Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP - True Picture

Firm profile
Davis Polk is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Industry-leading companies and global financial institutions know they can rely on Davis Polk for their most challenging legal and business matters. The firm’s top-flight capabilities are grounded in a distinguished history of 170 years, and its global, forward-looking focus is supported by 10 offices strategically located in the world’s key financial centers and political capitals — New York, Northern California, Washington DC, São Paulo, London, Brussels, Madrid, Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo. The firm’s lawyers collaborate seamlessly across practice groups and geographies to provide clients with exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions.

Main areas of work
The London team consists of around 50 60 UK and US qualified lawyers. They represent corporate, private equity and investment banking clients on a wide range of capital markets, M&A and finance transactions, many of which are cross-border in nature. The team includes highly-rated tax, executive compensation, financial regulatory and antitrust and competition lawyers, who in addition to standalone advisory work, assist the corporate and finance teams on transactions.

Training opportunities

The two-year London training programme provides excellent training and a range of experiences to ensure a successful start to a career as an English law-qualified lawyer. Before joining, future trainees will receive training to help them complete the first and second stages of the SQE. Throughout the training programme that follows, trainees experience the corporate and finance practices, spend time in a specialist area of law (tax, executive compensation, financial regulatory or antitrust and competition), and work in the New York or Brussels office for six months. They receive tailored training, take on real responsibility and have extensive access to partners.

Vacation schemes
Davis Polk will host two groups of law students on its spring and summer vacation schemes, each for one week, from which the firm will recruit its 2027 intake of trainees. Students will have the opportunity to work on transactions for a variety of the firm’s clients and attend information sessions focused on the work of each practice area. Students will gain first-hand experience of Davis Polk’s culture through interactions with lawyers and attendance at a number of social events. Applications for the 2025 scheme will be considered from penultimate-year law undergraduates and law postgraduates wishing to join the training programme in September 2027. Applications will be accepted between 28 October 2024 and 19 January 2024. Interviews will take place in January 2025 and the firm expects to offer around 12 places per scheme.

Open Day & Law Fairs
This autumn the firm will host an open day for second-year law students on 20 November 2024 and an open day for first-year law students on 20 March 2025 (and attend a number of in person and virtual law fairs).

For details visit https://www.davispolk.com/careers/summer-programs/training-in-london

Other benefits
The firm offers trainees employment benefits including private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance, permanent health insurance, pension scheme, season ticket loan, subsidised gym membership, Employee Assistance Programme, medical cash plan, cycle to work scheme and 25 days holiday.

Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing:

Diversity of backgrounds, experiences and ideas is a core value that enriches Davis Polk – enhancing their ability to provide creative solutions tailored to their clients’ most challenging business needs. The inclusive culture and commitment to equitable systems strengthens connections to each other and to clients. This diversity is evident in the lawyers that work in our London office.

The London office promotes a collaborative and open culture, among others, running a DPWomen affinity group and participating in the City Solicitors Horizons programme run by Sponsors for Educational Opportunity London (SEO).

The firm believes that employee wellness makes a vital difference in the workplace and are committed to helping employees achieve their best possible health through programmes and services including:
• Health checks, flu vaccinations, massages, nutrition consultations and yoga sessions
• Workshops on financial and mindfulness topics
• Complimentary subscription to the Calm app
• Health club subsidy/fitness reimbursement