Davis Polk continues to build English-law capability with Herbies hire

Corporate partner Will Pearce has resigned from Herbert Smith Freehills and is set to join Davis Polk’s burgeoning English-law practice in London. No date has been given for Pearce’s departure. Pearce specialises in advising on takeovers, M&A and restructuring deals for listed companies. He acted for Temenos on its proposed $3.3bn merger with Mysis, and the sponsors and underwriters on Rio Tinto’s $15.2bn rights issues.

Davis Polk launched its English-law practice in January (6 January 2012) when it hired corporate partner Simon Witty from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Before then Davis Polk relied on best-friends relationships with UK firms, in particular Slaughter and May, for English-law advice.

Davis Polk then followed that up with a second hire, again from Freshfields, taking tax partner Jonathan Cooklin (13 April 2012).

Davis Polk could not be reached for comment.