SAN FRANCISCO, August 31, 2026: International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced today that Jonathan Stott and Michael Hanna have joined the Firm as partners in its U.S. Private Equity Group in San Francisco, further strengthening Weil’s market-leading Private Equity platform in California.

The addition of Jon and Michael to Weil’s global Private Equity Group underscores the Firm’s continued investment in one of the world’s leading private equity platforms. And with their additions, Weil now has 20 partners across California who focus on advising its outstanding Private Equity client base. The Firm has been expanding strategically in California over the past several years, with the 2024 openings of its San Francisco and Los Angeles offices advancing Weil’s longstanding Silicon Valley presence into two of the state’s leading private equity markets.

The Bay Area remains one of the world’s premier markets for private equity sponsors, investment firms and innovative companies, making it a strategic focus for Weil and its clients.

Jon advises private equity sponsors, alternative asset managers and operating companies on mergers and acquisitions, carve-outs, growth investments, joint ventures and other transformative transactions across industries including technology, healthcare, industrials, aerospace and financial services. Michael advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on leveraged acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, joint ventures, corporate governance and other strategic transactions.

“We are delighted to welcome Jon and Michael as we continue to strengthen our premier private equity platform and expand our presence in California,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “The Bay Area is one of the world’s most important private equity markets, and Jon and Michael’s experience and relationships will further strengthen our ability to serve clients at the highest level.”

“We are highly focused on continuing to grow our Private Equity Group in the U.S. and globally with high-quality attorneys who are committed to excellence and collaboration. Jon and Michael are an exciting part of our growth strategy – they are ‘go-to’ advisors for many of the world’s leading private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on their most important, sophisticated matters,” said Michael J. Aiello, Chairman of Weil’s Corporate Department. “We have substantially expanded the scale and depth of our Private Equity Group in recent years – with the group doubling in size during my tenure - and their arrival reflects our commitment to continuing that trajectory. They strengthen our capabilities in California and further enhance our ability to serve clients across our global private equity platform.”

“We have built one the deepest Private Equity benches in the California market with 20 partners who focus on Private Equity clients,” said Kyle Krpata, Co-Head of Weil’s U.S. Private Equity Group, and Tana Ryan, the managing partner of Weil’s Los Angeles office. “Jon and Michael are outstanding lawyers with deep market relationships and a collaborative and team-oriented approach to client service, which we value. They are ideal additions to our growing California platform, and we look forward to continuing to build on our momentum in this important market.”

Jon joins Weil from Dechert LLP, where he served as Managing Partner of the firm’s San Francisco office and led its West Coast Private Equity practice. Michael joins Weil from Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where he served as a partner in the firm’s Private Equity practice.

“Weil has long been recognized as one of the world’s premier private equity firms, and the continued investment in their Private Equity platform in California has been truly amazing to watch,” Jon said. “The Firm’s collaborative culture and commitment to the Bay Area make this an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to joining this outstanding team.”

“I’m excited to join Weil’s growing private equity team in San Francisco and to be part of the Firm’s continued expansion in California,” Michael said. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues to help clients navigate their most significant transactions.”

About Weil’s Private Equity Practice

Weil’s global Private Equity practice is recognized by the industry as being one of only a very small number of elite market leaders in this field. Our clients include many of the highest-profile private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds, as well as family offices and other equity financial investors. Weil advises more than 300 private equity clients worldwide, ranging from middle-market buyout firms to each of the 10 largest global private equity funds and 8 of the 10 largest global private equity funds as ranked by PEI 300 2026. Our advice covers all aspects of the full life cycle of investments.

About Weil

Founded in 1931, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has been a preeminent provider of legal services for more than 90 years. With approximately 1,200 lawyers in offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in the marketplace and a first-mover in the establishment of many significant practice areas. The Firm’s four departments, Corporate, Litigation, Restructuring, and Tax, Executive Compensation & Benefits, and more than two dozen practice groups are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective fields.