Davis Polk & Wardwell, operating out of New York City, is expanding its presence in London by welcoming Luke McDougall, the co-head of Paul Hastings’ global finance practice. McDougall, previously associated with Ashurst before joining Paul Hastings in 2015, is coming on board Davis Polk as a partner in its finance practice.
In an announcement regarding the hire, Davis Polk’s managing partner, Neil Barr, cited the firm’s strategic focus on strengthening its platform in London, particularly in the domain of leveraged finance. The addition of McDougall further enhances the team’s proficiency in managing sophisticated and nuanced finance transactions for their clients, Barr remarked.
Over his tenure, McDougall has developed an astute understanding of UK and cross-border leveraged finance, corporate finance, and restructuring matters. His portfolio entails working alongside arrangers, direct lenders, equity sponsors, and corporate groups like Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and Morgan Stanley on the financing of acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, and portfolio acquisitions. McDougall led notable transactions like Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s $5.3 billion all-cash acquisition of UK-based AI cybersecurity company Darktrace plc and Golub Capital’s senior credit facility to support Thoma Bravo’s take-private acquisition of German company EQS Group.
Jason Kyrwood, co-head of Davis Polk’s finance practice, praised McDougall’s technical adeptness, client-focused attitude, and collaborative demeanor that have made him one of Europe’s leading leveraged finance practitioners. Kyrwood shared the firm’s enthusiasm in this substantial step to reinforce their London finance team.
For more details, refer to the full article published on Bloomberg Law.