Department profile

Litigation: Securities

USA Guide 2026 : New York

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

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Ranked Individuals

About

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

Litigation: Securities - New York

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Davis Polk & Wardwell is a first-class player across an impressive breadth of big-ticket disputes, acclaimed for its standout reputation in defending suits brought against issuers, auditors and financial institutions in securities matters. The group demonstrates excellent abilities in wider commercial litigation, frequently acting on multibillion-dollar breach of contract claims as well as matters such as malpractice suits and class actions. The firm calls upon a formidable roster of talented litigators, offering extensive expertise in trial and appellate proceedings.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Davis Polk & Wardwell continued to defend Morgan Stanley in the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court against claims brought by IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG (IKB) arising from the sale of residential mortgage-backed securities.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Davis Polk & Wardwell's attorneys are true experts and have the ability to shepherd me through anything. They not only know their field but they are skilled at keeping the client updated, explaining developments clearly and in layman's terms, providing great advice with solid reasoning.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Davis Polk & Wardwell is thoughtful, strategic and extremely responsive. Its lawyers understand our business very well and are invested in learning more.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Davis Polk & Wardwell's ability to handle complex matters distinguishes the firm. The team knows us inside and out, and is reasonable and pragmatic. Its attorneys are very prepared and exceptionally good writers.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Davis Polk & Wardwell has an impeccable knowledge of the law, identifying angles other firms might have missed, securing phenomenal results for clients. It has a top-notch team consisting of extremely experienced, brilliant lawyers who are extremely responsive.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
Lawrence Portnoy
Lawrence Portnoy demonstrates impressive capability in M&A disputes, often for public company clients. He is highly adept at defending against securities class actions, including ERISA cases.
Lawrence is terrific.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Lawrence offers valuable litigation insights.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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Band 1
Band 1
James Rouhandeh
James Rouhandeh regularly appears in the most significant securities cases for a host of major corporate issuer and banking clients. He is often involved in matters such as post-IPO disputes, RMBS-related claims and wider securities class actions.
James is highly strategic and has a great vision across legal matters. He is highly effective and has very strong client relationships.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
James is a brilliant, creative strategist and a seasoned litigator. He plays the long game and cuts to the heart of our hardest litigation challenges.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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Band 3
Band 3
Andrew Ditchfield
Andrew Ditchfield focuses on complex M&A and wider securities litigation, with notable experience in pre-transaction shareholder disputes.
Andrew is incredibly smart and hardworking.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Andrew is excellent at thinking on his feet.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Andrew is an incredible litigator.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Andrew is a recognized expert in chancery litigation.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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Band 3
Band 3
Charles Duggan
Charles Duggan regularly represents issuers, financial institutions and high-ranking individuals in securities litigation. His recent experience includes representing financial institutions as underwriters in cases relating to stock and bond offerings.
Charles is a brilliant and sophisticated adviser.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Charles is a steady hand who is really thoughtful in his advice. He takes pride in developing mastery of the company, business and the risk profile.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Charles is a subject-matter expert in the areas he covers.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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Band 3
Band 3
Dana M Seshens
Dana Seshens possesses an impressive breadth of securities and commercial litigation expertise, with experience handling disputes involving IPOs, mergers and acquisitions and trade secrets.
Dana is a wonderful communicator and a keen strategic thinker.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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Band 3
Band 3
Edmund Polubinski
Edmund Polubinski represents clients in complex disputes involving securities fraud and M&A. He is prominent in litigation arising from a range of industries including pharmaceuticals, finance and cryptocurrency.
Ted is commercial, pragmatic and provides good and balanced insights. He sees the bigger picture.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Ted has exceptional strategic awareness and substantive depth of knowledge.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Ted is excellent. He is a true professional.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Ted is very talented.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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Band 6
Band 6
Benjamin Kaminetzky
Benjamin Kaminetzky excels in complex bankruptcy related litigation as part of a broad based commercial disputes practice. He focuses his practice substantially on the representation of financial institutions.
Ben is a superb litigator.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Ben's wise counsel is invaluable. He is a true lawyer's lawyer.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Ben has the experience, expertise and advisory and advocacy skills needed to lead the team handling complex litigation matters across multiple jurisdictions.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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Band 6
Band 6
Brian S Weinstein
Brian Weinstein is adept in a broad array of complex commercial disputes including contract, RMBS and bankruptcy related matters, with particular expertise in representing banking and finance sector clients.
Brian is a skilled litigator and adviser on all things related to the litigation process. You always want Brian in your corner as he is a smart, fierce advocate for his clients.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Brian can get into the weeds and help you through challenging fact patterns. He is an excellent writer and a terrific oral advocate.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
Brian is extremely smart, available and provides insightful and thoughtful advice.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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Band 6
Band 6
Lara Samet Buchwald
Lara Samet Buchwald excels in handling securities and bankruptcy litigation, alongside a wide range of other commercial disputes.
Lara is a smart, strategic thinker. She combines practical advice with sophisticated legal analysis.
Litigation: Securities respondentUSA
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