The firm secured top rankings in Debtwire’s Q1 2025 league tables. 

Davis Polk partner and Finance practice head Jason Kyrwood was quoted in Debtwire discussing the firm’s finance practice and its rankings in the publication’s Q1 2025 North America league tables.

Discussing the current market, Jason said, “Although optimism and reasonable activity continued into the early part of 2025, economic and political uncertainty meant that in the last few weeks in particular, activity levels have moderated, timelines have been pushed out and investor sentiment has been less predictable.”

The article noted that Davis Polk is ranked second in lead bank legal advisor rankings, and that the firm almost doubled its market share year over year, from 12.3% to 21.4%. Jason said that “the firm’s performance reflects both strategic positioning and platform diversification.”

“We’ve built a platform designed to be successful no matter what the markets are doing,” he added. “Even when volumes are low, our broad lender and sponsor relationships and ability to cover the full spectrum of credit products mean we continue to get calls.”

Jason also pointed out that what sets Davis Polk apart is its integrated finance platform, spanning syndicated lending, direct lending, investment-grade bridge loans, infrastructure finance, securitization, hybrid and structured products and restructuring, all under one roof.

“This allows the firm to stay relevant across market cycles and pivot quickly when conditions shift,” he said.

Davis Polk is ranked top five in eight of the 12 North America syndicated loan categories. Notably, the firm is ranked first in lender counsel by volume for M&A leveraged loans, buyout leveraged loans, M&A institutional loans and buyout institutional loans. The firm advised on four of the 10 largest deals in the quarter, including Silver Lake Partners’ $7.5 billion Endeavor acquisition financing.

“Simpson Thacher tops borrower rankings as Davis Polk gains market share – Q125 North America Leveraged Loans Legal Advisors Rankings,” Debtwire (April 24, 2025) (subscription required)

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