Brown_Lillian

Lillian Brown

Brown_Lillian

Lillian Brown

Partner

  • Chair, Corporate Governance and Disclosure Group
Washington DC + 1 202 663 6743

Lillian Brown is a partner in the Transactional and Securities Departments and Chair of the Corporate Governance and Disclosure Group in the Corporate Practice Group. Ms. Brown advises clients, including public companies and boards of directors across a wide range of industries, on federal securities law compliance and corporate governance matters. She has extensive experience in SEC reporting and disclosure requirements, proxy and annual meeting matters, shareholder activism and engagement, shareholder proposals, and stock exchange listing standards. Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Ms. Brown spent nearly 14 years at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the Division of Corporation Finance, including as Senior Special Counsel to the Director and Special Counsel in the Office of Mergers and Acquisitions. 

Professional Activities and Community Involvement

Ms. Brown serves as Co-Chair of the American Bar Association's Federal Regulation of Securities Committee and previously served as Vice-Chair of the Committee and Chair of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Proxy Statements and Business Combinations.  She also serves as Co-Chair of the Society for Corporate Governance Securities Law Committee and was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Governance Counsel. Ms. Brown previously served as an elected member on the DC Bar's Corporation, Finance and Securities Law Steering Committee from 2014-2017 and as a member of the NASDAQ Hearings Panel from 2013-2017. She also served as a member of the Capitol Hill Day School Board of Trustees in a number of positions from 2011–2020, including as Chair from 2017–2020.

Ms. Brown is a frequent speaker and author on corporate governance and SEC reporting and disclosure-related topics. She co-chairs PLI’s Corporate Governance Master Class and PLI’s Directors’ Institute on Corporate Governance and serves as an Advisory Board member for the Securities Regulation Institute. Additionally, Ms. Brown serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Insights: The Corporate & Securities Law Advisor. 

  • WilmerHale Partner Lillian Brown Recognized in 2026 Edition of Chambers USA

    Lillian Brown is recognized as a nationwide leader in the Securities: Regulation: Advisory category. Chambers USA evaluates lawyers based on the technical legal skills, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by clients.

    June 4, 2026
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  • Lillian Brown Named 2027 Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America

    Best Lawyers in America recognizes the nation’s top lawyers based on their legal acumen and extensive confidential peer-reviews. Lillian Brown is recognized as Lawyer of the Year for corporate governance law.

    August 20, 2026
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Recognition

  • Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for corporate governance law (2023–2027).
  • Named a 2027 Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America for corporate governance law. 
  • Recognized in the 2020–2026 editions of Chambers USA Guide as a nationwide leader in the Securities: Regulation: Advisory category.
  • Recognized in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA Guide as a nationwide leader in the Corporate Governance category.
  • Named as a 2025 and 2026 Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer – independently rated and selected by clients.
  • Named to the 2021–2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America lists.
  • Recipient of the SEC's 2010, 2006 and 2003 Law and Policy Award and the 2007 Paul R. Carey Award.

Insights & News

View all of Lillian's insights & news

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, University of Southern California Gould School of Law, 1999

    • BA, Political, Legal & Economic Analysis, Mills College, 1994

  • Admissions

    • District of Columbia

    • California

  • Government Experience

    • Securities and Exchange Commission

      Division of Corporation Finance

      Senior Special Counsel to the Director

    • Securities and Exchange Commission

      Division of Corporation Finance

      Special Counsel, Office of Mergers and Acquisitions

    • Securities and Exchange Commission

      Division of Corporation Finance

      Attorney Advisor, Disclosure Operations

Credentials

Notice

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