Weil's Black Partners

Leaders and Changemakers

Weil is proudly the professional home of an accomplished, dynamic community of Black partners who are all go-to advisors in their fields and mentors to future generations of leaders. We remain steadfast and passionate in our commitment to attracting, retaining and developing the most talented and diverse practitioners in our profession.

Learn more about the work of our Black partners.

Latest News

Weil’s Black partners span four of our global offices and eight practice areas.

Five of our Black partners hold Firm leadership positions:

Chantale Fiebig is Co-Managing Partner of our Washington, D.C. office and is a member of our Global Leadership and Strategy and Management Committees
Barry Fishley is Head of our London Technology & IP Transactions practice
Adé Heyliger serves as Chair of our global Inclusion Committee
Bambo Obaro is Co-Managing Partner of our Silicon Valley office
Jannelle Seales is Co-Head of our Real Estate practice

Ade Heyliger

“As Inclusion Committee Chair and one of Weil’s proud Black partners, I am gratified that our Firm stands out for nurturing a culture of equity and inclusion. We work closely with our colleagues every day to strengthen an environment where all feel comfortable and encouraged to excel.

The success stories and insights highlighted on this site are just a few examples of what can result from shared values and ongoing collaboration, but we never lose focus on making further progress. I encourage you to learn more about Weil’s commitment to Inclusion.”

Chantale Barry Interview

In the inaugural episode of Weil’s new podcast series Leaders, Barry Wolf talks with Chantale Fiebig – Co-Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office, as well as a member of the Firm’s Global Leadership and Strategy and Management Committees – about her role at Weil, trends she is seeing with clients in the marketplace and her personal leadership style, among other topics.

Watch the video on Weil.com, Apple or Spotify.

Marsha and Jannelle

Marsha Simms: The Iconic Career of a Weil Legend

In 1987, Marsha Simms became the first Black partner at Weil. She helped develop our Banking practice, representing some of the Firm’s biggest clients at the time. She was also a member of the Hiring Committee for more than a decade, paying particular focus to the recruitment of lawyers of color.

In this video interview, Jannelle Seales speaks with Marsha about her profound impact on Weil and the law.

Latest News

Laura Wilkinson is Senior Director, Associate General Counsel - Global Antitrust at PayPal and has nearly 40 years of experience in antitrust law focusing on mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances. Laura was a partner in our Antitrust group in Washington, D.C., where she was lead antitrust counsel for numerous multibillion-dollar transactions, successfully obtaining merger clearance from the FTC and Justice Department.

In this edition of the Weil Alumni Interview Series, Kristin Sanford, a partner in Weil’s global Antitrust group and based in our Washington, D.C. office, spoke with Laura about her distinguished career in antitrust law. They discussed her success in both public and private sectors, her role at PayPal, and her work in diversity and inclusion.

Latest News

Weil’s Black partners are frequent contributors of legal insights and are regularly featured on our blogs and in industry publications. Additionally, Trey Muldrow serves as a member of Law360’s 2025 Private Equity Editorial Advisory Board.

Recent highlights include:

SEC Issues Concept Release Seeking Comment on the Definition of Foreign Private Issuer – Adé Heyliger (June 2025)

Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Fifth Circuit’s “Moment of the Threat” Doctrine, Resolving Circuit Split – Chantale Fiebig (May 2025)

Recent SEC and DOJ Enforcement Actions and Charges Signal that AI-Washing is Firmly Within the Crosshairs of the Trump Administration – Adé Heyliger (May 2025)

What the SEC’s Revocation of Delegated Authority Means for Investigations: Key Takeaways – Adé Heyliger (March 2025)

Further Update: Treasury Department Limits Enforcement Of Corporate Transparency Act To Foreign Reporting Companies – Adé Heyliger (March 2025)

SEC Staff Issues New Guidance for Rule 14a-8 No-Action Review: Reinstates Need for “Nexus” between Social Policy Issues and the Company’s Business – Adé Heyliger (February 2025)

Further Update: Corporate Transparency Act Back in Effect as District Court Lifts Injunction – Adé Heyliger (February 2025)

Antitrust in Trump 2.0: Expect Gap Filling From State Attorneys General – Bambo Obaro (January 2025)

