LAWYER PROFILE
Robert W Downes

Robert W Downes

Global 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Global

Practice Areas

Capital Markets; Corporate Governance; Credit & Leveraged Finance; Cybersecurity; Artificial Intelligence; REITs.

Career

Partner since 2000. Co-chair of the Firm’s Capital Markets Group. For over 30 years, Mr. Downes has advised on many of the high-profile public and private offerings of equity and debt securities, including securities issued in initial public offerings, and M&A and joint ventures for U.S. and non-U.S. issuers. He also has been actively involved in advising domestic issuers on corporate governance matters, as well as on cybersecurity issues.

Mr. Downes has recently represented clients such as AMC Networks; Barclays Bank; Biohaven Ltd.; Citizens Financial Group; CONMED; Donnelley Financial; Douglas Elliman; Evercore; H2O America; Loews Corporation; MSG Entertainment; MSG Sports; Pinnacle West; Popular, Inc.; Protara Therapeutics; The Related Companies; Sphere Entertainment; Symbotic; United Rentals; and Vector Group.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Downes worked as a certified public accountant in the Washington, D.C. office of Coopers & Lybrand.

Professional Memberships

Board of Directors, ArtsConnection; Board of Directors, Jefferson Scholars Foundation, and Co-Chair, New York Regional Selection Committee of the University Jefferson Scholarship.

Personal

George Washington University Law School (JD, 1991); University of Virginia (BS Accounting, 1985).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Eastern United States - USA

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Co-head of the firm's capital markets practice Robert Downes is highly skilled at transactions relating to high-yield and investment-grade debt, as well as equity offerings.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • He is incredibly cool and calm under pressure.

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Eastern United StatesChambers Global Guide
  • He is really an outstanding lawyer.

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Eastern United StatesChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (104)

Australia

Belgium

China

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    Gwen Wong

    Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Kay Ian Ng
    Kay Ian Ng

    Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Ching-Yang Lin
    Ching-Yang Lin

    Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Steven Hsu
    Steven Hsu

    Capital Markets: Equity (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Kay Ian Ng
    Kay Ian Ng

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Ching-Yang Lin
    Ching-Yang Lin

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

    View profile

France

Germany

Italy

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