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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Derivatives

Global Guide 2026 : USA

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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

Derivatives - USA

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP boasts a broad-ranging practice, able to provide a full-service offering in all types of derivatives, with a leading reputation for its representation of issuers and underwriters in transactions. The firm's extensive deal experience includes OTC derivatives, repurchases and funded-collar transactions. The attorneys are particularly active advising on margin loans and back-leverage financings and draw upon the firm's global network in providing high end advice to major financial institutions, hedge funds and derivatives organizations.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advised Aptiv in connection with accelerated share repurchase transactions, pursuant to which Aptiv repurchased an aggregate of $3 billion of its ordinary shares. 

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team has deep knowledge of complex financial transactions supported by an outstanding bench of both partners and associates.

    Derivatives respondentGlobal

  • Davis Polk is mindful of the needs of their business clients and able to provide practical, tailored advice.

    Derivatives respondentGlobal

  • Davis Polk has the deepest and most experienced number of senior lawyers of any other firm that operates in this space.

    Derivatives respondentGlobal

  • The team have an incredibly deep bench that extends from the partnership down to their associates and their derivatives knowledge is unparalleled.

    Derivatives respondentGlobal

  • Not sure there's any other firm that knows the market as well as Davis Polk does. The team is able to advise on grey areas of the derivatives world.

    Derivatives respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Ray Ibrahim
    Ray Ibrahim

    Ray Ibrahim

    Ray Ibrahim has an enviable wealth of derivatives experience, particularly noted for his excellent work on margin loans.
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  • Mark Mendez
    Mark Mendez

    Mark Mendez

    Mark Mendez garners excellent feedback for his knowledge of equity derivatives and is highly regarded for his ability to advise on a broad range of equity-linked products.

    • He is extremely sharp and able to deal with all of the issues. He has strong commercial judgment and awareness of where the market sits.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal

    • Mark is awesome, always responsive and probably works the hardest out of anyone I've seen.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal

    • Mark is the gold standard in the space.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal

    • Mark is simply the best at delivering on every level.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal
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  • Mark DiFiore
    Mark DiFiore

    Mark DiFiore

    Mark DiFiore has experience acting for various parties, from investors to corporates, on the full range of equity, and equity-linked, transactions.

    • Mark is able to work with us on the most complex deals. His name carries weight and he has a proven track record.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal

    • Mark is easy to work with, knowledgeable and commercial. I always like to work with and run complex questions by him.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal

    • Mark is one of our very first calls when there's a question of first impression.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal
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  • Caitlin Wood
    Caitlin Wood

    Caitlin Wood

    Caitlin Wood bolsters her broad capital markets practice with strength on derivative matters. She regularly acts for initial purchasers, lenders and dealers.

    • She is smart and very commercial.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal

    • Caitlin is awesome, always fun to work with and has deep knowledge across a range of topics.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal
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  • Derek Walters
    Derek Walters

    Derek Walters

    Derek Walters has noteworthy experience in equity derivatives and margin loans, among other financial products.

    • We can always trust Derek to deliver.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal

    • He is an expert on margin loans.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal

    • Derek is great to work with and provides consistently strong service and counsel.

      Derivatives respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (6)

USA

Members

Provided by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

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