Eight Trends and Predictions Following PE's Late 2024 Surge – Trey Muldrow (January 2025)

Further Update: Federal Court Reinstates Nationwide Injunction of Corporate Transparency Act – Filings Not Required – Adé Heyliger (December 2024)

Further Update: Federal Court Reinstates Corporate Transparency Act – Filing Deadlines Extended Briefly – Adé Heyliger (December 2024)

Federal Court Blocks Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act – Adé Heyliger (December 2024)

Antitrust Enforcement in Trump’s Second Term: Policy Changes, Enforcement Priorities, and Leadership Turnover – Kristin Sanford (November 2024)

New HSR Rules, and Impact of Change in Administration – Kristin Sanford (November 2024)

Nasdaq Governance Requirements Update: Rule Changes Clarify Phase-In Schedules and Cure Periods for Key Board Requirements – Adé Heyliger (October 2024)

New Deadlines for Schedule 13G Filers Take Effect on September 30, 2024 – Adé Heyliger (September 2024)

International Data Transfers: Back in the Spotlight – Barry Fishley (September 2024)

Latest News

Weil’s Black partners are recognized as leaders in their respective fields by the business and legal press. Our partners have recently earned the following distinctions:

Chantale Fiebig was named a finalist for “D.C. Managing Partner of the Year” at the National Law Journal’s 2024 Legal Awards, and was recognized as a “Winning Litigator” at the National Law Journal’s 2023 Legal Awards. She was also recognized as “Managing Partner of the Year” at Corporate Counsel’s 2023 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards, and was shortlisted for “Litigator of the Year” by Euromoney Legal Media Group in its 2023 Women in Business Law Americas Awards. Additionally, Chantale was named among Lawdragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America from 2023 to 2025, and among its 500 Leading Litigators in America for 2026.

Barry Fishley was ranked among the “Top Intellectual Property Lawyers in EMEA” in MergerLinks 2021 League Tables.

Adé Heyliger was named to Lawdragon’s inaugural 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management list in 2025. In 2023 and 2024, he was named among the NACD Directorship 100 honorees, an annual list recognizing the most influential people in the boardroom. He was previously named among Savoy Magazine’s “2022 Most Influential Black Lawyers,” and to the 2022 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll in recognition of his significant contribution of pro bono legal services.

Trey Muldrow was named among the “Most Influential Lawyers” by Savoy Magazine (2024), and a “Notable Diverse Leader in Law” by Crain’s New York Business (2022).

Bambo Obaro was named among Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America for 2026, and to the publication’s 500 X – The Next Generation list in 2024. He was previously named to the Daily Journal’s 2024 “Top 100 Lawyers” list and to Benchmark Litigation’s “40 & Under Hot List” in both 2021 and 2022.

Kristin Sanford was named to Lawdragon’s inaugural 500 X – The Next Generation list (2024-2025).

Jannelle Seales was the recipient of the Jonathan Weiss and László Nagy Mentoring Award during Weil’s 2024 Mentoring Week, in recognition of her dedicated contributions to mentoring and the development of Weil’s global lawyers. She was also named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Real Estate Lawyers list (2024-2025), and shortlisted for “Real Estate Lawyer of the Year” by Euromoney Legal Media Group in its Women in Business Law Americas Awards for 2023 and 2024.

Martin Weatherston-Wilson was named to The Lawyer’s 2025 Hot 100 list, and was also recognized as a 2024 Private Equity Rising Star by Law.com International.

Latest News

In honor of Black History Month in 2024, Chantale Fiebig – Co-Managing Partner of our Washington, D.C. office and partner in our Complex Commercial Litigation practice – welcomed Laurie Robinson Haden to discuss practical tools and strategies for conquering limiting beliefs, unlocking individual potential and thriving in the world of work.

Laurie is an award-winning attorney who has dedicated her career to helping lawyers and professionals overcome obstacles and live a life of purpose and fulfillment through her work as Founder and CEO of Corporate Counsel Women of Color Entrepreneurs.

Practice Area QAs

Weil partners across our U.S. offices shared valuable insights with Vault in a series of Practice Area Q&As, providing firsthand insight into their chosen area of law, the clients they represent, and the various career opportunities for associates on their teams. Learn about working on prominent corporate, litigation and restructuring matters at Weil.

Read the full profiles.