Law firm Davis Polk today hired leveraged finance practitioner Luke McDougall as a partner in the firm’s finance practice based in London.

“I am thrilled to welcome Luke to Davis Polk,” Neil Barr, Davis Polk’s Managing Partner, said. “Investing in our platform in London, and in particular continuing to grow our leveraged finance capability there, is a strategic priority for our firm. A partner of Luke’s caliber delivers important bench strength to our team, further enhancing our ability to service our clients on their most sophisticated and complex finance transactions. He will be a tremendous asset to our bank, sponsor and direct lending clients.”

McDougall focuses his practice on UK and cross-border leveraged finance, corporate finance and restructuring matters. He acts on behalf of arrangers, direct lenders, equity sponsors and corporate groups on the financing of acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and portfolio acquisitions, as well as on general corporate financing and on the restructuring of leveraged groups.

Prior to joining Davis Polk, McDougall was a partner in, and co-head of, the global finance practice at Paul Hastings. McDougall is ranked in the banking and finance category by Chambers Global, Europe and UK, and in acquisition finance by the Legal 500 UK, which also named him “Finance Lawyer of the Year” for London in 2020.

“Luke is highly regarded for being technically talented and extremely collaborative and client-focused; he is one of the leading leveraged finance practitioners in Europe,” Jason Kyrwood, co-head of Davis Polk’s Finance practice, said. “Bringing him on board is an exciting and significant step in the build-out of our London finance team.”

“I have known Luke for many years. He is a fantastic lawyer with a deep commitment to his clients, and I am excited to partner with him as we deepen our UK leveraged finance capabilities,” Nick Benham, a partner in Davis Polk’s finance practice in London, said.

“Davis Polk is an exceptional firm with an elite finance team,” McDougall said. “Having the opportunity to join such a talented and collaborative group and help execute on the firm’s plan to grow the London finance practice is very exciting.”