Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP‘s lender-focused practice has good traction among investment banks and credit funds ensuring that it picks up a significant flow of both large and mid-cap sponsor-backed leveraged finance deals. A strong selling point is the firm’s ability to advise on English and New York-law governed transactions utilising financing products throughout the capital structure, both on European and transatlantic deals. Luke McDougall has been key to the firm’s heightened profile in the market and since joining in July 2024 from Paul Hastings LLP has picked up some high-quality work, often in the role as designated lender counsel. Nick Benham heads up the team and as well as handling sponsor-backed leveraged finance deals, he also regularly advises on investment-grade acquisition financings, including in relation to public company takeovers.