Weil Gotshal & Manges has won a senior role alongside UK firm Herbert Smith on Eurotunnel's high profile restructuring – securing a key instruction for the US firm's European work out practice.

The appointment, exclusively revealed on legalweek.com (21 May), will see Weil Gotshal act as restructuring adviser to the channel tunnel operator, with Herbert Smith remaining as corporate counsel.

The decision appears to be a blow for Herbert Smith, which had looked set for a fees windfall as sole adviser on the restructuring. In contrast, the instruction is significant for Weil Gotshal at a time when it is trying to extend its highly-rated US restructuring practice to its European network, and comes in addition to a role advising on the restructuring of Parmalat.