Weil Partners Frame Aiello’s Exit as Relief, Not Loss, as Firm Pivots Under New Leadership

Key points

• Weil partners describe Aiello’s exit as a relief, citing his role as a roadblock to recruiting and growth initiatives, including the departure of deputy Sachin Kohli to Wilson Sonsini after Aiello called the move 'disloyal.'
• Aiello, earning over $20 million annually, was viewed as the firm’s most powerful partner but clashed with leadership over the expansion of private equity and other non-M&A practices.
• Incoming executive chair Ramona Nee, taking over on January 1, 2026, is expected to accelerate Weil’s growth strategy, with some partners hoping the departure opens the door for merger discussions with firms having complementary practices.
• Cravath, which has also faced partner departures this year, gains a high-profile M&A leader but lacks depth in private equity, raising questions about long-term diversification despite its strong public M&A reputation.
• Aiello took several partners with him, including Matt Gilroy and Eoghan Keenan, leaving Weil with significant gaps in its M&A and potentially related tax and regulatory practices.

Background

This development follows earlier reports in September 2026 that Aiello was planning to leave Weil for Cravath, a move initially framed by Weil as a shift to a 'smaller platform.' The departure marks a significant shift in power dynamics for both firms, as Weil pursues an aggressive growth strategy and Cravath touts its culture and collaboration. Prior to this, Weil had already lost several private equity partners to competitors like Paul Weiss and Simpson Thacher, adding to concerns about internal disarray.

How outlets are covering it

Above the Law emphasizes the unusual nature of Weil insiders publicly briefing reporters on why they are better off without Aiello, contrasting this with the typical graceful departure statements in Big Law. Bloomberg Law highlights the alignment between Aiello and Cravath’s presiding partner Faiza Saeed on the primacy of public M&A, while noting that Cravath’s structural challenges in diversification remain. Law.com focuses on the internal alignment expected under new leadership, with sources anticipating a clearer growth strategy. All sources agree that Aiello was a divisive figure whose influence exceeded his formal role, but they differ in emphasis: Above the Law stresses the messiness of the exit, Bloomberg Law focuses on the strategic fit with Cravath, and Law.com looks forward to Weil’s future under Nee.

Why it matters

Aiello’s departure signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape for Big Law firms, as Weil seeks to diversify beyond M&A and Cravath attempts to strengthen its position in public M&A while addressing structural limitations. The move also highlights the tensions between traditional practice areas and emerging growth strategies in the legal industry, with implications for recruiting, firm culture, and long-term sustainability.

What to watch

Weil will likely focus on recruiting and expanding its private equity practice under Ramona Nee, with some partners exploring merger options. Cravath will need to address its lack of depth in non-M&A areas to compete long-term, while Aiello’s integration into the firm will test its culture and collaboration model. The coming months will reveal whether Weil can stabilize its roster and whether Cravath can leverage Aiello’s presence to broaden its practice mix.