Weil Gotshal & Manges is winding down after 95 years, but the billable hour, it seems, will outlive it.
When firm leaders announced the shutdown to all attorneys, they had a message for associates, according to Above the Law tipsters. It started out about as well as these things can:
We also recognize that many of you will begin exploring new professional opportunities, if you have not already. We understand that and we want to be helpful, we intend to support your efforts to find new opportunities and facilitate introductions where we can. We know that Weil’s associates, counsel and staff are among the most talented professionals in the industry, and we will do what we can to help you take the next step in your careers. We will provide additional information about available resources and transition support as the process develops.
Weil associates spent the past week watching partners frantically send résumés to rivals, and at least one practice head had already told his associates to look for work elsewhere. These are lawyers who pinned their careers to the Weil partnership, and the partnership couldn’t keep it together. Helping them land on their feet is nice… or at least the barest of professional courtesies.
There’s money attached, too. According to insiders, the firm will provide up to 90 days of salary and benefits to associates, counsel, non-capital partners, and staff who remain with the firm. Eligible staff will get bonuses in mid-December, and eligible associates, counsel, and non-capital partners who stay through January 1, 2027, will get bonuses paid in early January 2027. That’s a real cushion for people who didn’t create this mess.
Of course, it isn’t just career services time at Weil, there’s legal work that still has to be attended to:
While we work through the next steps, it is imperative that we continue operating the firm and serving our clients, our clients must continue receiving the same exceptional legal service they have always expected from Weil. We have important obligations to our clients, our colleagues and one another. Those obligations do not change [because of the wind-down]. We need to continue billing for work performed, collecting outstanding fees and managing the firm’s operations responsibly. These efforts are essential to meeting the firm’s obligations, supporting our people and carrying out an orderly process.
So… we’ll help you find your next job, but first, timesheets! And, that makes sense — attorneys are acutely aware of their professional responsibilities and an orderly wind-down runs on collected receivables, and Weil has been having consultants comb through obligations like pensions and office leases. It’s just that “the ship is sinking, please remember to record your time in six-minute increments” is hard to hear for the people with the least say in steering it.
At least leadership closed with an acknowledgment that it’s asking a lot:
We recognize that asking everyone to remain focused on their work during a period of such personal uncertainty is difficult. We do not take that for granted. But your continued professionalism and commitment, will make an enormous difference for our clients your colleagues and success of this transition.
Leadership also acknowledged that “uncertainty” has been a pain point throughout this process, said the firm “wants to do better as we move forward,” and committed to sharing information “as promptly and clearly as possible.” Which, I guess… better late than never? Because don’t forget in September the firm was “not engaged in merger discussions with any firm,” then negotiating one a month later, and told the Wall Street Journal “No decision has been made to dissolve the firm,” days before deciding to dissolve the firm.
None of which changes the fact that this is a shitty time to be a Weil associate. So if you know one, buy them a drink, give them a hug, or offer to proofread their résumé, because they need the kindness right about now.
Earlier: After 95 Years, Weil Gotshal Is Winding Down
Weil Cancels Webinar Inviting 1Ls To ‘Explore What A Career Here Could Look Like’
Weil Practice Head Tells His Associates To Start Looking For Work Elsewhere
Weil Gotshal Is Now Discussing A Possible Wind-Down
Weil Partners Are ‘Frantically Sending Résumés’ As Leadership Weighs Its Options
Weil’s Successor Walked Away, And Now The Firm Has A ‘Run On The Bank’ Problem
Weil’s Incoming Leader Won’t Take The Job, And Might Take One At Simpson Thacher Instead
Weil’s Merger With Willkie Is Dead, But Its Partner Exodus Is Very Much Alive
Weil Gotshal Is Reportedly Negotiating A Merger, About A Month After Saying It Wasn’t In Merger Talks
Weil Seeks To Strengthen Its ‘Platform’ As Merger Rumors Swirl
Weil’s Corporate Chair Decamps For Cravath, Which Weil Would Like You To Know Is ‘A Smaller Platform’
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Bluesky @Kathryn1
The post Weil’s Wind-Down Message To Associates: Good Luck Out There, And Don’t Forget Your Timesheets appeared first on Above the Law.
