The Legal 500

Weil is one of a small handful of firms that has a balance of market-leading restructuring and private equity capabilities with an international framework of consistently high-quality offices.

The firm: The firm has 1,200 lawyers, including 300 partners, in 20 cities throughout the US, Europe and Asia. Nearly 25% of the firm’s lawyers are based in Europe. The London office was established in 1996 and has grown to become the second largest of the firm’s worldwide offices, with over 90% of Weil’s lawyers in London being UK-qualified. The London office is the hub of the firm’s European practice.

Weil invests considerable time and effort in recruiting and retaining exceptional talent, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, at all levels. Few firms place greater emphasis on pro bono work. The firm’s award-winning programme is incredibly varied and upholds the highest standards of public service by the legal community.

Types of work undertaken: Restructuring: Weil’s restructuring practice is recognised as one of the leading practices in its field, and is referred to as ‘the gold standard of the bankruptcy bar’ (The American Lawyer). The firm has been at the forefront of the credit crisis, advising global financial institutions such as Lehman Brothers, General Motors, AIG and Kaupthing, as well as providing integrated crisis management advice.

Private equity/M&A: the ability to partner with clients and to offer exceptional client service, leveraging off the firm’s US and European cutting-edge private equity and restructuring practices, allows Weil to access the most up-to-date techniques, market knowledge and practices. Full service transactional support is provided by specialists in the fields of competition, employment/employee benefits, environment, IP/IT, pensions, real estate and tax. The firm offers specialist sector focus across a range of industries, including retail/consumer brands, energy, healthcare, and technology, media and telecommunications.

Finance: Weil has a broad-based international finance practice. The firm’s expertise includes bank and institutional lending, acquisition finance (including senior and mezzanine debt), asset finance, derivatives, refinancings and recapitalisations, debt and equity capital markets, structured finance and lease financings. Expertise with financial instruments, which are increasingly the subject of restructuring, is invaluable.

Dispute resolution: few firms can match the quality and depth of Weil’s experience in litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution. The firm helps clients solve their toughest problems in any forum throughout the world and has an impressive track record.

Other offices: Beijing, Boston, Budapest, Dallas, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, Miami, Munich, New York, Paris, Prague, Providence, Shanghai, Silicon Valley, Warsaw, Washington DC, Wilmington.

Number of UK partners 26
Number of other UK fee-earners 120