WilmerHale partner Lisa Brown, chair of the firm’s Higher Education Practice, and partner-in-charge of the Boston office Felicia Ellsworth, are featured in Forbes' inaugural list of America's Top Women Lawyers, which recognizes female attorneys who are shaping the future of the legal profession.
A leading trial lawyer, Ellsworth represents clients in high-stakes commercial litigation, internal investigations and crisis matters. She is featured in Forbes' roundtable discussion accompanying the list, which brings together eight distinguished lawyers from across the country to discuss the evolving demands placed on outside counsel, including the impact of artificial intelligence, the importance of sound judgment and the qualities clients value most. In her contributions, Ellsworth emphasized that clients increasingly expect counsel to serve as true partners in managing risk, reputation and business realities. "Clients want outside counsel who deliver excellent legal work with practical judgment," she said, adding that lawyers today must be able to "look around corners" to anticipate what's coming next.
Ellsworth also addressed progress for women in the legal profession, pointing to increased representation in leadership roles and expanded opportunities for meaningful work earlier in lawyers' careers. "It's not enough to open doors," she said. "You have to actively invest in the people walking through them." She reflected on what separates the best lawyers from the rest, pointing to a love of the craft, a commitment to continual improvement and the ability to elevate those around them. "The lawyers who distinguish themselves are the ones who measure success not just by wins, but by impact," she said.
Brown, former general counsel of both the U.S. Department of Education and Georgetown University, advises colleges and universities on some of the most consequential issues facing higher education today, including federal investigations, shifting regulatory requirements, reputational crises and congressional inquiries. Her practice focuses on helping institutional leadership navigate a rapidly changing compliance environment, from agency investigations and executive orders to certification requirements and the growing risk of False Claims Act enforcement.
Brown has spoken to the increasing demand for outside counsel who understand not just the legal intricacies but also the broader operational and reputational implications facing their clients. "It is not enough to just give narrow legal advice," she has noted. "They want counsel who can see the full picture." She says the best lawyers “know how to build the strongest team,” “understand what keeps their clients up at night” and “think around the corner, helping clients anticipate what’s coming next.” She has also emphasized the value of using quieter periods to invest in relationships and stay ahead of what's coming next, observing that "the lawyers who use quieter moments to invest in relationships and sharpen their thinking are the ones clients turn to first when things get busy again."
Together, Brown and Ellsworth’s recognition on the inaugural Forbes list underscores WilmerHale's deep bench of women leaders at the forefront of complex litigation, investigations and advisory work.
Read the full roundtable feature and view the complete list of honorees on Forbes.