Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
WEIL HOMECOMINGS 20 Former Attorneys Returned as Partners Since the Beginning of 2023 “ FOR US, IT’S A HUGE WIN.” Barry M. Wolf in The American Lawyer Recognizing Weil’s remarkable success in rehiring former attorneys as partners since the beginning of 2023, The American Lawyer reported on our Firm’s unique approach to building culture and cultivating lasting relationships that has resulted in this impressive rate of return. According to Executive Partner Barry Wolf, bringing back a former colleague is a significant victory. “For us, it’s a huge win,” he told the publication. “When you bring someone back, you know who the person is, and they know you. They know what we are and what we aren’t. That increases the likelihood of success.” “People leave firms for a variety of reasons,” Barry said, adding that a firm’s approach to a difficult departure can make the difference between that relationship remaining intact or being severed for good. Barry highlighted the story of Chris Machera, who left Weil as an associate in 2011. “When Chris was leaving, several people took him out for his ‘going away’ drinks. Michael J. Aiello pulled him aside and told him that he will always have a home here.” Chris rejoined the Firm in 2016 from Goldman Sachs and is now Co-Head of Weil’s U.S. Private Equity Group. Michael, also a returned partner, is Chairman of Weil’s 600+ lawyer Corporate Department. Barry explained that how a firm handles a departure can make all the difference, noting, “We always take the high road. We always talk well of people. We want them to have a positive experience even as they depart. We are not going to do anything to upset that.” Weil Homecomings | 3
Arnie Fridhandler Private Equity New York “Since Arnie returned to Weil, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, service and teamwork. Arnie’s passion for innovation is unparalleled, as exemplified by his leadership on industry-standouts DealVision360 and Weil Private Equity Sponsor Sync. Both of these groundbreaking initiatives are setting a new standard in providing clients with valuable, data-driven insights and cutting-edge legal developments, placing our PE team and Weil at large as the premier source for consistently current industry expertise and perspectives.” 01 Ramona Nee Why did you come home to Weil? I came home to Weil for the people and the platform. This is a firm where talent is dense, judgment travels fast and teams line up with our clients to win together. The One-Firm model makes collaboration feel effortless. The best idea always carries the day. We work at pace, we make our client’s goals a big deal, and, importantly, we have fun doing it. At Weil, teamwork + strategy = outcomes for clients and how we do it is the best in the business. What has been the best surprise since your return? The biggest learning: builders thrive here. If you have a hypothesis, you’re trusted to test it, staffed to scale it and expected to share it. That bias for action opens doors. To new client solutions, knowledge products and training for the next generation. Weil’s size and spirit mean bureaucracy doesn’t smother creativity. Excellence, purposefulness, innovation, creativity – these aren’t posters, they’re daily habits. For anyone who wants to push boundaries, this is the place. Epic. Weil Homecomings | 5
JeanChristophe David Finance Paris “JC back after 13 years! Time flies. We have grown from our respective experiences and sharing them enhances the unique Weil culture. Along came Géraldine Lezmi and the rest of their team. Smooth integration in a blink.” 02 Alexandre Duguay Why did you come home to Weil? I decided to come home to Weil because it combines excellence in the areas that matter most to me and my clients: Weil Paris is the go-to firm for private capital (private equity and private debt), and its top-tier restructuring practice perfectly complements my leveraged finance work. Beyond the platform, I was drawn back by the Firm’s entrepreneurial, collaborative and client-minded culture – values that have always resonated deeply with me and shaped the way I practice law. What has been the best surprise since your return? I left Weil as an associate. Upon returning as a partner, I’ve been genuinely impressed by the strength of the partner culture in the Paris office. The openness, trust and mutual support among partners go far beyond what I expected. It’s a true partnership where people share successes and help each other grow. Experiencing this level of collaboration has reinforced my belief that Weil’s culture is not only distinctive but also a key driver of its continued excellence and client success. Weil Homecomings | 7
