Full-Time
Compliance Attorney
Updated on 9/3/2026
Davis Polk
1,001-5,000 employees
Global law firm providing legal services
Compensation Overview
$175k - $225k/yr
New York, NY, USA
Hybrid
Bachelor's
 Legal (1) |
|---|
Get referred to Davis Polk
See people who can refer or advise you
- Working knowledge of the Rules of Professional Responsibility.
- A law degree from an accredited law school and a license in good standing to practice in New York.
- A minimum of three years of experience in a large law firm.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities and multitask while meeting strict deadlines and adapting as priorities and tasks change.
- Keen attention to detail.
- Ability to exercise discretion and good judgment, including knowing when to consult more experienced colleagues.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to use deductive reasoning to draw appropriate conclusions about risk management issues and potential conflicts.
- Availability outside normal office hours and flexibility to work evenings and weekends as circumstances require.
- Assist the General Counsel’s Office with engagement letters, client outside counsel guidelines, client questionnaires, Codes of Conduct, NDAs, and other requests involving provisions that create risk for the Firm.
- Review client engagement letters, monitor compliance, maintain the engagement-letter repository, consult with the Associate General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel, liaise with responsible lawyers regarding client requests, and assist in preparing engagement letters.
- Review client Outside Counsel Guidelines, prepare draft responses, consult with the Associate General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel, liaise with responsible lawyers, monitor response status and correspondence, and maintain the repository.
- Review client due diligence and information security questionnaires to identify compliance and risk issues and prepare draft responses.
- Review Terms and Conditions associated with RFPs, Codes of Conduct, and other client requests and prepare draft responses.
- Review and mark up NDAs and advise lawyers regarding them.
- Support the Business Development Group’s compliance with applicable rules of professional responsibility in connection with external communications.
- Maintain the system for tracking and implementing client marketing restrictions, analyze and respond to inquiries regarding restrictions and consent, and develop training materials.
- Address attorney-advertising issues involving applicable rules of professional responsibility and Firm policy, monitor legal developments, review Firm communications for compliance, and develop training materials.
- Maintain compliance with rules of professional responsibility relating to attorney use of social media, update Firm policy, respond to attorney inquiries regarding social media profiles, review the Firm’s blogs and microsites, and develop training materials.
- Liaise with the Vendor Management Office in reviewing and revising vendor contracts.
- Advise Vendor Management Office contract reviewers regarding risk-creating provisions, including representations and warranties, limitations of liability, and indemnification obligations.
- Review lateral attorney candidate conflicts reports, identify and analyze potential conflicts, communicate with candidates and relevant attorneys, and draft conflicts waiver request letters for review by the Deputy General Counsel.
- Implement ethical walls as appropriate.
- Consult with the Managing Attorney regarding notifications to government agencies and courts as appropriate.
- Accurately document conflicts resolution, including waivers obtained or relied upon.
- Provide evening and weekend on-call coverage.
- Handle special projects as needed.
- Experience in a General Counsel’s office or in compliance.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is a global, elite law firm that serves clients with challenging legal and business matters across its offices in major financial centers and political capitals. More than 1,000 lawyers collaborate across practices to provide sophisticated advice and practical solutions in areas such as corporate, finance, litigation, tax, and regulatory work. The firm differentiates itself through its scale, global reach, and seamless cross-border teamwork, which lets it handle complex matters that require coordination across jurisdictions. Its goal is to deliver dependable, client-focused legal guidance and creative, practical strategies that help clients navigate complex environments.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
New York City, New York
Founded
1849
Get referred to Davis Polk
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Reuters reported six Cravath partners left in 2026, feeding Davis Polk's hiring momentum.
- Davis Polk won arbitration access in High Lonesome's Winter Storm Uri dispute in March 2024.
- The firm added Todd Kornreich and Bill Curtin, deepening private equity and M&A coverage.
What critics are saying
- Enel's August 2025 fee fight attacks Davis Polk's billing judgment and energy expertise.
