Weil Gotshal Confirms Active Merger Talks as Leadership Seeks Stability Amid Partner Exodus

Key points

• Weil Gotshal & Manges leadership has informed top partners that the firm is in discussions to secure a merger with another law firm.
• The firm is negotiating a memorandum of understanding for the deal, with a broader announcement potentially occurring within the current week.
• The merger talks are driven by a significant wave of partner departures, particularly from the corporate department, which has fueled speculation about the firm's future.
• Key departures include corporate chair Michael Aiello to Cravath Swaine & Moore and M&A leader David Avery-Gee to Sullivan & Cromwell.
• The firm has attempted to counter losses by rehiring former partners, including private equity veteran Peter Feist from Cravath.

Background

Weil Gotshal & Manges has faced a record exodus of partners since January 2026, with nearly 40 departures reported by late September. The loss of corporate chair Michael Aiello and his team to Cravath Swaine & Moore in September marked a critical blow to the firm's M&A practice. Internal sources previously indicated that Aiello's exit brought relief rather than mourning, as his resistance to growth had stalled expansion into private equity. The firm has since pivoted under new leadership, including executive partner Barry Wolf and incoming chair Ramona Nee, while aggressively recruiting 'boomerang' laterals to rebuild its ranks.

Why it matters

The merger talks signal a strategic shift for Weil Gotshal & Manges as it attempts to reverse a trend of losing top-tier talent to competitors like Cravath and Paul, Weiss. Consolidating with another firm could provide the scale and stability needed to retain remaining partners and compete in key financial metrics. However, the delicate nature of merger negotiations, compounded by ongoing departures, introduces significant risk to the firm's long-term viability and market position.

What to watch

A broader announcement regarding the merger could be made as early as this week, though sources caution that the talks may not result in a deal. The firm is also preparing for the exit of former corporate co-managing partner Michael Hickey, who is expected to join Sullivan & Cromwell. Other practice group leaders are reportedly in discussions with rival firms, indicating continued instability.