Rebecca Grapsas Governance, Securities & Reporting Group Co-Leader – Sustainability and ESG Group New York 03 “We were thrilled to welcome Rebecca Grapsas back to Weil. As a longtime mentee of our founding partner and governance pioneer Ira Millstein, Rebecca’s deep expertise and visionary leadership in ESG made her unquestionably the person to spearhead our sustainability practice at that pivotal moment. Her return was a true homecoming.” Lyuba Goltser Why did you come home to Weil? I was thrilled to return to Weil in 2023 to help our clients and internal colleagues navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory developments relating to sustainability, which continues to be a complex and interesting area involving lawyers from across our global offices. Our cross-disciplinary group of exceptional lawyers position the Firm to provide full-service in this area to all our clients, including by anticipating their needs, and our cohesiveness means that we are able to do this seamlessly as One Firm. What has been the best surprise since your return? Weil has an extraordinary ability to adapt, grow and succeed in the face of major changes in the law firm environment, while at the same time strengthening the culture that has made it such a special place since I first started at the Firm 21 years ago – and why so many partners have come home to the Firm. Even as the Firm has evolved with partner retirements, lateral hires and new associates, the Firm continues to nurture legal excellence in a personalized and supportive way. Weil Homecomings | 9
Jacqui Bogucki Private Equity Houston “It has been a pleasure to have Jacqui back as a key contributor to our Private Equity team. She has deep experience across the types of deals we do and we have worked closely together to build one of our new and growing sponsor relationships.” 04 Kyle Krpata Why did you come home to Weil? I came back because of the team. Weil is a place where collaboration is not just a buzzword, it is how we deliver exceptional client service. I saw real opportunity to grow, contribute and help drive outcomes that matter to our clients, as well as help with building out a deep bench of exceptional private equity talent. The culture of teamwork and shared commitment to excellence made the opportunity to return compelling. What has been the best surprise since your return? The best surprise has been how quickly I have been able to step into new challenges/roles and grow both personally and professionally. I have learned to push past my comfort zone and take on more in ways I had not had the opportunity before. It has been personally rewarding to see how that growth directly contributes to a stronger team and better outcomes for our clients. Growth happens fastest when you lean in and say yes. Weil Homecomings | 11
Max Scott Technology & IP Transactions San Francisco 05 Karen Ballack “Words cannot express how absolutely thrilled we are to have Max ‘back home,’ especially as Weil continues to expand its presence in California. Max is an exceptional, talented lawyer and an overall great person who cares deeply about his clients and colleagues and, not surprisingly, slid seamlessly back into the work and culture of the TIPT Group and the Firm with enthusiasm and energy that is infectious. I am incredibly happy and proud to now call Max, who left us as a young associate, my partner.” Why did you come home to Weil? I came back to Weil because as soon as I started talking to Weil lawyers again during the lateral interviewing process I was immediately struck by how seamless I knew it would be to reintegrate to the Firm – everyone was so smart, poised and collaborative, and all of the positive factors stemming from a partnership that values these traits were immediately apparent. During the years I was gone there were changes at the Firm, but the ethos (and all of the things I missed) were still here in spades. What has been the best surprise since your return? The best mentality is the fact that Weil has been able to preserve its culture despite all of the changes in the market, and that Weil’s growth mentality seems (to me) to be sustainable and well thought out. I’ve also loved re-connecting with everyone that I saw in the halls a decade ago and reminiscing on everything that has happened in the intervening years. It’s also been great to meet all of the new members of Weil who have joined since I first left and to see them being the stewards and builders of what Weil’s culture is and will be in the upcoming years. Weil Homecomings | 13
Sunny Singh Co-Chair – Restructuring New York “Sunny’s return as a leader in our Department and across Weil has been exciting for our Firm and our clients. Sunny is an exceptional lawyer with a proven track record in guiding clients through complex corporate restructurings and turnarounds. He is uniquely positioned to continue Weil’s reputation as the ‘gold standard’ for innovation for years to come.” 06 Matt Barr Why did you come home to Weil? It was an easy decision. We have a world-renowned restructuring practice, and I was mentored at Weil by legends and titans in the field. You really can’t match Weil Restructuring. Our team has lived and breathed restructuring matters for our entire careers, as have our colleagues in Corporate, Litigation and Tax. There is an unmatched level of collaboration throughout the Firm that enables us to deliver innovative solutions for our clients. What has been the best surprise since your return? Joining Weil’s leadership – both as a member of our global Management Committee and Co-Chair of the Restructuring Department – has been fascinating to me. I was drawn to the restructuring field because it provides great insight into how companies operate. It’s even more compelling to have this vantage point within my own organization, thinking about practice and geographic growth and helping to steer other decisions that will position us for future success. Weil Homecomings | 15
