Sarah Davis is practice innovation counsel in Ropes & Gray’s private capital transactions group. In this role, in collaboration with the firm’s dedicated practice technology and innovation teams, Sarah oversees the development of a comprehensive AI strategy that aligns with the legal objectives and needs of the firm’s sponsor clients. She counsels sponsors on developing their own AI strategies and advises deal teams on applying AI tools throughout the transaction lifecycle—from diligence through execution—drawing on her M&A experience to ensure innovation is grounded in real-world practice.
Sarah brings to this role deep experience as an M&A attorney across a broad range of industries and transaction types, both in private practice and as in-house counsel. Sarah served as M&A counsel at Ropes & Gray from 2021 to 2025, advising private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and strategic clients on a wide range of transactional matters. She previously spent five years as vice president and senior counsel at Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (NYSE: AMG), a global asset management company, where she was a member of the New Investments team.
Sarah started her career in the New York office of another international law firm.
Her M&A work at Ropes & Gray earned her recognition as a “Dealmaker of the Year” by The American Lawyer in 2022 and one of the 500 Leading Dealmakers in America by Lawdragon (2022–2026).
Experience
- Represented VSS Capital Partners in the sale of a minority stake to Pinnacle Investment Management Group.
- Represented Partners Capital in the sale of a minority stake to General Atlantic.
- Represented Gridiron Capital in the sale of a minority stake to RidgeLake Partners.
- Represented Tekla Capital Management in the sale of its advisory business to abrdn Inc.
- Represented The Vistria Group in the sale of a minority stake to Hunter Point Capital and ADQ.
- Represented iCapital Network in its acquisition of Axio Financial, a provider of financial services specializing in structured notes.
- Represented Altimeter Growth Corp. in its $40 billion business combination with Grab Holdings (and related $4 billion PIPE).
- Represented a private equity firm in its minority investment in a wealth management business.