Weil Gotshal hires Davis Polk team as partner exits accelerate
Weil Gotshal & Manges has engaged restructuring and merger experts from Davis Polk after a wave of partner departures and a failed merger discussion with Willkie Farr & Gallagher.
U.S. law firm Weil Gotshal & Manges has retained a group of lawyers from Davis Polk & Wardwell, including restructuring partner Brian Resnick, to advise on its strategic options as the firm faces a surge in partner exits and the collapse of merger talks with Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Davis Polk managing partner Neil Barr, known for advising on major law-firm consolidations, is also working with Weil, according to a source with direct knowledge.
Weil, a New York-based firm with about 1,200 lawyers and a reputation for dealmaking, bankruptcy and litigation work, has seen several senior partners leave since the summer, with rivals recruiting talent through aggressive compensation packages. Recent departures include New York dealmaker Michael Aiello and five M&A partners moving to Cravath, Swaine & Moore, as well as senior lawyers joining Simpson Thacher, Paul Weiss and Sullivan & Cromwell. Skadden also announced the hiring of two former Weil partners who previously served at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Financial Times reported that Weil’s advisors are evaluating options that could include a potential wind-down. A Weil spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment, and a Davis Polk spokesperson also declined to comment.
"Resnick’s bankruptcy representation has included electric-vehicle startup Fisker and dairy company Dean Foods," the source noted.
"Barr worked on two of the largest law-firm mergers of 2025, including a $3.6 billion combination of Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and a $2.7 billion merger of Ashurst and Perkins Coie," the source added.