Firm Profiles

One of the New York megafirms, Weil doesn’t rank high just by revenue, but also by important noneconomic metrics. Indeed, the firm’s far–above–average scores on diversity, pro bono work, and midlevel associate satisfaction have helped to make it a fixture on The American Lawyer’s “A–List,” which homes in on the nation’s 20 most eminent law firms.

While Weil, like most 1,000–plus lawyer firms, has a far–ranging practice, it is particularly well–known for its bankruptcy and restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and litigation groups. That last practice area has been a regular on the pages of The American Lawyer as well, earning a finalist berth on our Litigation Department of the Year competition in 2010 and 2004, and honorable mentions in 2006, 2008, and 2012 (the contest is held every two years). Ironically, the financial crisis that dealt a blow to Weil’s deal flow?and saw the firm’s revenues drop 4 percent in 2010 before recovering the following year—kept its business finance and restructuring group busy, representing the likes of now–defunct Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., and Washington Mutual, Inc. The firm’s bankruptcy work contributed substantially to Weil’s bottom line: The Lehman work generated $383 million in fees, and the WaMu work brought in another $71 million.

Weil’s IP group, which has handled work for Microsoft Corporation, eBay Inc., and Genentech, Inc., among others, is also well respected. It was a finalist in The American Lawyer’s IP Litigation Department of the Year contest in 2006 and 2010.

Weil’s practice is far–reaching, too. The firm’s 21 offices cover the traditional megafirm standards like London and Hong Kong, as well as newer hot spots like Beijing and Dubai. But Weil also has a footprint in some markets less frequented by American firms, such as Budapest and Warsaw.

Weil’s profits per partner also place it within the upper ranks of U.S. firms. In fact, one of the few areas in which Weil does not rank near the top is age: Founded in 1931, it’s virtually a kid among the big New York firms. But a precocious, ambitious, and high–achieving one, to be sure.

—Updated as of 1/1/12