United States

Jonathon G. Soler, currently Co-Managing Partner of Weil, to become the Firm’s sole Managing Partner NEW YORK, MARCH 17, 2026: International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP today announced its leadership succession plan, continuing a strategic transition as Executive Partner Barry M. Wolf prepares to retire as partner at the end of 2027, after having led the Firm for the past 16 years.  Succeeding Barry as Executive Partner will be Ramona Y. Nee, who currently serves as Co-Managing Partner of Weil, Co-Head of the Firm’s U.S. Private Equity practice and Co-Managing Partner of the Boston office. As Executive Partner, Ramona will serve as the most senior executive of the partnership – with primary responsibility for setting the Firm’s strategic direction, strengthening key client relationships and directing the Firm’s financial performance and core management functions. Barry will continue to Chair the Management Committee until he retires at the end of 2027, at which time Ramona will become Chair of the Management Committee. During 2027, in addition to Chairing the Management Committee, Barry will be working full time devoting substantial attention to ensuring a smooth leadership transition. Jonathon G. Soler, currently Co-Managing Partner of Weil, will become the Firm’s sole Managing Partner with primary responsibility for Firm operations. In this capacity, he will work closely with the Firm’s Executive Director on the oversight of key administrative functions and other strategic priorities.  Jonathon will continue to serve his robust Private Funds client base. Ramona and Jonathon will assume their new roles on January 1, 2027. A year of overlap with Barry will allow for a smooth and well‑coordinated leadership transition – including providing Ramona sufficient time to transition most of her client work. The Global Leadership & Strategy Committee was formed to assess Firm strategy and growth opportunities, and to assist with the succession planning process and has accomplished its intended goals.  The Management Committee has benefitted from its strategic insights and instituted purposeful change at its direction.  Given the evolving needs of the Firm, a new Committee, the Global Strategy Committee, will focus on Firm strategy and growth, including key clients, business development and other market opportunities and assessing potential lateral partners, and will be chaired by Michael Aiello. The other members of the GSC are Barry (until he retires), Ramona, Barry Dunne and Beth Kasden. Barry will retire from the partnership at the end of 2027 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age, and will assume the role of Senior Counsel beginning January 1, 2028.  In this newly-created position, Barry will continue to work on a part-time basis on various Firm matters.  Given the increasing complexities of the legal marketplace, his expertise and vast institutional knowledge will be helpful in lateral partner recruitment, business development and other matters that inure to the long-term health and benefit of the Firm. “Ramona is uniquely suited to guide Weil into its next chapter,” said Barry. “She exemplifies the leadership, the skills and the values essential to our continued growth, and will ensure that the Firm maintains its standing as a preeminent provider of legal services. I applaud her for her dedication and commitment to the future of our great Firm.” “Barry is an inspiring role model whose principled leadership over two decades has helped shape who we are as a Firm and prepared us well for the future,” said Ramona. “I look forward to working with him, the Management Committee, and all of my fellow partners during the transition period as we continue to serve our clients, support our people and continue attracting the best talent in the legal profession.” About Weil Founded in 1931, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has been a preeminent provider of legal services for more than 90 years. With approximately 1,200 lawyers in offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in the marketplace and a first-mover in the establishment of many significant practice areas. The Firm’s four departments, Corporate, Litigation, Restructuring, and Tax, Executive Compensation & Benefits, and more than two dozen practice groups are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective fields.

Arnold & Porter announced today that Natalie Sinzig has joined the firm’s Intellectual Property & Technology practice as counsel in San Francisco.  Natalie is an accomplished IP litigator with significant experience leading high-stakes patent, trade secret, and copyright disputes across a broad range of technologies. Her practice spans complex matters involving AI and machine learning, medical devices, solar panels, wireless networks, radio frequency identification systems, semiconductors, batteries, and digital mobile radios. With over a decade of experience, Natalie has handled matters in both state and federal courts as well as before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. She has successfully guided clients through all phases of litigation—from pre-suit investigations and discovery through trial strategy and post-trial proceedings—delivering favorable outcomes in high-value matters. She also publishes thought leadership on IP and cybersecurity matters impacting technology companies. Prior to joining Arnold & Porter, Natalie was a partner in the IP Litigation group at a top-ranked Am Law 100 firm, where she managed critical aspects of motion practice, witness preparation, expert strategy, and trial execution in complex technology disputes by translating highly technical subject matter into compelling courtroom narratives. Natalie earned her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, where she received a Law & Technology Certificate. She also holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of California, Berkeley.