Thomas Mastoras Banking & Finance New York 07 “Having Tom back in our Banking practice has been nothing short of extraordinary. He’s an incredible partner and cultural carrier who delivers exceptional client service every day.” Andrew Colao Why did you come home to Weil? Returning to Weil in my mind was never an “if.” It was only a “when” question. So, when the opportunity arose – it was an immediate yes. This was driven by two key things. Number one, the people and the culture. The opportunity to practice with the lawyers I worked with and who trained me – many of whom I consider to be great personal friends as well as partners and colleagues – was just too good to pass up. Number two, the Weil platform and the energy around it. Weil is in growth mode. There is real energy among the team here, and I cannot think of a better place to deliver top notch service to our clients and to do it with some of the most talented people in the legal industry. What has been the best surprise since your return? The best surprise since returning has been just how seamless and energizing the collaboration has been. Integration is often a challenge for both the law firm making the strategic hire and the new arrival – but everyone from partners to junior team members here show a genuine willingness to support each other and to collaborate. Rejoining Weil reminded me how special that is. Weil Homecomings | 17
Tom Hashagen Banking & Finance New York 08 “I’ve known Tom since we were junior associates together through his time spent running the Loan Negotiation Group at Goldman Sachs, one of our marquee clients. Tom exemplifies what it means to be a team player – thoughtful, commercial and proactive. We are ecstatic to have him back on the home team and know he’ll continue to deliver the Weil ‘Wow Factor’ for years to come.” Justin D. Lee Why did you come home to Weil? Coming back to Weil was a no-brainer for me. Weil has an incredible array of talented and dedicated lawyers both in the Banking & Finance Group where I sit and throughout the entire Firm. Additionally, the culture of collegiality and collaboration at Weil is truly unique and sets us apart from other law firms. The combination of those factors results in a Firm where I am proud to work because I know we can deliver clients the very best service and outcomes. What has been the best surprise since your return? It has been great to see how much Weil people support each other in broadening and deepening client relationships and drive together toward the right results for clients. In today’s financing market, clients may not know which product makes the most sense for a transaction at outset and a firm that can pivot and provide the right staffing and expertise as transactions evolve is more important than ever. That versatility and client-focus that Weil offers makes it a special place to work. Weil Homecomings | 19
Liza Cotter Technology & IP Transactions Privacy & Cybersecurity Boston and New York 09 “Liza and I grew up together as associates here at Weil. Bringing her home to the privacy practice was a no-brainer. We have a shared set of experiences and vocabulary that make us so aligned on our values and goals for the practice that her reentry has been seamless, and I’m thrilled that we get to continue to build together.” Olivia Greer Why did you come home to Weil? Once Team Weil, always Team Weil. The Firm is defined by its pervasive growth mindset. Attorneys here don’t just adapt to change; they embrace it, leveraging every opportunity to innovate and build. As the legal landscape evolves – especially with transformative technologies such as AI – this entrepreneurship and drive is key to success. Coupled with its inclusive and collaborative culture, Weil isn’t just a workplace; it’s a community. What has been the best surprise since your return? How Weil is simultaneously very different and very much the same. The same in that the Weil community remains as tight-knit, welcoming and collegial as it has always been; different in that Weil has expanded its capabilities and reach in important ways, including with new practice groups and office locations. Additionally, while it’s not so much of a surprise to me, I am impressed by how seamlessly I’ve been reintegrated into the Weil team and onto the Weil platform. It’s genuinely as if I never left. Weil Homecomings | 21
