Davis Polk Chair and Managing Partner Neil Barr discussed with the American Lawyer Davis Polk’s market-leading role advising on law firm mergers.

The article highlights Davis Polk’s work on multiple recent merger discussions, including the recently announced combination of Cadwalader and Hogan Lovells, which will be the largest law firm combination in history, as well as Ashurst’s $2.7 billion merger with Perkins Coie and Shearman & Sterling’s merger with Allen & Overy.

Neil notes that Davis Polk wasn’t necessarily looking to become one of Big Law’s merger go-to firms, but is “leaning in” now that some consistency in interest has arisen. “There seems to be a fact pattern that emerged,” he said.

Industry experts quoted in the article note that Davis Polk has become so prevalent in this space because of the firm’s “credibility and expertise as deal counsel…as well as its connections as a top New York firm.”

According to Neil, “We take pride in the fact that our colleagues in the industry look to us for advice on their most significant matters.”

Outside of mergers, some law firms are exploring private equity transactions to scale up. When asked about this, Neil explained, “That is a separate ballgame. Many law firms are thinking about that right now, and, frankly, many of those law firms are in the part of the legal services market that is also considering mergers. For clarity, that doesn’t mean right now they are talking to a private equity sponsor or that it is explicit, but it is becoming increasingly part of the set of strategic options that are on the table.”

“How Davis Polk Has Become Go-To Merger Counsel for Big Law” American Lawyer (December 22, 2025) (subscription required)

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