Weil's Corporate Chair Decamps For Cravath, Which Weil Would Like You To Know Is 'A Smaller Platform'
Weil is targeting boomerang laterals after losing its corporate chair, Michael Aiello, and five other partners to Cravath this month. Amid the high-profile talent drain, Weil regained Peter Feist, who returns from Cravath to serve as US co-head of private equity. While Weil actively recruits lateral candidates daily to expand its firmwide footprint, Bloomberg Law reports the firm has faced a broader departure totaling thirty partners. Weil officially denies engaging in merger discussions, though the firm has previously dismissed Cravath as a smaller platform.
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- ✓ Michael Aiello and five partners left Weil for Cravath this month.
- ✓ Peter Feist left Cravath to return to Weil as US co-head of private equity.
- ✓ Weil denies that it is in merger talks.
What changed
Weil secured the return of former Cravath private equity head Peter Feist to co-lead its private equity practice, countering its recent partner losses to Cravath.
Live updates
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Cravath Private Equity Head Returns to Weil After Partner Exodus
Weil is targeting boomerang laterals after losing its corporate chair, Michael Aiello, and five other partners to Cravath this month. Amid the high-profile talent drain, Weil regained Peter Feist, who returns from Cravath to serve as US co-head of private equity. While Weil actively recruits lateral candidates daily to expand its firmwide footprint, Bloomberg Law reports the firm has faced a broader departure totaling thirty partners. Weil officially denies engaging in merger discussions, though the firm has previously dismissed Cravath as a smaller platform.
Why it matters
The lateral talent exchange between Weil and Cravath highlights fierce competition among elite law firms for corporate rainmakers. Weil is pushing a campaign to rehire attorneys who previously started their careers at the firm to stabilize its corporate practices following the high-profile departures. These shifts come as industry observers closely watch how Weil manages its ongoing partner turnover and recruitment strategy.
What is confirmed
- Michael Aiello and five partners left Weil for Cravath this month.
- Peter Feist left Cravath to return to Weil as US co-head of private equity.
- Weil denies that it is in merger talks.
Still unconfirmed
- Weil lost a total of 30 partners during the recent exodus.
What to watch next
- Further lateral hire announcements from Weil's ongoing recruitment drive
- Additional partner departures or returns between Weil and Cravath
- Concrete developments regarding potential merger talks
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (6)
- www.law.com — Cravath PE Head Returns to Weil to Co-Lead Practice
- www.law.com — Cravath's Rainmaker Hire: Can Aiello Transform a Firm That Guards Its Culture?
- abovethelaw.com — Cravath And Weil Are Just Trading Partners At This Point
- www.lawfuel.com — The Original Boomerang Boomerangs Out: Mike Aiello Quits Weil ...
- www.wansom.ai — Peter Feist: Cravath Private Equity Head Returns to Weil as ...
- www.lawfuel.com — Weil Gotshal Merger Talk: What Happens When You Lose 30 ...
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Weil Appoints New Corporate Co-Heads Amid Expansion Push and Merger Rumors
Weil Gotshal is aggressively recruiting lateral candidates across every corporate practice following the departure of corporate chair Mike Aiello and five partners to Cravath. Michael Lubowitz stated the firm holds daily conversations with potential hires to prioritize rapid firmwide expansion. This recruitment drive occurs as the firm denies merger rumors, though internal sources suggest some partners have discussed potential mergers with specific firms. The firm previously described Cravath as a smaller platform during the talent loss.
Why it matters
The exit of Aiello, a top dealmaker, represents a significant shift in M&A talent between these two firms. This leadership vacuum has prompted Weil to restructure its corporate headship. The firm is now balancing rapid growth with internal instability.
What is confirmed
- Mike Aiello and five partners left Weil Gotshal for Cravath.
- Michael Lubowitz said the firm is in daily conversations with potential lateral candidates to expand every corporate practice.
Still unconfirmed
- Weil partners have internally floated the idea of merging with specific firms.
What to watch next
- Announcement of new lateral partner hires in the corporate department
- Official confirmation or denial of specific merger targets
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (8)
- www.law.com — What's Next for Weil After Top Rainmaker's Exit?
- www.law.com — Pa. Supreme Court rejects mine shaft murder appeal
- www.law.com — Q&A: Seth Jacobs, Blue Shield of California
- www.law.com — Judge Hurley Continued on Recall, Assigned to Middlesex County
- www.law.com — Prioritizing Rapid Expansion, Weil Taps New Corporate Co-Heads
- www.law.com — Murder trial of 'Mr. X' begins
- abovethelaw.com — Weil Seeks To Strengthen Its ‘Platform’ As Merger Rumors Swirl
- www.law.com — With Merger Rumors Swirling, Weil Says It's Staying the Course
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Weil Corporate Chair Mike Aiello and M&A Team Move to Cravath
Weil Gotshal is losing its corporate chair, Mike Aiello, and five other partners to rival law firm Cravath. Aiello, described as a top dealmaker, is departing alongside his M&A team. While the move represents a significant loss of leadership for Weil, the firm has characterized Cravath as a smaller platform. This group hire marks a major shift in M&A talent between the two firms.
Why it matters
The departure of a corporate chair and multiple partners typically triggers client poaching and revenue loss. These firms compete for high-stakes corporate mandates. The move reflects ongoing competition for top-tier legal talent in the M&A sector.
What is confirmed
- Weil corporate chair Mike Aiello is leaving the firm for Cravath.
- Five other partners are joining Aiello in the move to Cravath.
- Aiello is departing with his M&A team.
Still unconfirmed
- Weil described Cravath as a smaller platform.
- Law360 described the move as a historic group hire.
What to watch next
- Announcement of specific clients moving from Weil to Cravath
- Weil's appointment of a new corporate chair
- Statements from Cravath regarding the integration of the M&A team
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (5)
- WSJ — Exclusive | Weil Gotshal to Lose Top Dealmaker and Five Other Partners to Cravath
- Law.com — Mike Aiello, Weil Corporate Chair, Plans Exit for Cravath
- Reuters — Top Weil dealmaker to depart with M&A team for rival law firm Cravath
- Law360 — Cravath Makes Historic Group Hire In Weil M&A Addition
- Above the Law — Weil's Corporate Chair Decamps For Cravath, Which Weil Would Like You To Know Is 'A Smaller Platform'
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