Introduction
One of the oldest New York-based firms, with premier offices in London, Madrid, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, and São Paulo, Davis Polk is renowned for its offerings across its corporate, litigation, and tax departments. The firm prides itself on a collegial environment where associates are given the resources and support to learn and excel. Central staffing and lockstep compensation encourage associates to focus on client service and career development over numerical targets.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
1K - 1.5K
No. of Partners Named (2024)
6
Featured Rankings
Vault Law 100
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
167 total (150 2Ls; 17 1Ls)
Base Salary
1st year: $225,000
Vault Verdict
In the very large pond that is BigLaw, Davis Polk is a very big fish, and for this firm, the term “big” refers to its presence and status. As elites among elites, associates at Davis Polk are impressed by the clients and describe the work as “the most interesting and prominent” out there. The hiring process is, as one might expect, extremely competitive. Top schools and grades are the baseline, but personality and a demonstrated interest in working hard on a team give candidates the edge and get them in the door. Working at the highest level is demanding, and Davis Polk associates work long hours on challenging matters, but the level of substantive experience and market-leading compensation are attractive trade-offs. The firm doesn’t have a “work hard, play hard” culture or a repu...
About the Firm
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP boasts one of the nation’s best and most comprehensive corporate departments, with impressive teams in capital markets, M&A, executive compensation, finance, financial institutions, restructuring, tax, and tech transactions. Its lauded litigation practice includes top-notch antitrust, civil litigation, intellectual property, and white collar criminal defense practices.
Historical Connections
Davis Polk was founded by Francis Bangs in 1849, making it one of the oldest law firms in the United States. Bangs’ successor, Francis Stetson, was quick to recognize the growing importance of corporate work. In 1887, banker and industrialist John Pierpont Morgan selected Stetson as his chief counsel; the firm helped Morgan restructure the Pennsylvania Rail...
2025 Vault Rankings
#7
Vault Law 100
#1
Best Law Firms for Securities/Capital Markets
#2
#3
Best Law Firms in New York
- “Everyone is very polite and professional.”
- “The lawyers at Davis Polk are generally very kind. You tend to socialize with people you work with or otherwise know (whether from law school or because you sit near them in the office).”
- “Everyone is friendly and helpful, but there is little expectation to socialize outside of work on a regular basis. It's the kind of place where people stop and chat in the hallways but then go home to their families at the end of the day.”
- “Very professional culture. Everybody is friendly and respectful. Firm prides itself on working together to solve problems instead of blaming each other for problems. There are some social activities (both professional dinners and purely social events); however, they are not frequent and not a focus of the firm. The firm very much separates work and personal life, which I enjoy.”
Davis Polk provides the experience and environment that help you develop into an exceptional lawyer, no matter where your career takes you. From your first day, you’ll be involved in complex and meaningful matters, working side by side with some of the best lawyers in the world.
Who We Are
Davis Polk is one of the world’s most admired firms, with top-tier clients and an enviable reputation.
We are proud of our collaborative, close-knit culture. You’ll receive mentoring and training to develop your skills in an atmosphere of respect and support. This is a place of remarkable, accomplished people who work together seamlessly to achieve the best results for our clients.
The Firm’s approximately 1,000 lawyers are spread across our offices in New York, Northern California, Washington DC, São Paulo, London, Paris, Madrid, Hong Kong, Beijing and Tokyo. Our presence in major financial centers around the world allows us to connect with our international client base on matters spanning borders, languages, cultures and jurisdictions
Diversity at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
"Davis Polk is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusion at our firm and in the legal profession. Our culture of inclusiveness and respect is integral to our values and inherent in how we relate to our clients and each other. We believe that the diverse perspectives of our lawyers enhance our ability to provide creative solutions tailored to our clients' most challenging business needs. We understand the urgency of improving diversity and inclusion in the legal industry as a whole and within our firm, and are focused..."
Read the Diversity Report
- “Candidates need to have very good (although not necessarily perfect) grades and a good resume, but the job is won through personality and culture fit. There aren't really feeder schools in my experience. The firm seems to be looking for top candidates who are also enthusiastic about the work and working hard.”
- “The firm is certainly looking for law students who would be good junior associates, which requires diligence, a commitment to hard work, as well as the ability to work well with others under difficult scenarios.”
- “The firm tends to hire individuals who are highly capable, interested in the work, and who exhibit strong interpersonal skills that would allow them to flourish at the firm, not only among our colleagues but also with respect to client interaction.”
- “Beyond good grades (though there's some leeway there—don't count yourself out of the game before you play!) and credentials such as law review, the firm values those with a demonstrated interest or propensity toward community engagement, kindness, and good judgment.”
Perks & Benefits