- The Los Angeles buildout needs immediate revenue; Century City opens in 2027.
- Lateral hiring without integration discipline dilutes culture and partner economics by 2027.
What makes Davis Polk unique
- Neil Barr expanded Davis Polk with Jason Russell's Los Angeles office in May 2026.
- Davis Polk hired Jessica Delbaum in 2026, strengthening DOJ and FTC antitrust defense.
- Davis Polk keeps raiding Cravath in 2026, adding Amanda Hines Gold and Benjamin Joseloff.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Health Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Remote Work Options
Paid Vacation
Flexible Work Hours
Health Insurance
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support
Conference Attendance Budget
Professional Development Budget
Stock Options
Company Equity
Phone/Internet Stipend
Home Office Stipend
Parental Leave
Family Planning Benefits
Company News
Erin Piacenti, killed in Times Square stabbing, was a 'superstar' at Bank of America known for mentoring junior teammates. Alice Tecotzky Sat, September 5, 2026 at 2:43 AM PDT * Erin Piacenti, who was killed in Times Square on Monday, was known as a mentor at Bank of America. * Colleagues remembered her not only for her sharp legal mind, but love of books, Disney, and family. * Piacenti's boss remembers describing her as a 'superstar' to senior management before her death. When Erin Piacenti walked into Bank of America on Monday after five months on maternity leave, she found pink daisies sitting on her desk. Welcome signs were strung around the office she shared with a few teammates. Piacenti showed them photos of Madison, her newborn daughter, before settling in to read case law. That afternoon, Piacenti was fatally stabbed in Times Square in what police described as an unprovoked attack. She was 32. Though Piacenti only started as a vice president in the firm's Americas Business Selection and Conflicts group around 18 months ago, she'd already made an impact on the small team. Hallie Ziesmer, the head of the roughly 20-person group, described Piacenti as a "superstar" in conversations with senior management before her death, and remembers interviewing Piacenti at the end of 2024. "It was probably one of the shortest interviews, because I think within three minutes I wanted to hire her," Ziesmer, who was Piacenti's direct boss, said on Friday. "She was obviously very intelligent, very capable. She was polished but down-to-earth." Piacenti was attacked by Pamela Cisneros, 49, who also injured another victim before officers shot her and killed her at the scene. There's been a wave of support on and beyond Wall Street since the event, and a GoFundMe to help her daughter has raised more than $800,000. Many Bank of America employees have contributed, a spokesperson for the bank said. Before joining Bank of America, Piacenti worked at the law firm Davis Polk for more than three years, focusing on mergers and acquisitions for part of that time. She started her career as a buyer at Bloomingdale's and graduated magna cum laude from Fordham Law. Piacenti had a niche focus at the bank, helping investment bankers prepare disclosure documents for companies gearing up for an M&A transaction and clients navigate a thicket of regulations. A colleague remembers her as resourceful, always finding creative solutions on her own. Piacenti would mentor more junior teammates who didn't have the same legal expertise, Ziesmer said. Many of them have spent time in Ziesmer's office this week, remembering how detailed and caring Piacenti was with her help. One junior employee who sat across from Piacenti said in an email that she reviewed much of their work, and had offered personal advice on top of professional tips during their occasional coffees. "She could have, on some days, left the office to be home, but she would spend time with juniors. She wanted them to understand and share a passion for what she was doing. She really enjoyed it," Ziesmer said. Piacenti would often talk about visiting her four younger siblings, or books, or Disney. When the team attended a cooking class last year, the same colleague who admired Piacenti's resourcefulness said she made the best dish (and helped save them, an inadequate chef). When another colleague ran into her on the Q train one morning, she was thrilled to introduce them to her husband, Frank, whom she talked about all the time. Around the holidays, Piacenti brought dozens of cookies into the office after she and Frank hosted the family's Christmas cookie party at their new home in New Jersey. Ziesmer says the team now plans to bring in cookies every year.
