Davis Polk partners and Mergers & Acquisitions practice co-heads Will Aaronson and Oliver Smith and partner James Dougherty were named to Crain’s New York Business’ 2025 “Notable M&A Dealmakers” list.  Honorees are mergers & acquisitions professionals at the forefront of New York’s dealmaking.

Will was recognized for his work advising on public and private M&A transactions, joint ventures and other corporate partnering arrangements as well as advising on corporate governance matters and shareholder activism. In particular, Will’s work on Novo Nordisk’s $11 billion acquisition of Catalent sites, Livent’s $10.6 billion merger of equals with Allkem, Arcadium Lithium’s $6.7 billion acquisition by Rio Tinto and Sitio Royalties’ $4.8 billion all-stock merger with Brigham Minerals were highlighted. He also serves as a mentor to several young lawyers at Davis Polk.

Oliver was recognized for maintaining a wide-ranging practice encompassing U.S. and cross-border M&A, joint ventures and restructuring transactions. The publication highlighted his work on ExxonMobil acquisitions totaling $64.4 billion, including the $59.5 billion acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources, which was the largest transaction globally in 2023, and the largest by ExxonMobil since its 1999 acquisition of Mobil. Oliver also serves as a mentor to young lawyers both formally and informally in the M&A group.

James was recognized for his work advising clients on a wide range of transactional matters, including industry-changing combinations, takeover defense, leveraged buyouts, proxy contests, shareholder activism and corporate governance, such as Summit Materials on its $11.5 billion acquisition by Quikrete Holdings, Cleveland-Cliffs on matters exceeding $10 billion in value, including the $2.5 billion acquisition of Stelco Holdings, and Dollar Tree on its $1 billion divestiture of Family Dollar. James’ role as a trustee for Sacred Heart Greenwich was also highlighted.

The 2025 “Notable M&A Dealmakers” were announced on August 11, 2025.

“2025 Notable M&A Dealmakers,” Crain’s New York Business (August 11, 2025) (subscription required)

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