SEATTLE, March 9, 2026 — Arnold & Porter announced today that Rhys Hefta, a lawyer with over 15 years of experience in Seattle, has joined the firm’s Real Estate practice as a partner, resident in Seattle. The firm’s Seattle office serves as a hub for regulatory, litigation, and transactional work across key practices, including real estate, as well as class actions, complex commercial litigation, corporate transactions, employment disputes, technology transactions and healthcare and hospital matters. With Rhys’ arrival, Arnold & Porter’s team in the heart of downtown Seattle has increased to 36 attorneys and staff since opening the office in July 2025. Building on this steady and purposeful growth, the firm expects to continue expanding its team in the region. Pallavi Mehta Wahi, Arnold & Porter Chair of Western U.S. Strategic Growth and head of the Seattle office, said: “Rhys is an excellent lawyer with deep experience and strong credentials. He has grown an impressive practice in real estate financing focused on sophisticated transactions for lender and borrower clients and is an analytical, thoughtful, strategic adviser. I am confident he will be instrumental in supporting our Real Estate team as we continue to grow on the West Coast and in Seattle.” Rhys has a broad real estate finance practice, advising clients across a range of real estate asset classes, including office, hospitality, retail, multifamily, industrial/logistics, and senior housing. He represents commercial real estate lenders – from life insurance companies to Wall Street investment banks and foreign financial institutions – and counsels them on loan originations, structuring, purchases and sales, securitizations, syndications, joint ventures, workouts, and restructurings. He regularly advises lenders on complex senior and subordinate financings, multi‑state portfolio deals, and transactions involving mezzanine debt and preferred equity. In addition, Rhys advises landlord and tenants on commercial leasing matters and assists owners in negotiating asset, property management, and franchise agreements. In joining the firm, Rhys said: “Arnold & Porter’s Real Estate group, which actively advises an array of clients on finance, agribusiness, joint venture, and development matters, is an excellent fit for my practice. I am pleased to be joining my new colleagues, both in Seattle and across the firm’s well-established real estate platform, and to be part of a regulatory platform of Arnold & Porter’s stature in Seattle.” Rhys holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and a B.A. from the University of Washington, cum laude. About Arnold & Porter Arnold & Porter combines sophisticated regulatory, litigation, and transactional capabilities to resolve clients’ most complex issues. With over 1,000 lawyers practicing in 16 offices worldwide, we offer an integrated approach that spans more than 40 practice areas. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and focused industry experience, we provide innovative and effective solutions to mitigate risks, address challenges, and achieve successful outcomes.

SEATTLE, March 9, 2026 — Arnold & Porter announced today that Rhys Hefta, a lawyer with over 15 years of experience in Seattle, has joined the firm’s Real Estate practice as a partner, resident in Seattle. The firm’s Seattle office serves as a hub for regulatory, litigation, and transactional work across key practices, including real estate, as well as class actions, complex commercial litigation, corporate transactions, employment disputes, technology transactions and healthcare and hospital matters. With Rhys’ arrival, Arnold & Porter’s team in the heart of downtown Seattle has increased to 36 attorneys and staff since opening the office in July 2025. Building on this steady and purposeful growth, the firm expects to continue expanding its team in the region. Pallavi Mehta Wahi, Arnold & Porter Chair of Western U.S. Strategic Growth and head of the Seattle office, said: “Rhys is an excellent lawyer with deep experience and strong credentials. He has grown an impressive practice in real estate financing focused on sophisticated transactions for lender and borrower clients and is an analytical, thoughtful, strategic adviser. I am confident he will be instrumental in supporting our Real Estate team as we continue to grow on the West Coast and in Seattle.” Rhys has a broad real estate finance practice, advising clients across a range of real estate asset classes, including office, hospitality, retail, multifamily, industrial/logistics, and senior housing. He represents commercial real estate lenders – from life insurance companies to Wall Street investment banks and foreign financial institutions – and counsels them on loan originations, structuring, purchases and sales, securitizations, syndications, joint ventures, workouts, and restructurings. He regularly advises lenders on complex senior and subordinate financings, multi‑state portfolio deals, and transactions involving mezzanine debt and preferred equity. In addition, Rhys advises landlord and tenants on commercial leasing matters and assists owners in negotiating asset, property management, and franchise agreements. In joining the firm, Rhys said: “Arnold & Porter’s Real Estate group, which actively advises an array of clients on finance, agribusiness, joint venture, and development matters, is an excellent fit for my practice. I am pleased to be joining my new colleagues, both in Seattle and across the firm’s well-established real estate platform, and to be part of a regulatory platform of Arnold & Porter’s stature in Seattle.” Rhys holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and a B.A. from the University of Washington, cum laude. About Arnold & Porter Arnold & Porter combines sophisticated regulatory, litigation, and transactional capabilities to resolve clients’ most complex issues. With over 1,000 lawyers practicing in 16 offices worldwide, we offer an integrated approach that spans more than 40 practice areas. Through multidisciplinary collaboration and focused industry experience, we provide innovative and effective solutions to mitigate risks, address challenges, and achieve successful outcomes.