Weil Closure: Why Attorneys Shouldn't Put Their Lateral Search on Hold
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Since Weil announced its closure on October 28, 2026, we've been hearing from attorneys who are hesitant to make a lateral move because of additional competition from Weil attorneys entering the market.
However, many Weil attorneys have already secured positions at other firms, while others are transitioning with their practice groups or are actively in talks to join firms. The majority of Weil attorneys were based in New York, so the impact on lateral hiring is not evenly distributed across the firm's office locations.
Weil Attorneys Have Accepted Offers
Weil's closure followed months of partner departures and unsuccessful merger discussions. Michael Aiello and five other partners moved to Cravath before the announcement, while other Weil partners secured positions at Paul, Weiss, Skadden, Simpson Thacher, Sullivan & Cromwell, and Sidley Austin.
Since the closure announcement, Goodwin has hired Weil real estate partner Tom Henry, and Quinn Emanuel has hired litigation partner Adam Fee. Simpson Thacher has also added more than a dozen Weil lawyers, while Paul, Weiss has hired Weil associates.
On November 6th, Kirkland & Ellis confirmed the hire of a 40-lawyer Weil team led by private equity partner Ramona Nee. The group includes private equity, M&A, and debt finance lawyers, with the transition expected in January.
Gibson Dunn has also been reported to be negotiating the hire of up to 120 Weil lawyers across the U.S. and London, including more than 20 partners and members of the firm's private funds practice.
Weil Attorneys Concentrated in New York
Nearly two-thirds of Weil's U.S. attorneys were based in New York, with the remainder spread across offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Boston, Washington, D.C., Miami, Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Because Weil's attorneys were concentrated in New York, its closure does not create the same level of additional competition for lateral positions in the firm's other markets.
Don't Put Your Lateral Search on Hold
Weil's closure doesn't mean hundreds of its associates are all competing for the same openings. Many associates have already secured positions, while others may be transitioning with their practice groups. Continue exploring your lateral options rather than postponing your search because of Weil's closure.
If you've been considering a lateral move, reach out for a confidential conversation here.
