Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advises on a broad range of domestic and international transactions, providing expertise on acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, spin-offs, and IPOs, among other matters. Beyond its strength in domestic matters, the team has additional experience acting across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, with strength in the energy, tech, and manufacturing sectors, among others. David Schnabel heads the department, and has key expertise on tax aspects of M&A, recently advising ExxonMobil on its $59.5 bn acquisition of oil and gas company Pioneer Natural Resources. Neil Barr, who is the firm’s chairman and managing partner, is a key name. Lucy Farr is highly experienced in tax issues relating to corporate finance and derivatives, while Michael Mollerus advises on IPOs and spinoffs, and is particularly active on behalf of clients in the corporate, real estate, and private equity sectors. Corey Goodman advises on various tax aspects of a wide range of major transactions. Other core team members include private equity expert Ethan Goldman, and Patrick Sigmon, who has recent experience in matters relating to the taxation of cryptocurrency. All practitioners mentioned are based in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Key clients

  • Alcoa
  • Bain Capital
  • Cleveland-Cliffs
  • Corelle Brands
  • Comcast
  • Crestview Advisors
  • Digicel
  • Emerson
  • ExxonMobil
  • Grayscale Investments, LLC
  • Harvest Partners, LP
  • Livent (n/k/a Arcadium Lithium)

Work highlights

Advised ExxonMobil on the tax and corporate aspects of its $59.5 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources.
Advised Grayscale on the tax and corporate aspects of the years-long effort to secure SEC approval for the NYSE Arca successful uplisting of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust to an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Advised TPG, with capital, growth, impact, real estate and market solutions platforms, as to tax, corporate and financing matters on its $3.1 billion acquisition of Angelo Gordon.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Neil Barr
David Schnabel

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Corey Goodman

Practice head

David Schnabel

Other key lawyers

Neil Barr; Lucy Farr; Corey Goodman; William Curran; Michael Mollerus; Kara Mungovan; Ethan Goldman; Patrick Sigmon