Davis Polk Taps Skadden Star Jason Russell to Lead Los Angeles Launch

LOS ANGELES, CA – May 01, 2026 – In a significant strategic move signaling its ambitions on the West Coast, elite law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP announced today it is opening its first office in Los Angeles. The new Southern California outpost will be anchored by Jason Russell, a high-profile litigator poached from rival Skadden, where he served as the head of its Los Angeles office.

The launch marks a major westward expansion for the New York-based firm, which aims to capture a larger share of the nation's fastest-growing major legal market. The new office is a clear play for dominance in the region's thriving entertainment, sports, and technology sectors.

“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,” said Neil Barr, Davis Polk’s Chair and Managing Partner. Barr noted that while the firm had Los Angeles “on our radar for some time,” the timing was dependent on finding the right leadership. “We found that in Jason, and I am excited to partner with him as we embark on this exciting new chapter for our firm.”

A Calculated Entry into a Red-Hot Market

Davis Polk's entry into Los Angeles is a calculated move into a legal landscape that has seen explosive growth. The region has outpaced traditional hubs like New York and Chicago, fueled by a confluence of booming private equity activity and a robust, ever-expanding entertainment industry. This dynamic has created intense demand for top-tier legal services and sparked a fierce war for talent among the nation's most prestigious law firms.

The firm is not alone in recognizing this opportunity. In recent years, a steady stream of elite firms, including Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Brown Rudnick, have either established or significantly expanded their Southern California footprints, intensifying competition. Davis Polk’s arrival, however, is particularly noteworthy, given its reputation and the caliber of its inaugural hire.

The Los Angeles office will complement the firm’s longstanding Northern California office in Menlo Park, creating a comprehensive California presence capable of servicing clients across the state’s dual economic engines of Silicon Valley and Hollywood. The firm has announced it will open its permanent office space in the strategic hub of Century City in 2027, placing it at the epicenter of the entertainment and finance industries it aims to serve.

The Power of a Star Litigator

The immediate credibility of Davis Polk's LA office rests squarely on the shoulders of Jason Russell. His departure from Skadden, where he was a partner since 2002, is a major coup. At his former firm, Russell was not only the head of the Los Angeles office but also a member of its influential policy committee, marking him as a significant figure in both local and firm-wide leadership.

Russell has built a formidable reputation as one of the country's leading commercial litigators, with deep experience in high-stakes disputes within the sports and entertainment fields. He is consistently recognized by legal publications like Chambers USA, where sources praise him as being “excellent in trial and terrific at oral arguments.” The Los Angeles Business Journal has repeatedly named him to its prestigious LA500 list of influential leaders.

His track record includes representing major clients like the NBA and Red Bull, as well as securing landmark victories in complex cases. He notably served as lead trial counsel for MGA Entertainment in the seminal copyright dispute over the Bratz doll franchise and successfully defended the National Football League in a billion-dollar action brought by the Oakland Raiders. This experience gives Davis Polk instant expertise in the very sectors it is targeting.

“Jason has a reputation for excellence, an impressive track record of success litigating high-stakes cases for a broad range of clients, and deep knowledge of the local landscape,” said Paul Spagnoletti, co-head of Davis Polk’s Civil Litigation practice. “On-the-ground capabilities in LA will further strengthen our team’s ability to deliver high-impact results for our clients.”

Building a Full-Service West Coast Hub

While Russell provides a powerful anchor in litigation, Davis Polk has made it clear that its ambitions are to build a full-service platform. The firm plans an aggressive recruitment drive over the coming months to build out its Los Angeles team with what Barr described as “exceptional talent in the region.”

Demonstrating this multi-practice approach from the outset, Russell will be joined by finance partner Rob Morrison, who joined Davis Polk in 2025 from White & Case. Morrison’s presence signals the firm's intent to establish a robust finance practice alongside its litigation capabilities, extending the reach of its globally recognized brand to California-based clients.

For Russell, the move represents a unique opportunity to build something new on an established, elite platform. “Davis Polk is on a remarkable trajectory,” Russell stated. “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.” With its strategic location, star leadership, and a clear mandate for growth, the new office is poised to quickly become a significant force in the Southern California legal community.