Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is a guiding principle of WilmerHale and a key driver of the value the firm provides to clients. The range of perspectives, backgrounds and talents of our lawyers helps us develop creative and effective solutions for our clients’ most complex and challenging legal issues. Collaboration and collegiality are additional guiding principles that reflect our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace.

We demonstrate our commitment to diversity and inclusion by recruiting talented and accomplished lawyers, law students and staff and providing resources and opportunities to help them reach their career aspirations. We also provide our attorneys and staff with opportunities to impact the communities in which we live and practice through pro bono and community service. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion starts at the top and cascades throughout the firm. WilmerHale is one of very few AmLaw 100 firms with a woman co-managing partner, and part of an even smaller number of such firms that have had both a woman and a person of color as a co-managing partner. Our diversity and inclusion journey is one of continuous assessment, progress, and partnership with others committed to advancing these principles in the legal profession.

Our Commitment

Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Find out more about how we are a leader in diversity, ensure an inclusive workplace, create a diverse pipeline and partner with our clients. Learn More

Diversity Leaders

Our commitment to diversity is reflected at every level of the firm. Learn More

Professional Development and Inclusion

We offer a Diversity Speakers series, alumni events, affinity groups, career development opportunities and our Women’s Leadership Initiative. Learn More

Making gender diversity a business priority at WilmerHale

We are committed to fostering an environment that embraces each individual's unique background, experience and perspective. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of our clients and the communities in which we practice. We achieve this by recruiting talented and accomplished lawyers, providing them with resources to enhance their professional development, and helping them reach their full potential. A commitment to diversity is one of WilmerHale’s guiding principles.

WilmerHale Again Named Top Ten Family Friendly Firm

April 20, 2018 News

Recruitment

We are committed to attracting an exceptional and diverse group of lawyers and law students. This progress is reflected in the composition of our partner, counsel and associate ranks, but begins with our summer associate program.

Media Recognition
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Media Recognition
WilmerHale Places Among the Top in The American Lawyer’s 2018 A-List, narrowly missing first place and achieving its highest position ever since the list’s inception in 2003; this prestigious list highlights the top 20 law firms in the nation that excel in associate satisfaction, diversity, finances, and pro bono.

Law360 – Listed as a “Best Firm for Women and Minority Attorneys” for the second year in a row (2018). One of only two large firms to have above average representation at all levels in terms of both race/ethnicity and gender according to Law360’s Glass Ceiling Report and Diversity Snapshot.

Law360 – Listed as a “ceiling smasher” for the second year in a row based on the percent of women equity partners (2018).

Working Mother magazine and Flex-Time Lawyers again named WilmerHale as a 2018 Best Law Firm for Women; the firm has received the honor every year since the list came out in 2007.

WilmerHale is consistently named a Top Workplace in Washington DC by The Washington Post, in Palo Alto by the Bay Area News Group, in Boston by The Boston Globe, and in New York by Crain’s New York Business.
Third Party/Organization Recognition
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Third Party/Organization Recognition
Women in Law Empowerment Forum awarded WilmerHale the Gold Standard Certification Award for the fourth time in 2018 for dedication to women in leadership roles and commitment to equal compensation.

2017 recipient of the inaugural Honor Roll Award given by ChIPs at its annual Women in Tech, Law, and Policy Global Summit for making a deliberate effort to increase diversity and inclusion and demonstrated success giving women true leadership positions and visibility.

Yale Law Women named WilmerHale among the 2018 Top Ten Family Friendly Firms, the ninth time the firm has received this recognition; the organization is affiliated with Yale Law School and aims to help women progress in the legal profession.

WilmerHale earned a 100 percent rating in the Corporate Equality Index in 2017 for the 10th consecutive year based on the annual Human Rights Campaign Foundation survey to identify the best places to work for LGBT equality.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) awarded WilmerHale the 2017 Law Firm Diversity Award, which recognizes firms that actively, affirmatively, consistently recruit, retain, and promote Asian Pacific American lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership.
Client Recognition
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Client Recognition
Dell (2017) – WilmerHale was the recipient of Dell’s Legal Diversity Award, given annually to one of Dell’s partner law firms that excels at embracing and promoting workplace diversity. Selection was based on the overall diversity and inclusion strategy, the critical role of diversity programs and Women's Leadership Initiative, and key metrics related to recruiting, advancement, and leadership.

TIAA (2017) – Selected WilmerHale as a recipient of its 2017 Diversity & Inclusion Award for the firm’s efforts to recruit, develop and promote diverse lawyers.

Bank of America (2016) – WilmerHale received the Bank of America Legal Department’s Diversity & Inclusion Business Council award; the firm was selected among a group of more than 200 law firms.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

Our Commitment