Overview
Introduction
Handling cases that often make front page headlines, WilmerHale is a litigation superstar with particular strength in intellectual property. The firm boasts a respectful culture where associates feel supported by partners and have the resources they need to succeed on high-level matters. The firm has a deeply rooted commitment to pro bono, and opportunities to dive headfirst into meaningful projects are abundant. WilmerHale associates value the people they work with and the firm’s culture and efforts to promote work-life balance.
Firm Stats
Total No. Attorneys (2024)
No. of Partners Named (2024)
Featured Rankings
No. of 1st Year Associates Hired (2023)
No. of Summer Associates (2024)
Base Salary
Vault Verdict
At WilmerHale, attorneys can expect strong associate/partner relationships, top compensation, and colleagues dedicated to pro bono work. Most associates come from T14 and regional schools. Academic achievement is required and prior work experience is common among successful candidates. Coworkers are kind, professional, and respectful of each other’s personal lives. Partners are reasonable and look to associates for case input and strategy ideas and are generous with their time and feedback. Associates learn through their interactions with partners, as well as through assigned mentors and extensive formal training programs. WilmerHale has an efficient integration protocol so that lateral hires are onboarded painlessly. Associate can expect high-quality work assignments and, regular...
About the Firm
With 1,100 lawyers across the United States, Asia, and Europe, WilmerHale is a litigation powerhouse known for its work in IP, securities, and appellate litigation, as well as its life sciences and technology experience. The firm counsels clients in a range of industries, including aviation; big data; education; energy, environment, and natural resources; financial services; healthcare; insurance; media and entertainment; national security; professional services; and technology.
Beantown Meets the Beltway
WilmerHale was formed in 2004 when Hale and Dorr LLP and Wilmer Cutler Pickering LLP joined forces. Legacy firm Hale & Dorr was founded in 1918. Among other issues, the firm was known for its work on government matters. Firm lawyer Joseph Welch represented the U.S. Army ...
Associate Reviews
- “The firm is primarily a professional environment. We treat each other as team members, with respect and support. There are certainly friendships that extend beyond the work, and that makes this place even more meaningful.”
- “Wilmer is an amazing place and feels like a rare find among BigLaw firms. The people are kind and genuine and understand that there is life outside of work. Lawyers socialize internally at different office and practice-group lunches and events. Lawyers and staff interact frequently and with great respect.”
- “The culture is friendly and very low conflict. Folks are understanding and respectful of when people have other commitments and generally try not to bother you on the weekends/holidays unless absolutely necessary. The firm as a whole used to socialize more before the pandemic, and that's coming back with more regularity.”
- “Everyone is polite and genuinely interested in each other's lives both at work and outside of work. The firm holds some social events, but most socializing is organic.”
Why Work Here
WilmerHale is committed to providing consistently world-class legal services and we pride ourselves on finding innovative solutions to complex problems that require us to draw on our full range of knowledge and experience. We foster a work environment that is deeply rooted in our mission to provide unparalleled, high quality service to our clients. In an effort to continuously develop and support our workforce, we provide extensive in-house and external training opportunities and actively promote the overall well-being of every individual in the WilmerHale community.
Diversity at WilmerHale
Getting Hired Here
- “Seems like the firm hires from T14s and a few regional schools. Quite competitive but mostly looking for personality. Credentials are what get you in the door, but the firm seems focused on hiring mature, motivated professionals who are nice and easy to work with.”
- “WilmerHale hires a relatively small summer class, and the majority of students are at the top of their class at the top law schools. However, WilmerHale is very concerned with cultural fit and has an interest in the type of work that they completed.”
- “The firm is looking for intelligent, mature candidates who ideally have unique interests or prior career experience that will be an asset to the work of the firm. The firm tends to recruit most heavily from top law schools.”
- “There are certain schools each office likes to hire from, and there is a grade cutoff. Interviewers are provided this information and certain guidelines.”
Perks & Benefits