Weil Gotshal & Manges announced its wind-down after 95 years and told associates the firm will support their job search while continuing normal operations. The firm leadership told attorneys the partnership recognizes many will explore new opportunities and intends to facilitate introductions and provide transition support.
Associates will receive up to 90 days of salary and benefits if they remain with the firm. Eligible staff will receive bonuses in mid-December. Eligible associates, counsel, and non-capital partners who stay through January 1, 2027, will receive bonuses paid in early January 2027.
The firm's message emphasized that associates must continue billing for work and recording time as the firm meets client obligations and collects outstanding fees during the wind-down. The firm said these efforts are essential to supporting staff and carrying out an orderly process.
Leadership acknowledged the difficulty of asking employees to remain focused during personal uncertainty and committed to sharing information "as promptly and clearly as possible." The firm said it "wants to do better as we move forward" regarding communication.
The wind-down follows a period in which the firm told the Wall Street Journal in September that no decision had been made to dissolve, said a month later it was not engaged in merger discussions, then announced merger negotiations with Willkie, which later fell through.