Ericka Aiken, a partner in WilmerHale’s White Collar Practice, was recently honored by Bloomberg Law with a spot on its 2025 “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40” list which spotlights rising leaders who are helping to shape the legal industry.
Of the lawyers on its fifth annual edition of the list, Bloomberg Law says: “The young lawyers in our 2025 class excel at client work at their law firms and companies, take on weighty leadership roles, and still make time for mentorship and pro bono work.”
In her profile, Aiken highlights a landmark result from earlier this year: a $12.5 million settlement for a class of Black special agents at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in decadeslong litigation challenging discriminatory employment practices. Aiken assumed a lead role in the case in 2023. The case was first filed in 1977.
Also highlighted is her representation of Cummins, an engine manufacturer. After the company’s $1.6 billion emission-related settlement with the government, lawsuits were brought against the company in federal and state court. A full dismissal of one suit was achieved with multiple other victories in federal court.
Reflecting on professional growth, Aiken credits collaborative problem‑solving—knowing whom to bring to the table and when—as essential to delivering excellent guidance during clients’ most urgent moments. She emphasizes anticipating client needs, cross‑disciplinary teamwork, and the power of leveraging colleagues’ expertise to move quickly without sacrificing quality.
Based in Washington, DC, Aiken is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center.