Simon Saitowitz Private Equity London 10 “Over a decade ago, I was assigned to Simon as his very first trainee associate. Observing his incredible work ethic combined with his remarkable sense of balance back then was inspiring to a young lawyer trying to figure everything out. I was truly thrilled to hear that Simon was coming home to Weil and our colleagues and clients are very fortunate to have him back on board.” Jenna McBain Why did you come home to Weil? I started my career at Weil and grew up learning from the absolute best in the business – a team with immense energy and who truly love what they do. There is no firm on the planet that has this special combination of awesome people and commitment to excellence. Very quickly after leaving I realized that nowhere else comes close – that made returning home the easiest career decision I’ve ever had to make! What has been the best surprise since your return? To see a business that you didn’t think could be better – be even better. We have a new generation of leaders who are taking Weil to the next level – building on the strongest foundations in the industry. It’s also amazing to see just how many faces are the same – a genuine testament to a Firm that looks after its people. Weil Homecomings | 23
Philip Baynes Private Funds London 11 “Our clients require increasingly innovative and complicated solutions to navigate a continually evolving, demanding and complex fundraising landscape. Phil is perfectly suited to guide clients through these challenges – razor sharp, unflappable, creative and a consummate team player, with a wealth of wide ranging experience thrown into the mix!” James Sargent Why did you come home to Weil? There are a number of reasons but primarily it’s down to the people and the platform. My relationship with the Firm has remained strong during my time away and it’s a testament to Weil’s culture that it maintains such excellent ties with its alumni. Rejoining a fantastic group of people and a market-leading funds practice in a firm with exceptional private capital credentials was a complete no-brainer and it’s great to be back! What has been the best surprise since your return? I’ve been hugely impressed by the level of collaboration – both within and between teams and across the different offices. Everyone is wholly focused on the success of the Firm as a whole and how to best serve our clients and grow relationships across the network. As part of the onboarding process I had discussions with a large number of partners from a variety of practices and offices and the level of buy-in to Weil’s collaborative culture, and how this forms the bedrock of its strategy, was compelling. Weil Homecomings | 25
Doug Lumish Co-Head – IP, Technology & Science Litigation Silicon Valley and San Francisco 12 “Doug is a world-class trial lawyer and provides exceptional service to our clients. We’re also really good friends, so it’s a joy to work alongside someone so dedicated, creative and innovative in this practice. He brings incredible energy and strategic insight to every case, and his instincts are unmatched when we’re tackling matters. Having Doug as a partner and a friend makes all the difference.” Jeff Homrig Why did you come home to Weil? This is both a homecoming and a new beginning – I could not be more excited to be part of Weil’s strategic nationwide build of the IP, Technology & Science Litigation practice. This is a dual opportunity to be on the ground floor of something very special and to come back to a Firm I love. What has been the best surprise since your return? I’ve found that some things never change. There is something intangible about being a Weil lawyer. I started my legal career here. Weil’s uniquely collaborative environment remains the same, supporting each other to develop creative solutions to the most complex matters. Everyone is – then, and now – focused on doing whatever it takes to get the best results for the client and to have fun while doing it. It’s the best combination. Weil Homecomings | 27
Jeff Homrig Co-Head – IP, Technology & Science Litigation Austin, Dallas and Houston 13 “I’ve been working with Jeff for 25 years, teaming up with him is the cherry on top of coming back to Weil. We’re able to communicate very naturally and efficiently to get the job done. He is one of the best trial lawyers, brief writers and analytical thinkers that I’ve ever seen in my life. When you’re doing those 19- or 20-hour days before a trial, we’re still going to have fun together. There’s something really powerful about that.” Doug Lumish Why did you come home to Weil? Coming back just made sense. This Firm has such an elite IP litigation platform, so many of the world’s most innovative companies turn to Weil. I’m thrilled to come back at the helm of this exciting work, and to see so many familiar faces working side-by-side to tackle issues for our clients. I learned how to be a lawyer here, learning from only the best in the industry, and that guidance has been a North Star for my career ever since. What has been the best surprise since your return? This is the best time to be navigating and trying complex, high-stakes technology and life sciences cases – and it’s no surprise that Weil lawyers are up to the job. Tech is moving at a head-spinning rate. The advances we’ve seen in AI are particularly exceptional, and we are at an inflection point akin to what we saw with the advent of the web, the smartphone and the internet of things. Our team is perfectly positioned to help clients with their most difficult legal challenges in all of these spaces. Weil Homecomings | 29
