NEW YORK, DECEMBER 9, 2024: International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is pleased to announce that The University of Chicago Law School has joined the Firm’s multi-stakeholder public service initiative, the Weil Legal Innovators (WLI) Program, now celebrating its fifth anniversary.

The program is unique among law school fellowships in that admitted students defer their first year of study at one of WLI’s 12 partner law schools to complete one year of public service at a WLI nonprofit partner organization. The program offers these rising law students a rare opportunity to work on some of the most pressing social and legal challenges at leading nonprofits. The Innovators will focus on issues of gender equality, human rights, racial justice and ESG, among others.

“We could not build this robust public-private partnership without the support of law schools like The University of Chicago,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf. “We thank them for their unwavering commitment to developing future attorneys who are socially conscious, innovative and entrepreneurial, as well as for their continued enthusiasm for philanthropy and public service.”

“We are excited to join the Weil Legal Innovators Program and support our students in exploring the transformative impact of public service at the beginning of their legal careers,” said Thomas J. Miles, Dean of the University of Chicago Law School. “This partnership aligns with our mission to educate well-rounded, analytical and socially conscious lawyers and leaders. We are excited to see our future students participate in this program and bring their experiences and perspectives to their legal educations.”

Each Innovator will receive a $60,000 salary and full benefits package for their engagement. Upon starting law school, they will receive a $10,000 scholarship toward first-year academic tuition. Weil provides robust professional development and mentorship opportunities throughout the program. The nonprofit partners also receive a $40,000 charitable contribution to help cover operating expenses and costs associated with onboarding the Innovators.

In developing this industry-leading initiative, Weil aims to develop the next generation of future leaders in the legal profession, in particular, cultivating leaders with an understanding of, and experience in, tackling the many social, economic and legal inequities afflicting society today. The program prepares Innovators for a successful future career in the legal profession enriched by a diversity of cross-sector and cross-industry experiences.

The WLI initiative is made possible by an annual investment of more than $1 million from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

For more information, please visit https://www.weil.com/weil-legal-innovators.

About Weil’s Citizenship Commitment

Weil is committed to engaging as a responsible corporate citizen in the communities where we live and work. The Firm’s corporate citizenship footprint is brought to bear through Weil’s longstanding community engagement; diversity, equity and inclusion; pro bono legal service; and charitable contributions programs, including the Weil Foundation.

About Weil

Founded in 1931, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has been a preeminent provider of legal services for more than 90 years. With approximately 1,200 lawyers in offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in the marketplace and a first-mover in the establishment of many significant practice areas. The Firm’s four departments, Corporate, Litigation, Restructuring, and Tax, Executive Compensation & Benefits, and more than two dozen practice groups are consistently recognized as leaders in their respective fields.