- U.S. & Americas
- Lateral moves
STANDFIRST: With the Willkie merger off, Simpson Thacher and Paul Weiss are both seeking Weil partners, starting with its restructuring group.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Paul Weiss are seeking partners from Weil, Gotshal & Manges after Weil's merger talks with Willkie Farr & Gallagher ended this week, The American Lawyer reported. Simpson Thacher is focused on Weil's Boston office and bankruptcy practice. Paul Weiss is targeting the same bankruptcy group.
The two firms signed a non-disclosure agreement before ending discussions on Friday 23 October, according to Bloomberg Law. The combination would have produced more than $4 billion in annual revenue and ranked among the five largest U.S.-based firms. Weil generated $2.077 billion in revenue in the prior year and $5.593 million in profits per partner. On 20 October, it told partners that it was in merger talks without naming the other firm. Willkie partners were notified within 24 hours of the breakdown, The American Lawyer reported.
Simpson Thacher and Paul Weiss target Weil's bankruptcy and Boston partners
Both firms are focusing on restructuring. The American Lawyer describes the practice as Weil's prime asset because of its reputation in the market and the current demand for restructuring work. Weil's bankruptcy group is one of the most established in the market, making it an early target when firms recruit from the partnership.
Securities litigation partner Caroline Zalka, a member of Weil's management committee, is moving to Paul Weiss, Legal Business reported. Her move extends beyond restructuring and into Weil's governance ranks.
Paul Weiss and Simpson Thacher each took Weil teams earlier in 2026
Neither firm is new to Weil's partners. Paul Weiss added a six-lawyer private equity group from Weil in August 2026, led by PE co-head Christopher Machera, along with M&A partner Timothy Burns, tax partner Noah Beck and executive-compensation partner Amanda Rotkel (Paul Weiss). Simpson Thacher took seven partners for its London debt finance and funds practice, including Tom Richards, Alex Eagle, Patrick Brendon, Gilles Teerlinck, funds partners Simon Saitowitz and Charles Cooper-Isow, and infrastructure M&A partner Murray Cox (Legal Business).
The two firms already know Weil's practices and partners. They are now returning for more, this time targeting bankruptcy rather than private equity or debt finance.
At least 40 Weil partner departures in 2026, 17 from London
The recruiting interest follows a year of departures. At least 40 partners have left or announced departures from Weil in 2026, including 17 from the London office since January. The firm said those departures were "anticipated for some time and already well understood in the market," Legal Business reported.
The moves cover several practices and offices. Corporate chair Michael Aiello left in September 2026 for Cravath as part of a six-partner M&A team. London M&A leader David Avery-Gee, corporate partner Sarah Flaherty and capital markets partner Michael Hickey moved to Sullivan & Cromwell (Legal Business). Management committee members Drew Tulumello and Chantale Fiebig are heading to Davis Polk (The American Lawyer), and corporate co-managing partner Lyuba Goltser is moving to Sidley Austin (Bloomberg Law).
With the merger shelved, rivals are treating Weil as a recruiting pool. The interest was described to The American Lawyer as "predatory" and "opportunistic." Analysts told Bloomberg Law that continued senior departures risk a "talent run," in which partners leave because they fear being left behind rather than because they want better pay. Law professor David McGowan described the dynamic as a "run on the bank."
The sequence is clear. A merger that would have created a top-five U.S. firm ended after a year in which more than 40 partners left. The two firms now recruiting from Weil's bankruptcy group are the same two that hired its private equity and debt finance partners earlier in 2026.
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