Joseph Lee IP, Technology & Science Litigation Los Angeles 14 “I have worked closely with Joe for more than 15 years and am excited to be working with him again. Joe is a talented litigator with dynamic skills, expert judgment and a passion for solving complex problems. He brings energy and creativity to every matter, and he fits seamlessly into the collaborative, innovative direction of our practice.” Doug Lumish Why did you come home to Weil? I’ve always had warm feelings for my prior time at Weil. I knew that Weil was working on expanding its presence both in California and in the intellectual property space in exciting ways, and so when the opportunity came up for me to return, it felt like an easy decision to make. What has been the best surprise since your return? One of the biggest surprises is the lack of surprise. By that, I mean that the legal industry has changed significantly since I was last at Weil, and of course Weil has adapted and grown during that time too. But what I quickly learned when coming back is that the core of what makes Weil so successful hasn’t changed. I attribute a lot of that to the people at Weil, many of whom I remembered from my last stint. I think it says a lot that Weil is filled with folks who have been at the Firm for a long time and affirms that Weil is a place that people call home. Weil Homecomings | 31
Nate Christensen Private Equity Dallas 15 “Nate coming home to Weil speaks volumes about Nate and the culture that we’ve built and nurtured at Weil. Nate is a superb lawyer, counselor and friend, and our colleagues and clients will love having him back.” David Gail Why did you come home to Weil? I returned for the collaborative team approach, culture of excellence and entrepreneurial spirit. Weil is a special place where all good ideas are welcome and ambitious goals are achievable. We create value by providing commercially-oriented, strategic advice and truly partnering with our clients. That’s all part of the Weil DNA that I frankly did not fully appreciate until I worked with other firms as a general counsel. What has been the best surprise since your return? The best surprise is our entrepreneurial approach to the changing landscape of our industry. We are thoughtfully and strategically embracing artificial intelligence in ways that leverage our marketleading Private Equity practice to deliver insights and additional value to clients. Our future is bright, and I am grateful to return to this dynamic and innovative team. Weil Homecomings | 33
Anne Seymour Banking & Finance Boston 16 “Since Anne was a first year associate, she’s been smart, agile, hard-working and a consummate team player. She’s a tremendous asset to the Banking & Finance Group and the Firm more generally, and we couldn’t be more delighted to have her back, now as our partner.” Benton Lewis Why did you come home to Weil? I started my career at Weil in New York and always considered it the best possible place to learn how to be a lawyer in Big Law. The mentors and peers I worked with then remained the blueprint for training and client service even after I left. When the opportunity arose to return and help expand the Firm’s Finance practice into Boston, it was an easy yes. Weil’s platform is unmatched: a premier Private Equity practice, true crosspractice collaboration and a culture where talented people genuinely root for each other. What has been the best surprise since your return? The energy. The momentum in the Boston office is palpable – new partners arriving and client relationships forming, all building on marquee clients and the collegial spirit that have long been hallmarks of the Boston office. What surprised me most is how natural the return felt from day one, even in a different office. The collaborative culture and focus on excellence that I remembered are still here, only now they are matched by a growth mindset that make every day exciting. Weil Homecomings | 35
Kamyar Abrar Co-Head, German Private Equity Frankfurt 17 “This was a clear and natural choice for us both. Kamyar is one of the finest lawyers in the market and he will immediately scale our capabilities on large, complex and strategic private equity deals, being key for us to drive our next phase of growth.” Sebastian Pauls Why did you come home to Weil? Weil is where my career started and where my professional standards were set: intensity, precision and excellence. It has never been one firm among many for me. It has always been the reference point for PE at the highest level. After years at another leading law firm, where I built one of the most dynamic PE platforms in the German market, the opportunity to return to Weil to lead the practice together with Sebastian felt like the logical next step. PE is at an inflection point: returns driven by real value creation, transactions more complex and increasingly cross-border. Weil is built for exactly this moment, and Sebastian and I are built for each other. What has been the best surprise since your return? How fast the market noticed. Sebastian and I are a genuine partnership: complementary in style, aligned on ambition and between us we cover the full spectrum of what top sponsors need today. There is no comparable team at this level in the German market right now. What I had not fully anticipated was the energy that comes from reuniting with people you already know and trust. Colleagues like Benjamin Rapp have returned around the same time, and when you walk back into a team where the connections already run deep, something clicks immediately. There is even a certain pleasure in working alongside people who shaped you early on: the dynamic shifts, and that shift turns out to be genuinely fun. The gears mesh from day one. That kind of chemistry is not something you can build from scratch. You either have it or you don’t. Weil Homecomings | 37
