Weil Gotshal & Manges is set to broaden its practice focus following a review of its international strategy by management consultant McKinsey & Company.

The Wall Street law firm's executive partner Barry Wolf is adjusting his three-year strategy – dubbed 'Weil 2012' – to focus more heavily on finance and litigation following advice from the bluechip consultant.

McKinsey advised Weil Gotshal to grow finance and litigation through lateral hires, with a particular emphasis on its offices outside of the US. The consultant also advised the firm not to prioritise new launches, but to focus on existing offices for expansion.

Wolf has communicated the amended strategy to partners through a series of presentations in various offices.

As part of the review, McKinsey interviewed around 80 partners globally, including 10 in London.

One partner commented: "Weil Gotshal has become known as 'the angel of death' since advising on the Enron insolvency and the firm wants to shake this reputation by branching into finance, litigation and mainstream corporate."

"The firm has built a respected City corporate practice in London, but people have questioned whether it has done enough to expand its restructuring and finance teams in Europe," added a partner from a rival firm.

Though Weil Gotshal is currently among the top 20 global law firms in revenue terms with 2010 fee income of $1.19bn (£730m), only 25% of its lawyers are currently based outside the US.