Simon Lyell > Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Leveraging its deep team of highly experienced advisers, each with unique sector specialisms, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP maintains a dominant position in the London PE market, acting for many of the foremost buyout houses, growth equity firms, pension funds, and impact investors. Highlighted by clients as ‘technically excellent’ and possessing ‘deep experience’, Marco Compagnoni fronts the practice, drawing on a broad skillset which is frequently utilised leading global funds. Jonathan Wood handles an array of PE transactions, including complex take-privates, strategic partnerships, and IPOs. Simon Lyell advises alternative investment managers, impact funds, and pension funds as part of a varied domestic and cross-border practice, while James Harvey ‘consistently delivers commercial and practical advice’ to financial sponsors engaged in buyouts, carve-outs, minority investments and exits. Lewis Blakey and Max Oppenheimer work for a host of global private equity firms – as well as their portfolio companies – on M&A, disposals and corporate restructurings. Martin Weatherston-Wilson was promoted to partner in January 2024.

Lauded for its ‘exceptional level of partner involvement‘, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP‘s experience spans public and private M&A, as well as hostile takeover defence strategies, corporate governance and equity capital markets work. The corporate practice is led by David Avery-Gee, who stands out for his expertise in the natural resources and energy sectors, advising on cross-border M&A, joint ventures and capital raisings. Michael Francies is a seasoned transactional lawyer, noted for his ability to advise on high-profile domestic and cross-border deals, while Murray Cox acts for listed companies on a wide range of matters, with a particular focus on the infrastructure space. Other notable individuals include Sarah Flaherty, a public company takeover specialist, and Simon Lyell, who earns praise for his ‘unparalleled dedication.’