Key Takeaways
- • Peter Feist Returns to Weil as U.S. Co-Head of Private Equity: The prominent private equity attorney, who previously spent nearly 20 years at Weil before departing for Cravath, Swaine & Moore, has rejoined Weil as a partner and U.S. Co-Head of its Private Equity practice, based in New York.
- • 25+ Years of PE Transaction Experience: Feist brings over 25 years of private equity experience advising sponsors and financial investors on leveraged buyouts, public and private acquisitions, take-private transactions, minority and structured investments, recapitalizations, and exits.
- • Strategic Reinforcement of Weil's Leadership: Feist's appointment reflects Weil's broader expansion strategy, announced alongside recent lateral hires Jonathan Stott and Michael Hanna (San Francisco), and the promotion of Kyle Krpata and Michael Lubowitz to Co-Chairs of the Corporate Department. Feist will serve as U.S. Co-Head alongside Krpata and Ramona Nee.
- • Pattern of Senior Partner Returns: The hire represents one of eight former partners who have rejoined Weil during 2026, signaling renewed institutional confidence and competitive repositioning within the firm's private equity and M&A franchises.
Summary
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced on September 25, 2026, the return of leading private equity attorney Peter Feist as a partner and U.S. Co-Head of its Private Equity practice in New York. Feist, who previously practiced at Weil for approximately 20 years before departing to lead the private equity practice at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, brings more than 25 years of specialized experience advising private equity sponsors and financial investors on their largest and most complex transactions.
Feist's practice encompasses the full spectrum of private equity activities, including leveraged buyouts, public and private acquisitions, take-private transactions, minority and structured investments, recapitalizations, and exit strategies. His return underscores Weil's strategic focus on strengthening its private equity capabilities at a time when the firm is experiencing significant investment and leadership consolidation. Executive Partner Barry Wolf characterized Feist as "an exceptional private equity lawyer" and "trusted adviser" whose deep familiarity with Weil's people, clients, and culture positions him to advance the firm's broader growth initiatives.
The Feist appointment is part of a coordinated leadership expansion at Weil that includes the recent recruitment of dealmakers Jonathan Stott and Michael Hanna as partners in the U.S. Private Equity Group in San Francisco, alongside the elevation of Private Equity leader Kyle Krpata and Mergers & Acquisitions leader Michael Lubowitz to Co-Chairs of the Corporate Department. As U.S. Co-Head of Private Equity, Feist will share responsibility with existing co-leaders Kyle Krpata and Ramona Nee, leveraging his extensive relationships across the firm's practices and geographies to enhance client service delivery and cultivate emerging talent.
The return of Feist is notable within the context of 2026 firm dynamics, as Weil has seen eight former partners rejoin the organization this year. This pattern suggests a reversal of prior departures and reflects competitive repositioning as Weil seeks to reinforce its market position in private equity and corporate M&A advisory services.
Feist's practice encompasses the full spectrum of private equity activities, including leveraged buyouts, public and private acquisitions, take-private transactions, minority and structured investments, recapitalizations, and exit strategies. His return underscores Weil's strategic focus on strengthening its private equity capabilities at a time when the firm is experiencing significant investment and leadership consolidation. Executive Partner Barry Wolf characterized Feist as "an exceptional private equity lawyer" and "trusted adviser" whose deep familiarity with Weil's people, clients, and culture positions him to advance the firm's broader growth initiatives.
The Feist appointment is part of a coordinated leadership expansion at Weil that includes the recent recruitment of dealmakers Jonathan Stott and Michael Hanna as partners in the U.S. Private Equity Group in San Francisco, alongside the elevation of Private Equity leader Kyle Krpata and Mergers & Acquisitions leader Michael Lubowitz to Co-Chairs of the Corporate Department. As U.S. Co-Head of Private Equity, Feist will share responsibility with existing co-leaders Kyle Krpata and Ramona Nee, leveraging his extensive relationships across the firm's practices and geographies to enhance client service delivery and cultivate emerging talent.
The return of Feist is notable within the context of 2026 firm dynamics, as Weil has seen eight former partners rejoin the organization this year. This pattern suggests a reversal of prior departures and reflects competitive repositioning as Weil seeks to reinforce its market position in private equity and corporate M&A advisory services.
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