Davis Polk has announced the opening of a Los Angeles office (its first in Southern California) led by prominent litigator Jason Russell, who joins the firm as a partner in the Civil Litigation practice. The office will also be home to partner Rob Morrison, who joined Davis Polk in 2025 to extend the firm’s global finance practice to California. Permanent office space in Century City is expected to officially open in 2027, with further team buildout planned in the months ahead.
Russell brings to Davis Polk a distinguished career representing clients in complex commercial litigation across federal and state courts throughout the country, as well as in international forums. He has earned particular recognition for his work in high-profile sports and entertainment disputes, as well as complex class actions, and is celebrated for his capabilities across jury trials, appellate arguments, mediation, and arbitration. He joins from Skadden, where he served as a partner in the Complex Litigation and Trials practice since 2002, sat on the Policy Committee, and led the Los Angeles office.
The Los Angeles market presents what the firm describes as attractive opportunities, given the city’s prominence as a hub for private equity sponsors and for the entertainment, sports, and technology sectors. Davis Polk indicated it had been monitoring the California market for some time but had intentionally waited for the right leadership before establishing a formal presence — a threshold it believes has now been met with Russell’s arrival.
Russell’s credentials are widely recognized in the legal industry. Benchmark Litigation and Chambers USA have both highlighted his courtroom skill, with sources describing him as strong in trial and appellate settings and attentive to both the legal nuances and strategic dimensions of complex matters. He earned his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law in 1993 and subsequently clerked for Judge Frank X. Altimari of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
KEY QUOTES:
“Jason is an exceptional litigator, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Davis Polk. As a major hub for sponsors and for the entertainment, sports and technology sectors, the Los Angeles market presents a number of attractive opportunities for us to better serve clients and to augment our team with the exceptional talent in the region.”
Neil Barr, Chair and Managing Partner, Davis Polk
“Davis Polk is on a remarkable trajectory. I am grateful for the opportunity to join the firm’s unmatched platform and to lead the Los Angeles office as we continue to grow our California footprint. I look forward to working alongside my distinguished new colleagues to support clients facing complex commercial litigation both in California and in courts across the country.”
Jason Russell, Partner, Davis Polk
