Department profile

Tax

USA Guide 2026 : New York

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Rankings

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

Tax - New York

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is a marquee domestic and international tax practice, covering the spectrum of tax planning and controversy for its impressive multinational client base. The firm is highlighted for its extensive expertise in financial products and capital markets, and regularly advises on the tax implications of major bankruptcies and real estate transactions.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advised Comcast Corporation on tax aspects of its creation of a new publicly traded company called Versant.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The group has amazing depth in highly complex US tax technical matters anchored to robust experience and practical insights.
Tax respondentUSA
The group provides top-notch advice we can bank on.
Tax respondentUSA
The firm has world class expertise in the tax structuring of M&A transactions.
Tax respondentUSA
The team has an extremely strong strategic mindset and commercial insight coupled with very strong legal skills.
Tax respondentUSA
The firm's tax department is very deep and experienced. It has done a great job in developing talent and are top-notch in every area of tax law.
Tax respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Eminent Practitioners
Eminent Practitioners
Neil J Barr
Neil Barr offers vast experience in transactional tax matters, regularly advising clients on domestic and cross-border M&A, spin-outs and sales. He acts as the firm's chair and managing partner.
Neil is a trusted adviser. He is deeply knowledgeable, has reliable judgment and is highly responsive. He is the person I call with my biggest, most sensitive legal questions.
Tax respondentUSA
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Band 1
Band 1
David H Schnabel
David Schnabel is highly regarded for his skilled handling of tax matters. He regularly acts for clients, including private equity firms and energy companies, on high value M&A.
He is my favorite tax adviser.
Tax respondentUSA
David is really excellent. He is one of the leaders in the United States for partnership taxation.
Tax respondentUSA
David has an amazing breadth of knowledge, problem-solving abilities and an ability to give clear understandable advice in real time.
Tax respondentUSA
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Band 1
Band 1
Lucy W Farr
Lucy Farr continues to be a go-to for financial institutions seeking counsel on the development of financial products. She also has notable expertise in cross-border matters.
Lucy is consistently excellent.
Tax respondentUSA
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Band 1
Band 1
Michael Mollerus
Michael Mollerus is a well-regarded tax practitioner with commendable expertise in M&A and other corporate transactions. His client roster includes private equity firms.
He is the best tax lawyer in NYC.
Tax respondentUSA
Michael is really smart, thoughtful and responsive.
Tax respondentUSA
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Band 4
Band 4
Corey Goodman
Corey Goodman has a growing practice which includes advising clients on federal tax matters. He also handles tax issues revolving around transactions such as M&A and joint ventures.
Corey is incredible. He really knows his stuff. He is practical, creative and explains complex tax issues in understandable terms.
Tax respondentUSA
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Band 4
Band 4
Kara Mungovan
Kara Mungovan wins praise from clients and peers alike for her work on complex corporate transactions. She frequently works on M&A, capital markets deals and financings.
Kara is a quintessential DPW partner. She has deep subject matter expertise in M&A. She is very thoughtful and analytical, but also a great team player.
Tax respondentUSA
Kara has an exceptional ability to explain highly complex concepts in a clear and understandable way. Her technical expertise is outstanding and she provides insightful advice on issues that may not be immediately apparent. She is also forward-thinking, anticipating challenges and opportunities before they arise.
Tax respondentUSA
Kara is very technically strong. We are always confident in the advice that she provides.
Tax respondentUSA
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Band 4
Band 4
William A. Curran
William Curran advises on a range of tax work. He is particularly adept at cross-border matters, including restructuring and mergers, for both public and private clients.
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Band 5
Band 5
Patrick E Sigmon
Patrick Sigmon is a talented partner highlighted for his expertise in complex M&A and restructurings. His client base includes prominent public and private companies.
An absolute rockstar. He is a professional problem-solver to be trusted on all accounts. He is a personified bucket of water to put out fires.
Tax respondentUSA
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Aliza Slansky
Aliza Slansky is a rising star in the tax department, recognized for her skills advising clients on a variety of transactions, including M&A deals and IPOs.
Aliza is a trusted advisor who quickly understands the relevant transaction and can provide both comprehensive and understandable tax advice in a short timeframe.
Tax respondentUSA
Aliza is a rigorous thinker on tax products.
Tax respondentUSA
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Ethan Goldman
Ethan Goldman is an up-and-coming partner in the tax team, adept at handling a wide range of transactions, including cross-border M&A deals, joint ventures and partnership investments.
Ethan is very responsive and able to communicate complex issues very well. He connects the dots on different issues and experiences.
Tax respondentUSA
Ethan is at the top of the next generation of tax lawyers. He has great judgment, is responsive and willing to take the time to truly understand all issues and provide great advice.
Tax respondentUSA
Ethan is very thoughtful, sharp and knows his stuff.
Tax respondentUSA
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