Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Weil holds Band 1 rankings in Chambers USA for Private Equity, Corporate/M&A, and Restructuring. The firm's restructuring practice has handled the largest and most complex Chapter 11 cases in history, including Lehman Brothers, General Motors, and numerous other landmark proceedings. Its private equity team represents major sponsors on leveraged buyouts and fund matters, and the corporate group handles public company M&A and governance work. Weil's litigation practice, while less prominently branded than its transactional groups, handles significant commercial disputes and white-collar matters.

Weil uses a free-market system and is recognized as a Strong Performer for Quality of Life by Chambers Associate. The firm believes in the partnership model and invests in developing associates over the long term rather than relying heavily on lateral hiring. Associates describe the culture as welcoming and inclusive, with one noting they had not encountered any difficult personalities during the recruiting process. The firm has a pro bono target of 50 hours annually, with most first-year associates involved in Innocence Project work. Weil appointed a Chief Wellness Officer in 2022 to support mental and physical health, and the firm emphasizes inclusion across racial, religious, and educational backgrounds. The summer class is approximately 133 associates.

Notable alumni include the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who practiced at Weil before joining the bench. Weil's dominance in restructuring gives it a counter-cyclical business model, when the economy contracts and companies face financial distress, Weil's core practice thrives, providing a stability that many of its peers lack.