Weil Gotshal & Manges
A US firm known for private equity, restructuring, and high-stakes litigation
About Weil Gotshal & Manges
Weil Gotshal & Manges is an American law firm founded in New York in 1931 by Frank Weil, Sylvan Gotshal, and Horace Manges. With approximately 1,200 lawyers across 15 offices globally, the firm generated revenue of $2.02 billion in 2025. The London office is a significant part of the firm's European operations, known for its private equity, finance, and restructuring practices.
Weil recruits all of its London trainees through its vacation scheme — there is no direct training contract route. The firm runs two back-to-back two-week vacation schemes in spring, with up to 13 places on each scheme. With only 15 trainees per year, the intake is deliberately small — every trainee is visible, accountable, and takes on significant responsibility from day one. The firm describes itself as operating on a "one firm" principle across its global network.
Weil funds SQE preparation in full via BPP and provides a £20,000 maintenance grant per year of study. PGDL fees are also funded. Trainees are paid £750 per week during the vacation scheme.
Practice areas & rankings
Weil achieved 13 practice area rankings in Chambers UK 2026. The firm is consistently ranked for private equity, restructuring, and finance. At the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards 2024, its London Restructuring team won in the “Innovative Lawyers in Restructuring” category for advising on Zambia’s sovereign debt restructuring. More recently, at the 2025 awards, Weil was shortlisted again, both the firm and Partner Jenine Hulsmann in the Innovative Practitioner and Restructuring categories for their work on Ukraine's sovereign debt restructuring.
Private equity
Weil's defining practice globally and in London. The firm acts for some of the world's largest private equity sponsors on fund formation, buyouts, portfolio management, and exits. Consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers for private equity across multiple jurisdictions.
Restructuring and insolvency
Weil is considered one of the leading firms globally for complex debt restructurings. The London restructuring team handles major cross-border restructurings for financial institutions, sponsors, and creditors.
Finance
A strong finance practice covering leveraged finance, acquisition finance, and fund finance for private equity clients. Works closely with the private equity team on major sponsor transactions.
Litigation and disputes
A prominent disputes practice handling complex commercial litigation, international arbitration, and regulatory investigations for major clients across financial services, private equity, and technology.
Corporate and M&A
A strong transatlantic corporate practice advising on high-value M&A transactions, with particular strength in cross-border deals involving US and English law — reflecting the firm's integrated one-firm approach.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
The online application form asks for academic background and basic personal details. Academic requirements are AAB at A-level or equivalent and a 2:1 degree (predicted or obtained). Mitigating circumstances are considered and the Rare contextualised recruitment system is used to measure performance relative to the candidate's school average. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
How to answer why youWeil Gotshal & Manges: quick answers
How much does Weil Gotshal & Manges pay trainees?
Weil Gotshal & Manges pays first-year trainees £60,000, rising to £65,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Weil Gotshal & Manges earn £170,000.
When is the Weil Gotshal & Manges vacation scheme deadline?
Weil Gotshal & Manges runs more than one vacation scheme round in the 2026/27 cycle: the summer scheme closes on 1 Dec and the spring scheme closes on 1 Dec. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Weil Gotshal & Manges take on?
Weil Gotshal & Manges takes on around ±15 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Weil Gotshal & Manges use in its applications?
Following the application form, candidates are invited to complete an online assessment made up of scenario-based, numerical, and verbal questions aligned with Weil's assessment competencies. The assessment is designed to reveal potential rather than experience — looking for intellect, creativity, and fresh thinking in real-world situations. No legal knowledge or prior experience is required. The assessment is untimed but typically takes around 45 minutes.
What grades do you need to apply to Weil Gotshal & Manges?
To apply to Weil Gotshal & Manges you will generally need a 2:1 degree. At A-level, Weil Gotshal & Manges asks for AAB. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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