leader lands at Goodwin as wind-down looms
Weil real estate co-leader lands at Goodwin as wind-down looms By David Thomas
Nov 3 (Reuters) - US law firm Goodwin Procter said Tuesday it has hired the co-leader of Weil, Gotshal & Manges' real estate practice, less than a week after Weil indicated it plans to wind down its operations.
Tom Henry is joining Goodwin's New York office as the co-leader of its real estate group, the firm said.
His departure from Weil is the latest since the prominent Wall Street firm's leadership recommended an orderly wind-down last week, capping escalating defections by senior lawyers in recent months and a failed merger bid. The partnership has yet to hold a formal dissolution vote.
A team of nearly 40 funds lawyers from Weil's London office, including the leaders of its private funds group there, are poised to join Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. Ramona Nee, a private equity partner who was once slated to take the reins as Weil's executive partner, is in talks with other Weil lawyers to join Kirkland & Ellis, multiple media outlets have reported. Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports.
Before last week, other Weil partners were poised to depart or had recently left the firm to join Cravath, Swaine & Moore; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Skadden Arps; Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Sullivan & Cromwell.
A Weil spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a statement released by his new firm, Henry praised Goodwin's strength in real estate and said he was looking forward to joining the team.
Henry has represented US real estate company Paramount Group in multiple matters, including the group's $2.29 billion IPO in 2014.
(Reporting by David Thomas)