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

WilmerHale Women

WilmerHale’s female lawyers deliver exceptional results as trusted advisors to our clients while providing leadership within the firm and the profession at large. Learn More

Women Trial Lawyers

Many of WilmerHale’s women partners have led high-stakes trials, applying focus, dedication and years of practice to make the difference for our clients. Learn More

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 Named a Top-Scoring Firm in the 2019 Inclusion Blueprint

January 28, 2020 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.

2020
+
2020
WilmerHale earned a 100 percent rating in the Corporate Equality Index for the 12th consecutive year based on the annual Human Rights Campaign Foundation survey to identify the best places to work for LGBT equality.

The firm was named among the Top Firms for Working Mothers & Family Planning by Yale Law Women, an organization that seeks to advance the status of women and traditionally underrepresented gender identities. WilmerHale was previously named on the Top Ten Friendly Firms list in 2018, 2015–2016, 2008–2012 and 2006.
2019
+
2019
For the second year in a row, WilmerHale won the second-highest spot on The American Lawyer’s A-List, scoring a mere one point lower than the top-ranked firm. This prestigious list highlights the top 20 law firms in the nation that excel in associate satisfaction, diversity, finances and pro bono.

The firm achieved Mansfield 2.0 Certification Plus status. The Mansfield Rule’s goal is to boost the representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership by broadening the pool of candidates considered for such opportunities, and the firm has been certified since the list was established.

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

WilmerHale was named a Top-Scoring Firm in the 2019 Inclusion Blueprint survey, a collaboration between Diversity Lab and ChIPs that measures law firm inclusion and diversity at the leadership and practice group levels.

Women in Law Empowerment Forum awarded WilmerHale the Gold Standard Certification Award for the sixth time in 2019 for dedication to women in leadership roles and commitment to equal compensation.

Wilmerhale was recognized by Get Konnected! as a Diversity & Inclusion champion for leading the way in promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal community.

The firm placed first in The Washington Post’s 2019 Top Workplace ranking of large companies in the national capital region, and Catherine Carroll, partner-in-charge of the Washington DC office, was quoted extensively in an accompanying feature article on the successes and challenges in promoting workplace diversity.

The Boston Globe named WilmerHale a Top Place to Work in Boston for the sixth consecutive year.

For six consecutive years, Bay Area News named the firm a Top Workplace.

The Denver Business Journal recognized WilmerHale’s Denver office for the second year in a row as one of the city’s Best Places to Work.
2018
+
2018
Law360 listed WilmerHale as a “Best Firm for Women and Minority Attorneys” for the second year in a row and ranked the firm of only two large firms to have above average representation at all levels in terms of both race/ethnicity and gender on its Glass Ceiling Report and Diversity Snapshot. Law360 also listed the firm as a “ceiling smasher” for the second year in a row based on the percent of women equity partners.

WilmerHale narrowly missed first place on The American Lawyer’s A-List and achieved 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.

WilmerHale became one of only 26 law firms in the United States to achieve Mansfield Certification Plus status after successfully completing a one-year pilot program in which participating firms agreed to have their diversity efforts measured against ambitious targets for the percentages of women and attorneys of color in leadership and other important roles.
2017
+
2017
Dell awarded WilmerHale its 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 the Women's Leadership Initiative, and key metrics related to recruiting, advancement, and leadership.

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

WilmerHale received 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.

The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association awarded WilmerHale its Law Firm Diversity Award, which recognizes firms that actively, affirmatively, and consistently recruit, retain, and promote Asian Pacific American lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership.
2016
+
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.

For the third consecutive year, Crain's New York ranked WilmerHale a Best Place to Work, recognizing the firm's New York office for maintaining a workplace of collegiality and collaboration.

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

Our Commitment