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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Corporate/M&A: The Elite

USA Guide 2026 : New York

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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

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Provided by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

For more information about Davis Polk’s practices, please visit https://www.davispolk.com/capabilities.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A: The Elite - New York

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP continues to be sought out by clients for a range of transactions, including cross-border deals. The firm is highly adept in handling large, complex M&A in a broad variety of industry sectors, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals and energy. The team offers notable expertise in joint ventures, carve-outs and leveraged buyouts. The firm's clientele includes market-leading public and private companies and financial sponsors.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Davis Polk & Wardell advised Intra-Cellular Therapies on its $14.6 billion acquisition by Johnson & Johnson.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They consistently provide the best service. In transactions, I always think I have the best team there.

    Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

  • They have an incredible combination of sophisticated and technical legal skills with sage commercial and business feel to make them a go-to thought partner on all aspects of a transaction.

    Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

  • Davis Polk is a global firm with extraordinary bench strength.

    Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

  • The department stands out for its combination of deep technical expertise, commercial pragmatism and genuinely client-focused service.

    Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • George R Bason Jr
    George R Bason Jr

    George R Bason Jr

    George Bason serves as chairman of the firm's M&A group and has long been a formidable presence in the New York market. He applies his deep experience to headline corporate transactions.
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  • William H Aaronson
    William H Aaronson

    William H Aaronson

    William Aaronson sits as head of the firm's M&A group. He offers strong counsel in a broad range of transactions. He is adept at handling high-stakes transactions.

    • William is a great lawyer. He sees issues before they become problems and deals with them expeditiously.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • He is superb.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • He is just a tremendous adviser. Not only because of his legal skills, but business expertise.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
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  • H. Oliver Smith
    H. Oliver Smith

    H. Oliver Smith

    Oliver Smith co-heads the department and is strong across a variety of corporate transactions, including M&A, private equity buyouts and joint ventures. He is active in both domestic and cross-border deals.

    • He delivers real advice on complex matters and has a great touch with clients.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Oliver is extremely hard working and has extremely accurate and solid attention to detail.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • He is very on-top of what is market.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Oliver has the experience and depth to work on the most complex and hairy matters. He is the guy you want with you in the boardroom at crunch time.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
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  • James P Dougherty
    James P Dougherty

    James P Dougherty

    James Dougherty boasts considerable experience in a variety of transactional matters and corporate governance issues.

    • James is a tremendous M&A lawyer.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
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  • Brian Wolfe
    Brian Wolfe

    Brian Wolfe

    Brian Wolfe routinely handles significant transactions on behalf of clients in sectors such as financial services and media and communications.

    • Brian combines exceptional legal acumen with great commercial feel. He is always focused on helping us accomplish our goals and making us look good in the process.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • He is wicked smart and nothing gets past him.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
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  • Daniel Brass
    Daniel Brass

    Daniel Brass

    Daniel Brass advises public and private companies on a broad range of corporate transactions.

    • I trust Daniel with bet-the-farm type of deals.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Daniel brings business sense and becomes an adviser. He balances risks, which is rare.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • He is very responsive and has a high level of expertise in complex deals.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA

    • He manages to treat every client like it is the biggest and helps create a true partnership.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
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  • Marc O Williams
    Marc O Williams

    Marc O Williams

    Marc Williams is well reputed for his deep expertise in high-end M&A transactions. His clients include sophisticated public and private companies and financial institutions.

    • Marc has a strong understanding of our business and our business needs. He has an ability to navigate complex deals and difficult counterparties.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
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  • Phillip R Mills
    Phillip R Mills

    Phillip R Mills

    Phillip Mills is an experienced corporate practitioner who offers counsel to clients on domestic and cross-border transactions. He has additional expertise in corporate governance matters and issues concerning fiduciary duty.

    • Phillip is the bet-the-company counsellor and adviser.

      Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (8)

New York

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