honors 25th Anniversary Award for the corporate pro bono work the firm has done on the organization’s behalf.
- The New York State Bar Association presented senior counsel Jimmy Benkard with the 2007 President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the First Judicial District for his exemplary work on behalf of mentally ill prisoners incarcerated in the New York State prison system.
North America
- New York - The firm's largest office, housing 80 percent of its lawyers at 450 Lexington Avenue. Partners in the New York office include former WhitewaterWhitewater controversyThe Whitewater controversy was an American politics controversy that began with the real estate investments of Bill and Hillary Clinton and their associates, Jim and Susan McDougal in the Whitewater Development Corporation, a failed business venture in the 1970s and 1980s.A New York...
prosecutor Robert B. Fiske. - Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
- Menlo ParkMenlo Park, CaliforniaMenlo Park, California is a city at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, in the United States. It is bordered by San Francisco Bay on the north and east; East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and Stanford to the south; Atherton, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City...
- Opened in 1999 by luring a high-profile partner from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & RosatiWilson Sonsini Goodrich & RosatiWilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is a law firm in the United States that specializes in business, securities, and intellectual property law. The firm's Chairman, Larry Sonsini, is well known as an attorney and advisor to technology companies....
and another former Davis Polk associate from the predecessor to Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw PittmanPillsbury Winthrop Shaw PittmanPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an international, full-service law firm with strengths in the energy, financial services, real estate and technology sectors and offices located throughout the United States and the world, including key financial centers such as New York, London, Tokyo and...
.
South America
- São Paolo - Opened in 2011 and is the firm's latest office opening headed by Maurice Blanco.
Europe
- London - Opened in 1973 as the firm's second overseas office. The firm only practices New York law in London.
- Paris - Opened in 1962 as the firm's first overseas office. The firm practices New York and French law in Paris.
- MadridMadridMadrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
- Opened in 2001, building on its relationship with leading Spanish bank Banco Santander Central Hispano.
Asia
- Hong Kong (Hong Kong Club BuildingHong Kong Club BuildingThe Hong Kong Club Building is 25-storey office building located in between Chater Road and Connaught Road Central at the junction of Jackson Road, in Central, Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Club Building is currently in its third generation, in its second location...
). In addition to its well-established New York-law practice in Hong Kong, the firm recently launched a Hong Kong-law practice after recruiting the former managing partner of the Beijing office of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and another partner from the legal department of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. - Tokyo (Izumi Garden TowerIzumi Garden TowerThe is a 216 m high-rise building in the Roppongi district of Tokyo. The tower features a high-end hotel, luxury apartments with views of Tokyo and the Tokyo Tower, a fitness center, offices, shops and restaurants...
) - Beijing