Sullivan & Cromwell is stepping in to save eight trainees, three already at Weil’s London office and five set to begin next year, after the firm’s partners voted to shut down operations. This transfer will allow those professionals to continue their development at Sullivan & Cromwell instead.

The eight individuals will be added to Sullivan & Cromwell’s regular trainee intake, with no impact on those already mid-contract or who already have job offers there.

Normally, Sullivan & Cromwell hires about 15 trainees per year in London, offering a starting wage of £70,000, the highest in the market. This follows news that Latham & Watkins, another major US law firm, has also taken in five Weil trainees.

Both firms are part of a broader effort by top US and London-based legal practices to assist Weil’s trainees. The firm historically brought on around 15 new trainees annually, meaning nearly 30 were in their two-year programs when its financial struggles escalated.

Weil’s closure is now officially moving ahead after partners backed plans to wind down the 95-year-old US firm in a vote on Tuesday. Responsibility for overseeing the process will fall to a committee made up of the firm’s general counsel Robert Carangelo, tax partner Paul Wessel, and independent director Patricia Ferrari.

The firm’s management had already recommended closure last month amid a series of partner departures, failed merger talks, and leadership instability. The City of London Law Society has promised assistance for those affected, especially trainees and junior lawyers whose careers are now at risk.