Gibson Dunn set to hire nearly 40 lawyers from Weil’s London funds team

Dimitar Dimitrov is acting senior content and events coordinator at LawCareers.Net

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Gibson Dunn & Crutcher UK LLP is set to hire almost 40 lawyers from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP’s London private funds team in one of the most significant City team moves of the year, according to Law.com.

The move is expected to include eight partners and nearly 30 counsel and associates, led by London funds partners James Bromley and James Sargent.

Partners Philip Baynes, Fiona Cumming, Aron Joy, Marc Schubert, Sophie Smith and Jacquelyn Volpe are also expected to make the move.

The news comes as Weil’s management committee has reportedly recommended winding down the firm’s global operations. However, discussions between Gibson Dunn and the departing Weil lawyers are understood to have been taking place for almost a year, before news of Weil’s potential collapse emerged.

Gibson Dunn has reportedly made expanding its London funds practice a priority.

Bromley and Sargent have co-led Weil’s London private funds group since 2025. Bromley joined Weil in 2014 from private markets specialist Rede Partners, while Sargent joined from Clifford Chance in 2011.

The planned move follows a series of high-profile departures from Weil in London and internationally. M&A partner Mike Aiello left the firm in August, while Sullivan & Cromwell LLP hired Weil London co-head David Avery-Gee and partner Sarah Flaherty.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is also expected to hire Weil finance head Tom Richards alongside a team including Kai Zhang, while Paul, Weiss hired private equity partner Max Oppenheimer earlier this month.

It has also been reported by Law.com that Weil is working with several firms to find positions for associates and trainees, including Sullivan & Cromwell, Paul Weiss and DLA Piper UK LLP.

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