Weil Gotshal & Manges is winding down after 95 years, but the billable hour, it seems, will outlive it.
When firm leaders announced the shutdown to all attorneys, they had a message for associates, according to Above the Law tipsters. It started out about as well as these things can:
We also recognize that many of you will begin exploring new professional opportunities, if you have not already. We understand that and we want to be helpful, we intend to support your efforts to find new opportunities and facilitate introductions where we can. We know that Weil’s associates, counsel and staff are among the most talented professionals in the industry, and we will do what we can to help you take the next step in your careers. We will provide additional information about available resources and transition support as the process develops.
Weil associates spent the past week watching partners frantically send résumés to rivals, and at least one practice head had already told his associates to look for work elsewhere. These are lawyers who pinned their careers to the Weil partnership, and the partnership couldn’t keep it together. Helping them land on their feet is nice… or at least the barest of professional courtesies.
There’s money attached, too. According to insiders, the firm will provide up to 90 days of salary and benefits to associates, counsel, non-capital partners, and staff who remain with the firm. Eligible staff will get bonuses in mid-December, and eligible associates, counsel, and non-capital partners who stay through January 1, 2027, will get bonuses paid in early January 2027. That’s a real cushion for people who didn’t create this mess.
Of course, it isn’t just career services time at Weil, there’s legal work that still has to be attended to:
While we work through the next steps, it is imperative that we continue operating the firm and serving our clients, our clients must continue receiving the same exceptional legal service they have always expected from Weil. We have important obligations to our clients, our colleagues and one another. Those obligations do not change [because of the wind-down]. We need to continue billing for work performed, collecting outstanding fees and managing the firm’s operations responsibly. These efforts are essential to meeting the firm’s obligations, supporting our people and carrying out an orderly process.
So… we’ll help you find your next job, but first, timesheets! And, that makes sense — attorneys are acutely aware of their professional responsibilities and an orderly wind-down runs on collected receivables, and Weil has been having consultants comb through obligations like pensions and office leases. It’s just that “the ship is sinking, please remember to record your time in six-minute increments” is hard to hear for the people with the least say in steering it.
At least leadership closed with an acknowledgment that it’s asking a lot:
We recognize that asking everyone to remain focused on their work during a period of such personal uncertainty is difficult. We do not take that for granted. But your continued professionalism and commitment, will make an enormous difference for our clients your colleagues and success of this transition.
Leadership also acknowledged that “uncertainty” has been a pain point throughout this process, said the firm “wants to do better as we move forward,” and committed to sharing information “as promptly and clearly as possible.” Which, I guess… better late than never? Because don’t forget in September the firm was “not engaged in merger discussions with any firm,” then negotiating one a month later, and told the Wall Street Journal “No decision has been made to dissolve the firm,” days before deciding to dissolve the firm.
None of which changes the fact that this is a shitty time to be a Weil associate. So if you know one, buy them a drink, give them a hug, or offer to proofread their résumé, because they need the kindness right about now.
Earlier: After 95 Years, Weil Gotshal Is Winding Down
Weil Cancels Webinar Inviting 1Ls To ‘Explore What A Career Here Could Look Like’
Weil Practice Head Tells His Associates To Start Looking For Work Elsewhere
Weil Gotshal Is Now Discussing A Possible Wind-Down
Weil Partners Are ‘Frantically Sending Résumés’ As Leadership Weighs Its Options
Weil’s Successor Walked Away, And Now The Firm Has A ‘Run On The Bank’ Problem
Weil’s Incoming Leader Won’t Take The Job, And Might Take One At Simpson Thacher Instead
Weil’s Merger With Willkie Is Dead, But Its Partner Exodus Is Very Much Alive
Weil Gotshal Is Reportedly Negotiating A Merger, About A Month After Saying It Wasn’t In Merger Talks
Weil Seeks To Strengthen Its ‘Platform’ As Merger Rumors Swirl
Weil’s Corporate Chair Decamps For Cravath, Which Weil Would Like You To Know Is ‘A Smaller Platform’
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Bluesky @Kathryn1
