NEW YORK — February 2, 2026
Executive Summary
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has announced that investment management regulatory lawyer Aaron Schlaphoff has joined the firm as a partner in its Investment Management practice in New York. Schlaphoff returns to Davis Polk with extensive experience advising asset managers on regulatory, compliance, and transactional matters across private and registered fund structures. According to the firm, his arrival strengthens its investment management regulatory capabilities and supports continued growth across private funds, registered funds, and complex regulatory engagements. Schlaphoff joins Davis Polk from Paul, Weiss, where he served as a partner in the Investment Funds Group and led investment management regulation. His appointment reflects Davis Polk’s ongoing investment in senior talent to support asset managers navigating evolving regulatory and compliance environments.
Announcement Overview
Davis Polk announced that Aaron Schlaphoff has returned to the firm as a partner in its Investment Management practice, based in New York. The firm stated that Schlaphoff brings deep experience advising asset managers on regulatory and compliance matters under U.S. securities laws, including the Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act.
According to Davis Polk, Schlaphoff has worked with a broad range of asset managers, including some of the largest and most sophisticated firms in the market. His practice spans private equity, private credit, hedge funds, and registered fund products, as well as advisory work involving regulatory examinations, investigations, and enforcement matters.
The firm noted that Schlaphoff’s return supports the continued expansion of its Investment Management practice and enhances its ability to advise clients on complex regulatory and transactional issues across fund structures and market cycles.
Key Announcement Details
- Announcement type: Partner appointment
- Firm: Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
- Practice area: Investment Management
- Location: New York
- Partner: Aaron Schlaphoff
- Effective date: February 2026
- Previous firm: Paul, Weiss
- Regulatory focus: Investment management regulation and compliance
Strategic Context
According to Davis Polk, the investment management sector continues to face increasing regulatory complexity as asset managers operate across a growing range of private and registered fund structures. Regulatory scrutiny, evolving compliance obligations, and heightened enforcement activity have increased demand for legal advisors with deep experience navigating U.S. securities laws and regulatory processes.
The firm stated that expanding senior regulatory expertise within its Investment Management practice aligns with client needs across private funds, registered funds, and hybrid structures. Asset managers are increasingly seeking counsel that can integrate regulatory guidance with transactional and strategic advice, particularly in areas such as fund formation, regulatory examinations, and cross-border compliance.
Davis Polk indicated that Schlaphoff’s experience across regulatory advisory work, enforcement matters, and transactional support strengthens its ability to provide comprehensive counsel to asset managers operating in complex and evolving regulatory environments.
Leadership Statement
“Aaron has worked with many of the largest and most sophisticated asset managers and has deep experience advising on the full spectrum of complex regulatory issues these clients face,” said Neil Barr, Chair and Managing Partner of Davis Polk. “Our exceptional Investment Management practice continues to grow, and with Aaron, we gain additional dedicated fund regulatory capabilities. We are pleased to welcome him back to Davis Polk.”
Scope of Regulatory and Advisory Experience
According to the firm, Schlaphoff advises asset managers on a wide range of legal, regulatory, and compliance matters. His experience includes counseling clients on regulatory requirements applicable to investment advisers and investment companies, as well as assisting with ongoing compliance obligations.
Davis Polk stated that Schlaphoff has extensive knowledge of regulatory frameworks governing asset managers, including laws and regulations applicable under the Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act. His work spans advisory support for private equity funds, private credit funds, hedge funds, and registered fund products.
The firm noted that his registered fund experience includes closed-end funds, interval funds, tender offer funds, business development companies, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds. In addition, Schlaphoff regularly advises clients on regulatory examinations and investigations conducted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Experience Across Transactions and Corporate Events
According to Davis Polk, Schlaphoff’s practice also includes advising asset managers on transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and restructuring transactions involving investment management businesses.
The firm stated that his transactional experience complements his regulatory advisory work, enabling him to provide integrated counsel on transactions that raise complex regulatory considerations. Asset managers increasingly require coordinated legal advice that addresses regulatory, structural, and transactional dimensions simultaneously.