18 Peng Yu Corporate Hong Kong “I have known Peng well since I joined Weil Asia in 2009 and we are all very pleased to have Peng return home in 2026. Widely recognized as a leading Private Equity lawyer in Asia, Peng’s return to Weil further strengthens our leading PE platform in Asia and globally. Peng retains all the attributes of a Weil partner – the strive for excellence both individually and as part of a collaborative and cohesive team – and I look forward to continuing to work with him to drive success for our clients in Asia and around the world.” Henry Ong Why did you come home to Weil? This was driven by the Firm’s global reputation for its premier practices, but more importantly, its unique “OneFirm” collegial culture. For like-minded professionals, this collaborative environment is a significant draw. And having known the Hong Kong team for years, the deep sense of trust and familiarity I share with them made coming back feel like a natural “homecoming.” It is a privilege to rejoin a team where professional expertise and personal rapport are well-aligned. What has been the best surprise since your return? In many ways, the best surprise has been the lack of surprises; the Firm remains as principled and cohesive as ever. And it has been particularly impressive to see the efforts by leadership to further integrate the Asia team into the global network. This seamless connectivity ensures that we are not just a regional office, but a truly vital part of the Firm’s international strategy. Weil Homecomings | 39
19 “We are particularly delighted about the return of Benjamin, the best the market has to offer in the field of transaction tax. He remained closely connected to us personally even after his departure, and we are thrilled to have him back on board. Together, we are taking the Tax practice to the next level.” Tobias Geerling Why did you come home to Weil? I grew up at Weil – it’s where I learned the craft and became partner – so coming back feels less like a move and more like unfinished business. What pulled me back was the unique combination of trusted friendships, a truly global platform and the opportunity to help build something meaningful. Conversations with Tobias Geerling, a mentor and close friend, the new team members and another homecoming partner Kamyar Abrar reinforced that now is the right moment. Weil Germany has huge momentum – and I want to be part of accelerating that growth story. What has been the best surprise since your return? The sheer level of energy and belief has been striking. From the first conversations onwards, there was a genuine sense that people are not just maintaining a great Firm but actively building the next chapter. That entrepreneurial mindset – combined with a very real “One Weil” culture – is powerful. There’s alignment, ambition and speed. It feels like a platform ready to scale, and I’m excited to help turn that collective momentum into sustained growth for Weil in Germany. Benjamin Rapp Head, German Tax Munich Weil Homecomings | 41
Iliana Karaoglan Mergers & Acquisitions New York 20 “During her earlier tenure at Weil, Iliana worked with many of the Firm’s most important corporate clients, forming strong relationships with in-house legal and business teams. She embodies the professionalism, substantive excellence and culture of mentorship that define Weil, and we are thrilled to have her back at the Firm.” Michael J. Aiello Why did you come home to Weil? I grew up professionally at Weil, working alongside exceptional mentors who shaped the way I practice and the kind of advisor and teammate I strive to be. I was fortunate to work with terrific clients and to be part of one of the premier M&A practices in the market. Equally important, many of my closest friends and most meaningful professional relationships were built here. When the opportunity arose, returning felt remarkably natural and was a chance to rejoin a team and culture that have always been special to me. What has been the best surprise since your return? The best surprise has been how quickly everything clicked back into place. I expected there would be a transition, but instead it felt like a continuation. Reconnecting with longtime colleagues and friends, while also getting to know lawyers who joined during my time away, made it feel less like a return and more like picking up a conversation that had simply been paused. Weil Homecomings | 43
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