10 Davis Polk M&A partners
Head of West Coast M&A, Partner and Global Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions and Partner are among the current titles held by these Davis Polk M&A partners in US offices. A reader can learn how M&A partners work at Davis Polk from people who have held the role.
Professionals to explore
Cheryl Chan
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Cheryl Chan has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since January 2020, based in New York, and describes being a partner in the firm's Corporate Department practicing in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group. Cheryl Chan was an Associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP from 2012 to 2020 and an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Education from 2005 to 2008 and at the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports from 2008 to 2009.
James Dougherty
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
James Dougherty has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since February 2023, based in New York, and describes being a partner in the firm's Corporate Department and a member of its Mergers & Acquisitions Group. James Dougherty was a Partner at Jones Day from 2004 to 2023 and an Attorney at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP from 1998 to 2004.
Lee Parnes
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Lee Parnes has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since August 2025, based in New York, and the profile headline reads Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Lee Parnes was a Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP from 2024 to 2025 and an Associate there from 2015 to 2023.
Michael Diz
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Michael Diz has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since March 2025, based in Redwood City, and describes advising public and private companies, private equity firms and special committees on mergers and acquisitions, equity investments and spinoffs. Michael Diz was Partner and Co-Chair of M&A at Debevoise & Plimpton from 2019 to 2025 and a Partner there from 2012.
Michael Senders
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Michael Senders has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since July 2024, based in Brooklyn, New York, and the profile headline reads Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Davis Polk & Wardwell. Michael Senders was Counsel at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP from 2023 to 2024 and an Associate there from 2016 to 2023.
Oliver Smith
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Oliver Smith has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since January 2012, based in the New York City area, and the profile headline reads Partner and Global Co-Head, Mergers & Acquisitions. Oliver Smith describes being a member of the firm's Mergers and Acquisitions and Private Equity Groups and was an Associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP from 2004 to 2012.
Paul Scrivano
LinkedInExperience: Head of West Coast M&A · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Paul Scrivano has been Head of West Coast M&A at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since February 2022, based in Menlo Park. Paul Scrivano was Partner and Global Head of M&A at Ropes & Gray LLP from 2017 to 2022, Partner and Head of Global M&A and Private Equity Practice at O'Melveny & Myers LLP from 2005 to 2017 and a Partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP from 2002 to 2005.
Shanu Bajaj
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Shanu Bajaj has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since July 2023, based in New York, and the profile headline reads Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Shanu Bajaj was Counsel at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP from 2022 to 2023 and an Associate there from 2015 to 2022.
Steve Salmon
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Steve Salmon has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since July 2015, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and describes being a corporate partner in the Northern California office who advises on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and divestitures. Steve Salmon was an Associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP from 2006 to 2015.
William Chudd
LinkedInExperience: Partner · Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
William Chudd has been a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP since July 2011, based in the New York City area, and describes being a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions team and co-head of the firm's interdisciplinary Private Equity practice, spanning public and private M&A. William Chudd was an Associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP from 2002 to 2011.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's practice focus, such as public company mergers, private equity transactions or cross-border deals, to the question you want to explore. Weigh how long each person has been a partner and which office they work from, since that shapes the range of matters they have seen.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What does a typical week look like for you as an M&A partner?
- 02How has your own practice changed since you became a partner?
- 03What do you think people outside the field most often misunderstand about how a transaction gets done?
Reaching Davis Polk M&A partners
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About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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