Davis Polk indicated that Schlaphoff’s ability to support clients across regulatory compliance and strategic transactions enhances the firm’s capacity to advise on sophisticated fund structures and business initiatives.
Prior Role at Paul, Weiss
Before returning to Davis Polk, Schlaphoff was a partner in the Investment Funds Group at Paul, Weiss, where he served as head of Investment Management Regulation. According to Davis Polk, his leadership role involved advising clients on regulatory strategy and compliance matters across a range of asset management platforms.
The firm noted that his experience at Paul, Weiss further expanded his exposure to complex regulatory and enforcement matters affecting asset managers, contributing to his depth of regulatory expertise.
Government and Regulatory Background
From 2014 to 2016, Schlaphoff served as an attorney fellow in the Division of Investment Management at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to the firm, during his tenure at the SEC, he contributed to a wide range of matters involving investment advisers and investment vehicles subject to SEC regulation.
Davis Polk stated that his experience within the SEC provides valuable perspective on regulatory expectations, examination processes, and enforcement considerations. Prior to joining the SEC, Schlaphoff was counsel in Davis Polk’s Investment Management practice, where he advised clients on regulatory and compliance matters.
The firm indicated that this combination of private practice and government experience strengthens Schlaphoff’s ability to advise asset managers navigating regulatory oversight.
Practice Leadership Perspective
“Aaron is a fantastic lawyer. He is uniquely positioned to cover the full scope of our practice, across private funds, secondaries, and Investment Company Act work,” said Leor Landa, head of Davis Polk’s Investment Management practice. “His extensive market knowledge will be incredibly valuable to our investment management clients and will strengthen our position as a go-to firm for counsel on the most complex fund formation, transactional and regulatory matters.”
Partner Perspective
“I am thrilled to return to Davis Polk,” Schlaphoff said. “This is an exciting time of growth for the firm’s Investment Management practice, and I look forward to working with the phenomenal team here to help our clients navigate their most critical regulatory and compliance issues.”
Recognition and Market Standing
According to Davis Polk, Schlaphoff is recognized by Chambers USA as a leader in investment funds regulation and compliance. Client feedback cited by Chambers highlights his commercial approach and regulatory experience, with clients noting his ability to distill complex regulatory issues into practical guidance.
The firm stated that such recognition reflects Schlaphoff’s standing within the investment management legal community and his experience advising clients on sophisticated regulatory matters.
Educational Background
Schlaphoff received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2004 and earned his Bachelor of Arts from Macalester College in 1998. He also served as a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Cologne.
According to Davis Polk, his academic background and international experience contribute to his understanding of complex legal and regulatory frameworks affecting global asset managers.
About Davis Polk
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is a global law firm with practices spanning corporate, litigation, regulatory, tax, and restructuring matters. The firm advises clients on complex legal and business issues across major financial centers and political capitals worldwide.
According to the firm, Davis Polk’s lawyers collaborate across offices to deliver integrated legal advice and practical solutions. The firm serves a broad range of clients, including public companies, asset managers, financial institutions, and governments.
About Davis Polk’s Investment Management Practice
Davis Polk’s Investment Management practice advises clients across the full spectrum of investment management matters, including fund formation, regulatory compliance, and transactional support. The firm works with private equity funds, private credit funds, hedge funds, registered funds, and funds of funds.
According to Davis Polk, clients benefit from the firm’s experience advising on investor relations, structuring, tax considerations, seeding arrangements, deal execution, credit arrangements, and compensation matters. The practice also maintains a longstanding secondaries capability and advises on high-profile transactions.
The firm stated that its regulatory and compliance advice is informed by extensive experience with the SEC, enabling it to provide counsel on regulatory examinations, investigations, and crisis management matters.
Media Contact
Katie Moss
Director of PR & Communications
Source Attribution
Source: Company announcement