Davis Polk & Wardwell has hired Todd B. Kornreich as a partner in its Mergers & Acquisitions practice in New York. Kornreich joins from Ropes & Gray, where he was a partner in the private equity transactions group and co-lead of the transportation and logistics sector. Kornreich advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on domestic and cross-border transactions, including leveraged buyouts, take-private acquisitions, corporate carve-outs, divestitures and strategic investments. He has particular expertise in the industrials and manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and healthcare services and technology sectors. Kornreich received his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 2012 and his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008.
Davis Polk welcomes private equity M&A Partner Todd B. Kornreich in New York. NEW YORK-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Davis Polk today announced that private equity M&A lawyer Todd B. Kornreich has joined the firm as a partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions practice in New York. "Todd has deep experience advising sophisticated private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on their most significant M&A transactions," said Neil Barr, Davis Polk's Chair and Managing Partner. "Todd is an excellent addition to our preeminent M&A team, and his arrival further strengthens Davis Polk's position as a go-to firm for private equity clients seeking elite counsel across the life cycle of their transactions. We are pleased to welcome him to the firm." Mr. Kornreich advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on domestic and cross-border transactions, including leveraged buyouts, take-private acquisitions, corporate carve-outs, divestitures and strategic investments. He has particular depth in the industrials and manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and healthcare services and technology sectors. Mr. Kornreich joins Davis Polk from Ropes & Gray, where he was a partner in the private equity transactions group and co-lead of the transportation and logistics sector. "Todd has an impressive understanding of both the global deal landscape and the needs and issues unique to sponsors, and he has a strong track record of successfully executing complex and high-stakes deals for major PE clients," said Oliver Smith, head of Davis Polk's Mergers & Acquisitions practice. "Todd is highly ambitious and known for his extraordinary commitment to clients, and we are thrilled to welcome him as we continue to build out our market-leading private equity platform." Mr. Kornreich said, "Davis Polk has an unmatched reputation for excellence - not only in terms of the quality of its work, but also the caliber of its team, its focus on client service and its collaborative culture. I am excited to join the firm's distinguished M&A team and look forward to leveraging my experience to serve our private equity clients on their most consequential transactions." Mr. Kornreich received his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 2012 and his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. About Davis Polk. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (including its associated entities) is an elite global law firm with world-class practices across the board. Clients know they can rely on Business Wire, Inc. for their most challenging legal and business matters. From offices in the world's key financial centers and political capitals, its more than 1,000 lawyers collaborate seamlessly to deliver exceptional service, sophisticated advice and creative, practical solutions. Visit davispolk.com. About Davis Polk's Mergers & Acquisitions practice. Clients engage Davis Polk because of its long history of legal excellence, innovation and creative problem-solving. Business Wire, Inc. provide effective and efficient advice through the lens of the commercial goals of its clients, who rely on its sophisticated judgment and unsurpassed client service in all types of M&A transactions. In serving the private equity sector, few firms can match its combination of technical capabilities, market knowledge, vigorous client coverage and support for its sponsor clients' legal, regulatory and risk needs. Above all, its clients engage Business Wire, Inc. because of its track record of getting deals done.
