Weil has been ranked fifth overall among the Top 25 Innovative North America Law Firms in the Financial Times’ North America Innovative Lawyers Report 2016, released today.

In addition, Weil won the award for the legal expertise category “Managing Complexity and Scale” in recognition of the Firm’s work advising General Electric to coordinate and implement its corporate transformation. Nearly 400 lawyers from 17 of the Firm’s global offices had a role in the series of transactions that comprised the transformation, which was one of the largest ever and involved more than $100 billion in disposals and restructuring $205 billion in debt. The FT reports: “Lawyers gave GE confidence during the process, helping the business take risks in order to reinvent itself as a digital industrial company.”

Details of the Firm’s recognition in the various categories are as follows:

Managing Complexity and Scale – Weil earned “Standout” recognition for its role advising General Electric to coordinate and implement one of the largest-ever corporate transformations.

Managing Complexity and Scale – Weil was commended for its role advising Dow Chemical on its planned merger with DuPont and credited for helping to create a unique governance structure that will combine about 900 product lines.

Innovation in Unlocking and Delivering Value – Weil was commended for creating an overarching restructuring strategy to coordinate bankruptcy proceedings for Vantage Drilling in the U.S. and Cayman Islands, preserving the company’s value through a quick resolution.

Innovation in Social Responsibility: Pro Bono Cases – Weil was commended for its role in Ashker vs. Governor of California, in which the Firm helped to win a class action for prisoners at Pelican Bay prison who had been placed in long-term solitary confinement without due cause.

Supporting and Developing Talent – Weil was highly commended for its Beyond Weil program, which includes job newsletters, networking events and interview training for current and former Weil lawyers. The program is noted for building a valuable alumni network.

Award winners were chosen from nearly 300 submissions and nominations from firms throughout all of North America. The awards celebrate those lawyers who have “become change agents, who have innovated to connect people, transform business and challenge the status quo.”