Key Takeaways
- • Doug Warner, Weil Gotshal & Manges' global co-head of private equity, is set to join Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, according to sources familiar with the matter who confirmed the move on Tuesday.
- • Warner is at least the fourteenth Weil leader to depart since the start of 2026, and Weil has seen more than 40 partner departures year to date while hiring just over 20 lateral partners.
- • Weil has engaged Davis Polk & Wardwell as restructuring counsel, with Brian Resnick counseling the firm, after its merger talks with Willkie Farr & Gallagher fell through in mid-October.
- • Rival firms Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Paul Weiss are reportedly recruiting from Weil's Boston office and its bankruptcy practice, though no sought-after partners have been reported as actively in talks.
Summary
Weil Gotshal & Manges' global co-head of private equity Doug Warner is set to join Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, sources familiar with the matter confirmed Tuesday, according to Law.com. Based in New York, Warner has worked at Weil since 1986, and his clients include American Securities, AMP Capital, Centerbridge, and CPP Investments, according to his Weil profile.
Warner's departure is at least the fourteenth Weil leadership exit since the start of 2026. It also reflects a broader exodus: Weil has seen more than 40 partner departures year to date while hiring just over 20 lateral partners. Warner will rejoin former Weil colleagues Caroline Hickey Zalka, formerly head of Weil's securities litigation practice, and Christopher Machera, its former private equity co-head, both of whom joined Paul Weiss earlier this year. Former Weil partners Max Oppenheimer and Tim Burns also moved to Paul Weiss from Weil this year.
The moves come as Weil engages restructuring counsel. Law.com confirmed that Davis Polk & Wardwell, which was already advising the firm on potential mergers, will serve that role, with head of liability management and special opportunities Brian Resnick counseling Weil. Weil's merger talks with Willkie Farr & Gallagher fell through in mid-October, and incoming executive partner Ramona Nee no longer plans to lead the firm in 2027.
Law.com reported that rival firms are aggressively recruiting from Weil. Multiple sources indicated that Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, which has already claimed an outsize share of key Weil talent, is circling Weil's Boston office, and both Simpson and Paul Weiss were named as looking to recruit from Weil's bankruptcy practice. There has been no indication that the sought-after partners in Boston or the bankruptcy group have actively been in talks with other firms. Representatives for Weil and Paul Weiss did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Warner's departure is at least the fourteenth Weil leadership exit since the start of 2026. It also reflects a broader exodus: Weil has seen more than 40 partner departures year to date while hiring just over 20 lateral partners. Warner will rejoin former Weil colleagues Caroline Hickey Zalka, formerly head of Weil's securities litigation practice, and Christopher Machera, its former private equity co-head, both of whom joined Paul Weiss earlier this year. Former Weil partners Max Oppenheimer and Tim Burns also moved to Paul Weiss from Weil this year.
The moves come as Weil engages restructuring counsel. Law.com confirmed that Davis Polk & Wardwell, which was already advising the firm on potential mergers, will serve that role, with head of liability management and special opportunities Brian Resnick counseling Weil. Weil's merger talks with Willkie Farr & Gallagher fell through in mid-October, and incoming executive partner Ramona Nee no longer plans to lead the firm in 2027.
Law.com reported that rival firms are aggressively recruiting from Weil. Multiple sources indicated that Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, which has already claimed an outsize share of key Weil talent, is circling Weil's Boston office, and both Simpson and Paul Weiss were named as looking to recruit from Weil's bankruptcy practice. There has been no indication that the sought-after partners in Boston or the bankruptcy group have actively been in talks with other firms. Representatives for Weil and Paul Weiss did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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