General
- Davis Polk ranked among the top 3 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 (Corporate Counsel, September 2007).
Capital Markets
- Davis Polk had more #1 capital market rankings than any other law firm in 2007, according to Bloomberg.
- Davis Polk ranked 1st as both issuer’s and managers’ counsel in U.S. equity and equity-related offerings in the first three quarters of 2007, according to Thomson Financial.
- Davis Polk ranked 1st as both issuer’s
and managers’ counsel in U.S. convertible offerings in the first three quarters
of 2007, according to Thomson Financial.
- Davis Polk ranked 1st as both issuer’s and managers’ counsel in U.S. investment-grade corporate debt offerings in the first three quarters of 2007, according to Thomson Financial.
- Davis Polk was named “Asian Equity Team of the Year” in 2007 by IFLR and “Asian Debt Team of the Year” in 2007 by Asian Legal Business.
- Davis Polk worked on the largest SEC-registered IPO in 2007 (Cosan) and the second-largest IPO ever (BM&F) by a Latin American issuer.
Mergers and Acquisitions
- Davis Polk ranked 3rd among U.S. law firms in both worldwide announced and completed M&A transactions in 2007, according to Thomson Financial.
- Davis Polk ranked 3rd among law firms in U.S. M&A deals completed in 2007, according to Thomson Financial.
- Davis Polk ranked 3rd among U.S. law firms in cross-border M&A deals announced in 2007, according to Bloomberg.
- Davis Polk ranked 3rd as U.S. counsel to principals in European M&A transactions announced in 2007, according to Bloomberg.
Private Equity
- Davis Polk ranked among the top law firms in global private equity deals announced in 2007, according to Bloomberg.
- Davis Polk was ranked among the top law firms in U.S.
buyouts and venture capital investments by Chambers Global (2007) —“‘An
excellent firm with excellent lawyers,’ the outfit is able to leverage
off its outstanding M&A strength in covering the broad spectrum of private
equity work.’”
Litigation
- Davis Polk ranked in the first tier among New York law
firms in general commercial litigation matters, according to Chambers
USA (2007) —“A cadre of ‘talented and deeply professional’ lawyers
represents a sophisticated clientele, including financial institutions and
international companies, in high-stakes litigation….”
- Seven Davis Polk lawyers were listed as leaders in litigation by Chambers USA (2007).
Credit Transactions
- Davis Polk had 11 nominees in Legal Media Group’s Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Banking Lawyers (2007)—this
is more than any other law firm.
- Davis Polk ranked in the first tier among global law firms in U.S. bank lending transactions, according to IFLR1000 (2007)
Callout: Davis Polk was ranked in the first tier among U.S. banking and finance transactions by Chambers Global (2007) – “The credit group is ‘among the preeminent banking practices in the USA,’ according to observers.”
Insolvency and Restructuring
- In 2007, individual Davis Polk & Wardwell 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 (2007).
- We served as lead bankruptcy and restructuring counsel
to Delta Air Lines, advising the company on its Chapter 11 proceedings and
numerous complex financing and restructuring measures. With $28 billion of
listed assets, Delta’s is the 10th-largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history.
Investment Management
- Davis Polk was ranked among the top law firms in private
equity fund formation by Chambers Global (2007)—“The 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.”
- Two Davis Polk lawyers were listed as leaders in fund formation by Chambers USA (2007).
Environmental
- Davis Polk was ranked in the first tier among New York law firms in environmental matters by Chambers USA (2007)—“Clients consistently praised the group’s teamwork and high standard of advice: ‘The firm is exceptional and ranks at the top of my list, which includes some of the largest and most prestigious firms in the country.’”
- Three Davis Polk lawyers were listed as leaders in environmental law by Chambers USA (2007).
Antitrust
- Davis Polk ranked among the top law firms in competition/antitrust
matters by Chambers Global (2007)—“Over and above being ‘strong
lawyers with a great stable of clients,’ the attorneys here are respected
for their intelligence, consistency, and reasonableness.”
- Four Davis Polk lawyers were listed as leading lawyers in antitrust by Chambers USA (2007).
Tax
- Davis Polk ranked in the first tier among New York law firms in U.S. tax matters by Chambers USA (2007)—“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.”
- Six Davis Polk lawyers were listed as leaders in tax by Chambers USA (2007).
Pro Bono
- In March 2007, the 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. (March 2007)
- The New York State Bar Association presented senior counsel James 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.
- The San Mateo Legal Aid Society named associates Beth Hooton-Ruiz and Peter Lamb its Pro Bono Honorees for their hard work on a guardianship case. (December 2006)
- The Legal Aid Society presented the firm, senior counsel
James Benkard, counsel Nancy Ludmerer, associates Candy
Lawson, Lydia Kang,
Andrew Krause, Una Dean and legal assistants Dwayne
Dawson and Lisa Scovotti,
with the Exceptional Service to Low Income New Yorkers award for their work
on a case representing individuals with mental illness incarcerated in the
New York State prison system. (November 2006)
- The Legal Aid Society presented former associates Chris Withers, Keith Berger, Shannon Simpson and Margery Shanoff with the Exceptional Service to Low Income New Yorkers for their work on behalf of a client wrongfully convicted of murder. (November 2006)
- inMotion presented Davis Polk with its Law Firm Commitment to Justice Award and honored associate Jonathan Martin for his work on behalf of a victim of domestic violence. (November 2006)
Diversity
- Davis Polk ranked 2nd among New York law firms in Vault’s 2008 rankings of “The Best 20 Law Firms for Diversity.”
- Davis Polk ranked 2nd among New York law firms in Vault’s 2008 rankings of “Diversity for Women.”
