Davis Polk announced today that Raul Yanes, formerly the Head of Non-Financial Risk at Morgan Stanley and a former senior White House official, will rejoin the firm next month as a partner in the White Collar Defense & Investigations practice in New York.

Mr. Yanes, who will become Chair of Davis Polk’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, has served in senior positions at Morgan Stanley since 2017, when he joined the bank as Chief Compliance Officer. His role was subsequently expanded to include responsibility for Morgan Stanley’s Global Financial Crimes and Operational Risk Departments, and he was appointed to the newly created role of Head of Non-Financial Risk. In that position, Mr. Yanes led a team of approximately 1800 risk management professionals throughout the world. Mr. Yanes was a member of the Management Committee since joining Morgan Stanley and in 2022 joined the bank’s Operating Committee, its senior-most executive body.

“Raul is an exceptional litigator and colleague, and the unique perspective he has from his time in senior roles in both the private sector and government is a significant asset to our clients,” said Neil Barr, Davis Polk’s Managing Partner. “I am thrilled to welcome him back to the firm.”

Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2017, Mr. Yanes was a partner in and head of Davis Polk’s White Collar practice. He has represented clients in government investigations, including by the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Congress, and has conducted numerous internal investigations. Mr. Yanes has significant experience handling matters involving multiple non-U.S. jurisdictions, with a particular emphasis on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He also previously led Davis Polk’s Washington DC office.

From 2003 to 2009, Mr. Yanes served in a variety of senior positions in the Bush Administration. In 2003, he was named Associate Counsel to the President. In 2005, he became Senior Counsel to the Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice and later served as General Counsel in the Office of Management and Budget. In 2006, President Bush named Mr. Yanes Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary. In this position, he worked closely with the President, overseeing the review of virtually every document that was provided to the President by his senior staff, including the daily briefing book, national security directives, executive orders, policy memoranda and draft speeches. He rejoined Davis Polk in 2009 as a partner in Washington DC.

Mr. Yanes began his legal career with Davis Polk, joining the firm as a litigation associate in 1993. He was elected partner in 1999.

“Raul has an impeccable reputation in the white collar community as well as the financial services sector, and his addition will further strengthen our outstanding team,” said Martine Beamon, co-head of Davis Polk’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice. “We are thrilled to have him back.”

Mr. Yanes said, “Davis Polk is an extraordinary firm. I am excited to return home and collaborate with my phenomenal colleagues on the white collar team as we help our clients navigate their most critical matters.”

Mr. Yanes earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his B.A. from Dartmouth College.

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