City of London Law Society Pledges Support for Weil Trainees

Around 30 trainees at Weil's London office are searching for new firms after the City of London Law Society (CLLS) pledged support for junior lawyers facing the elite US firm's imminent closure.

The CLLS announced its backing on 29 October 2026, following news that Weil, Gotshal & Manges is preparing to wind down its operations. Colin Passmore, the society's chairman, set out the position in unusually direct terms.

"Our primary concern is everyone at Weil's office, particularly the trainees and junior lawyers here in London, who will understandably be anxious about what these latest developments mean for their careers," Passmore said.

He added: "As we have demonstrated when others have faced difficulties in the past, the CLLS is steadfast in its support to City law firms and their people, and will look to provide guidance however it can when the need arises."

Why is Weil closing?

Weil's management committee has recommended an "orderly wind-down" of the firm. Partners are expected to vote on the proposal within days.

The recommendation follows a turbulent period for the New York-founded firm. Recent months brought a string of senior departures, failed merger talks and sustained uncertainty over its leadership. The vote, one suspects, will not be close.

What happens to the London office?

The picture for London staff is stark:

• The office is expected to close on 31 December 2026
• London-based associates have been told they will receive a 90-day payout
• The City operation houses around 200 lawyers, including 45 partners
• More than 120 business services staff also face the wind-down
• Weil recruits around 15 trainees per year in London, per the 2027 Legal Cheek Firms Most List

With a two-year training contract structure, that intake level means roughly 30 trainees are currently working through the programme. The closure also leaves questions over those holding training contract offers for upcoming intakes.

What does the pledge mean in practice?

For practitioners, the CLLS commitment signals an open door. The society has previously stepped in when City firms collapsed or restructured, offering guidance to affected lawyers and helping place juniors elsewhere. Trainees mid-contract will need to secure new training principal arrangements to qualify under the Solicitors Qualifying Examination framework, and early engagement with the society will ease that process.

Weil has said it remains committed to supporting its colleagues during the wind-down process. That commitment now has a closing date: 31 December.

The takeaway: 30 trainees, 200 lawyers and one orderly wind-down — the City's professional body has arrived with a safety net.