Davis Polk's $3.3 million fee fight gets ugly as former client hits back. A dispute over $3.3 million in unpaid legal bills has escalated into public acrimony for Davis Polk & Wardwell, with a former corporate client questioning the firm's competence and industry expertise. Davis Polk sued Enel North America and two affiliated entities in New York state court on August 11, seeking roughly $3.3 million in outstanding legal fees plus interest. According to the complaint, the sum covers more than 2,000 hours of legal representation for Enel subsidiary High Lonesome Wind Power in high-stakes litigation involving Allianz Risk Transfer. Enel has responded aggressively. In statements reported by legal media, an Enel North America spokesperson characterized Davis Polk's claims as "self-serving," accusing the Wall Street firm of inflating invoices, performing unnecessary work, and lacking specialized energy-sector experience. The company confirmed it intends to file counterclaims. The $125 million Storm. The underlying conflict dates back to February 2021, when Winter Storm Uri paralyzed the Texas energy grid. High Lonesome, which operates a major West Texas wind farm, had entered into a weather-risk derivative contract with an Allianz affiliate. Following the freeze, calculation mechanisms under the agreement generated an alleged liability exceeding $125 million against High Lonesome. Allianz filed suit in the Southern District of New York in 2022. Davis Polk successfully argued on High Lonesome's behalf that the dispute belonged in arbitration, securing a favorable ruling from U.S. District Judge Gregory Woods in March 2024. Despite the win, relations soured. Davis Polk alleged that Enel ceased paying invoices in late 2024 while work continued, accumulating millions in unpaid balances by mid-2025. Davis Polk subsequently withdrew from the matter, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher took over representation for High Lonesome in the ongoing $200 million dispute. Litigating the bill. To defend against Davis Polk's claim, Enel retained New York litigation boutique Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, a firm with some high profile experience in fee battles, having previously sued former clients Rudy Giuliani and Steve Bannon over unpaid invoices. While Davis Polk frames the matter as a simple breach-of-contract collection action for work performed without contemporaneous objection, Enel's counterclaims threaten to trigger invasive discovery. For BigLaw firms, public fee suits carry inherent reputational exposure: they open the door to line-by-line judicial scrutiny of partner staffing, billing judgment, internal communications, and hourly value delivery. LawFuel Contributors are verified by LawFuel's editors and may be contacted through the website or via our email.
Moore & Van Allen to debut in DC with hires from Seyfarth, Haynes & Boone. Elite Southeast firm targets government contracts work as it opens fifth office 20 August 2026 Moore & Van Allen (MVA) is set to open an office in Washington DC with hires from Seyfarth Shaw and Haynes & Boone, expanding its government contracts and national security capabilities as it continues to grow beyond its Carolinas base. The office - set to open at the beginning of October - will be the firm's fifth and second outside the Carolinas after its launch in Atlanta earlier this year. Its founding team will include new arrival Erica Bakies, previously a partner at Seyfarth Shaw, and Tara Hopkins, who joined in April as head of government contracts having been a counsel at Haynes & Boone, alongside an associate. In line with the firm's other locations, it will not have an office managing partner. MVA said the DC team would be expected to work closely with lawyers across the firm to provide "seamless, interdisciplinary guidance to clients doing business with the government". Advertisement With more than 400 lawyers MVA is one of the largest law firms in the Southeast and ranks among its elite. The firm counsels 68 the Fortune 500, among them major corporations based in its hometown of Charlotte such as Bank of America. Rob Rust, co-head of MVA's corporate group, said government contracts considerations were often implicated across transactions, disputes and day-to-day operations for its clients. "With Tara and Erica joining the MVA platform and establishing a permanent physical presence in the DC market, our clients have access to a team that can directly service government contracting matters alongside our broader corporate, transactional and regulatory capabilities," Rust added. Bakies advises clients in transactions involving review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and foreign ownership or control mitigation enforced by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. She also advises on complex compliance matters and conducts internal investigations in the areas of government contracts, export controls and economic sanctions. LAW OVER BORDERS COMPARATIVE GUIDES Global M&A Law Guide Mergers and acquisitions remain a central mechanism through which companies pursue growth, transformation and competitive advantage... | 3mos. Meanwhile Hopkins advises companies doing business with the federal government on procurement matters including pre-award planning, drafting and negotiation of transaction documents, compliance and operational risk, investigations and disputes. Thomas Mitchell, MVA's chair and managing partner, noted the firm had served clients in DC for a number of years. "Establishing a dedicated office allows us to be closer to our clients, the agencies and stakeholders they interact with, and the opportunities emerging in this market," he added. Other law firms making moves in DC recently include King & Spalding, which brought on arbitration partners Rachael Kent and Danielle Morris in the city in June as part of a five-partner hire across the US and UK from WilmerHale. The same month Davis Polk hired legacy Hogan Lovells' global head of M&A, Bill Curtin, in DC just before its merger with Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft.