Weil Recommends Wind-Down of Boston Office
Leaders at Weil, Gotshal & Manges have recommended an orderly wind-down of the firm, pending a partner vote.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Leaders at Weil, Gotshal & Manges recommended an orderly wind-down of the firm last week, a proposal that remains subject to a vote by its partners. The recommendation would affect about 50 attorneys and staff members in Boston, weeks after the firm opened a new office in Back Bay.
Why it matters
The recommendation follows an exodus of high-earning partners and unsuccessful merger talks, signaling a sharp reversal for a firm that had recently expanded its Boston footprint. For Boston's legal market, the proposal would remove a sizable office from the city's Back Bay corridor.
The new Lyrik Back Bay office spans more than 37,000 square feet and expanded Weil's Boston footprint by one-third, versus 43 people listed on the firm's Boston website. The firm did not respond to requests for comment on affected employee numbers or its leased office space.
The players
Weil, Gotshal & Manges
A global law firm with roughly 1,200 lawyers across three continents, ranked 29th among U.S. firms by gross revenue with $2.1 billion in 2025 revenue.
The details
Weil, Gotshal & Manges opened a more than 37,000-square-foot office at Lyrik Back Bay on June 15, occupying two floors at 1001 Boylston St. Leaders recommended the wind-down to the firm's partners, who must vote on the proposal.
Timeline
Weil established its Boston office in 2002.
Since January 2025, the firm has added seven partners to the Boston office.
Weil opened its new Lyrik Back Bay office on June 15, 2026.
Leaders recommended the orderly wind-down in late October 2026.
Market Landscape
Weil ranks 29th among U.S. law firms by gross revenue in the Am Law 100, placing it among the largest firms competing for Boston's corporate legal work. A wind-down would shift market share away from the Back Bay corridor and reduce the firm's competitive presence in the city's legal market.
Clients of Weil's Boston office may face changes to who handles their matters if the wind-down is approved. Affected attorneys and staff would need to find new positions, while the partner vote will determine whether the office closes.
The takeaway
Business clients relying on a single large firm should track partner votes and staffing changes closely, since departures can shift matters quickly. Confirm which attorneys will handle your work if a wind-down proceeds.
Further reading
For other office changes across the city, see Openings & Closings in Boston.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Boston.
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