Willkie Farr & Gallagher Cuts San Francisco Staff, Offers Retention Bonuses to Summer Associates
By Legal Affairs Correspondent
Published August 15, 2025
San Francisco, CA – Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, a prominent Am Law 30 law firm, has laid off at least five staff members from its San Francisco office, a move attributed to a significant exodus of approximately 20 attorneys to Cooley LLP in June 2025, according to sources familiar with the matter. The firm also announced retention bonuses for its 2025 summer associates, signaling efforts to stabilize its workforce amid ongoing challenges in the Bay Area office, which opened in 2019 to serve California’s technology sector.
Staff Reductions Follow Attorney Departures
The layoffs, reported by The Recorder and confirmed via X posts from @RecorderTweets and @lawdotcom, come in the wake of a high-profile departure of seven partners and several associates from Willkie’s San Francisco litigation team to Cooley LLP. The exiting partners, including Simona Agnolucci and Benedict Hur, who helped establish the office, cited Willkie’s controversial $100 million pro bono deal with the Trump administration as a key factor. The agreement, intended to avoid punitive executive orders, drew criticism for compromising the firm’s commitment to the rule of law, prompting what Above the Law described as a “mass exodus” that could “decimate” the office.
The staff cuts, primarily affecting non-legal personnel, reflect Willkie’s efforts to streamline operations in a now-smaller office, which has been reduced to three litigation partners and 11 associates, per Legalnewsfeed.com. The exact number of layoffs remains undisclosed, but sources indicate the reductions were necessary to align resources with the office’s diminished capacity following the departures. Willkie’s San Francisco office, which had grown to 45 lawyers by 2024, had recently expanded its footprint by 40% in anticipation of continued growth, making the downsizing a stark reversal.
Retention Bonuses for Summer Associates
In a parallel move to bolster morale and retain talent, Willkie announced retention bonuses for its 2025 summer associates, aligning with a broader Big Law trend sparked by Milbank’s bonus announcements. According to Above the Law, Willkie matched the market-leading bonus scale set by Milbank, offering year-end and special bonuses to associates, with summer associates also receiving competitive retention incentives. The firm, which generated $1.5 billion in gross revenue in 2023, aims to reassure its incoming talent pool amid the San Francisco office’s instability.
The bonuses come as Big Law firms navigate a competitive talent market, with summer associate programs critical for recruiting top law students. LawFuel notes that while some firms have followed Milbank’s lead, others are still deliberating, creating uncertainty for associates. Willkie’s proactive approach signals confidence in its long-term strategy, despite the recent setbacks in San Francisco.
Broader Context and Challenges
The San Francisco office’s struggles reflect broader challenges for Willkie, including reputational fallout from its Trump deal. The departure of key partners like Agnolucci, a member of the firm’s executive committee, and Hur, who brought top tech clients, has raised concerns about the office’s viability, which was established to cater to the region’s technology industry. Bloomberg Law reported that the exiting attorneys joined Cooley, a firm actively challenging Trump’s executive orders, highlighting a philosophical divide.
Willkie’s remaining San Francisco team continues to focus on complex litigation, privacy, cybersecurity, and corporate transactions, as outlined on its website. However, with only a fraction of its former litigation strength, the firm faces questions about its ability to recover, per Legalnewsfeed.com. The layoffs and attorney departures also coincide with broader Big Law trends, including cost-cutting and strategic realignments in response to economic uncertainties and political pressures.
Looking Ahead
Willkie’s leadership has not publicly commented on the layoffs beyond wishing departing attorneys well, but the firm’s retention bonuses suggest a commitment to rebuilding. Industry observers note that the San Francisco office’s future may hinge on its ability to attract new talent and clients in a competitive market. The firm’s global network, spanning the U.S., Europe, and the U.K., could provide support, but replacing the lost expertise and client base will be a significant challenge.
For summer associates, the retention bonuses offer stability, but the office’s downsizing may raise concerns about long-term opportunities. As Big Law navigates a turbulent landscape, Willkie’s experience underscores the delicate balance between cost management, talent retention, and maintaining a foothold in key markets like San Francisco.
Sources: Legalnewsfeed.com, Abovethelaw.com, News.bloomberglaw.com, Willkie.com, Lawfuel.com, X Posts by @RecorderTweets, @lawdotcom