W. Danforth Townley

Danforth Townley is a partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, practicing in the firm's Investment Management Group. He advises clients on the formation of investment funds and related transactions, including the structuring and offering of hedge funds, private equity funds and other investment vehicles. 

Mr. Townley advises clients on the establishment and operation of hedge fund managers and private equity sponsors, including the structuring of carried interest plans and other profit sharing arrangements, as well as on mergers and acquisitions of fund managers.

In addition, Mr. Townley advises financial institutions and fund sponsors regarding regulatory compliance with, and exemptions under, the Investment Company Act and Investment Advisers Act. His work often focuses on derivative instruments and structured products in connection with both private funds and registered investment companies.

Mr. Townley joined Davis Polk in 1986 and became a partner in 1994. He is a graduate of Yale Law School (1985) and Yale College (1979). Mr. Townley clerked for the Honorable Robert W. Sweet, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, from 1985 to 1986.