Mr. Townley is a member of Davis Polk & Wardwell’s Corporate Department. He advises clients on investment funds and related corporate finance transactions, including the structuring and offering of hedge funds, private equity funds and other investment vehicles. His work often focuses on the utilization of derivative instruments or structured products in connection with private funds and investment companies. In addition, Mr. Townley advises financial institutions, fund sponsors, corporations, employees’ securities companies, and other entities regarding regulations and exemptions under the Investment Company Act and Investment Advisers Act.

Mr. Townley joined Davis Polk in 1986 and became a partner in 1994. He practiced in the Hong Kong and Tokyo offices from 1995 to 1998. He graduated from Yale College in 1979 and in 1985 received his J.D. from Yale Law School, where he was an editor of the Yale Law Journal. Mr. Townley clerked for the Honorable Robert W. Sweet, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, from 1985 to 1986.