WilmerHale is proud to share that the firm has been named a New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Empire State Counsel Law Firm Honoree, recognizing the exceptional pro bono commitment of our attorneys who completed 50 or more hours of pro bono service in 2025. This marks the second consecutive year that WilmerHale has been recognized by NYSBA for its dedication to expanding access to justice.

This honor, which is bestowed on three New York City law firms each year, underscores WilmerHale’s longstanding commitment to pro bono service and the impact our attorneys continue to make across communities and practice areas.

In 2025, WilmerHale dedicated 150,000+ hours to pro bono service, with 100% of the firm’s lawyers participating in our pro bono program and an average of more than 140 pro bono hours per lawyer. 

The firm also achieved two historic pro bono victories in New York State in 2025, when a WilmerHale team won jury verdicts totaling $108 million for two pro bono clients who were among the “Buffalo 5”—a group of Black teenagers who, due to prosecutorial misconduct, were wrongfully convicted of a 1976 murder in Buffalo and spent decades in prison for a crime they had not committed.  

Last year the firm also won final approval—44 years after we prevailed at trial—of a $12.5 million settlement for a class of Black special agents in their federal court challenge to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s racially discriminatory employment practices. The firm continues to represent pro bono clients in matters at the forefront of social justice and civil rights, with active impact litigation cases in the areas of criminal law reform, religious liberties, immigrant justice, reproductive rights, and more.

Boyd Johnson, Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s New York office, accepted the award on the firm’s behalf at the Justice for All Awards Ceremony on January 15, 2026. 

Read more about our pro bono practice here.