2025 Ones To Watch - Industry Leaders: R. Davis Powell, King & Spalding

“Dave Powell is one of the most talented rising stars in our field, and he represents a number of key investors on deals that have made a significant impact on the industry, across the country and beyond. Dave has a knack for providing thoughtful and strategic counsel to his clients, balancing key legal issues with business decisions that matter to his clients. In addition, his dedication to raising the bar internally – by mentoring associates and helping with internal initiatives from training to business development, are core to our practice group and others look to him as a leading example of someone who contributes meaningfully to the firm and our practice.” - Jennifer Morgan, Real Estate & Funds Practice Group Leader and Partner, King & Spalding. 

Recent goal and impact:

The global aspects of our real estate practice are especially enjoyable for me. We were recently engaged by a great client on a joint venture hospitality transaction involving an asset in the Caribbean. We put an excellent cross-border team together that quickly gained the trust of the client and the counterparties. It’s meaningful to find those opportunities because there are not many firms with the multidisciplinary expertise to effectively execute transactions of this type. Working together on matters like this across time zones increases the bonds among our partners as well.

Sharing knowledge and expertise:

That’s honestly one of the most rewarding aspects of this career. You have to like learning to do this, and we’re able to recruit elite law school students who share this desire in their DNA. I work with our lawyers daily on transactions to build skills in the way that we approach the practice. I am also involved in the associate training programs where we teach a curriculum to get juniors up the curve while also presenting advanced topics for senior lawyers. Finally, I am an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School teaching real estate transactions to business school students.

Best books, podcasts, or apps for aspiring leaders:

How to Know a Person, Good to Great, and lots of history books.

Best advice for new leaders:

Find and learn from great leaders, and take what works for you to create your own authentic style.

Who was/is your role model and/or leadership mentor?

I’ve had many strong mentors at King & Spalding, particularly practice group leaders.