Our Survey Says
VAULT'S VERDICT:
At WilmerHale, attorneys can expect strong associate/partner relationships, top compensation, and colleagues dedicated to pro bono work. Most associates come from T14 and regional schools. Academic achievement is required and prior work experience is common among successful candidates. Coworkers are kind, professional, and respectful of each other’s personal lives. Partners are reasonable and look to associates for case input and strategy ideas and are generous with their time and feedback. Associates learn through their interactions with partners, as well as through assigned mentors and extensive formal training programs. WilmerHale has an efficient integration protocol so that lateral hires are onboarded painlessly. Associate can expect high-quality work assignments and, regularly, face time with clients. Practice managers balance and distribute projects effectively. The firm’s 2,000-hour billable requirement is considered reasonable or high. Associates acknowledge a seemingly conscious effort to avoid late evening and weekend work. Compensation matches the market, with opportunities to earn sizable bonuses based on hours and merit. Overall, the technology needs attention, as WilmerHale associates are disenchanted with problems they have with their laptops. Wellness efforts seem fairly basic, but associates appreciate the firm’s offerings. Attorneys truly value the firm’s history of and commitment to pro bono work, the hours for which are uncapped and count toward the billable requirement. Diversity efforts in terms of affinity groups, programs, recruiting, and a supportive environment receive high marks. Regarding career prospects, promotion to equity partner is difficult and rare, but counsel positions are attainable, and attorneys frequently go in-house or to the government.
2100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (617) 526-6000 • (202) 663-6000
Managing Partners: Anjan Sahni
Hiring Partners: Drew Dulberg & Molly Fox (Boston); Ben Fernandez (Denver); Chris Casamassima (Los Angeles); Robert Boone, Michelle Diamond & Zachary Goldman (New York); Tom Sprankling (Palo Alto) Michael Mugmon (San Francisco); Brenda Lee & Ben Neaderland (Washington, DC)
Total No. Attorneys (2024):
1K - 1.5K
No. of Partners Named 2024:
9
Billable-Hour Requirement:
2,000 hours
Base Salary (2024)
1st year: $ 225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $365,000
6th year: $390,000
7th year: $420,000
8th year: $435,000
9th year: $CBC
Summer Associate: $4,327 (weekly)
Bronagh Hollywood
Director, Legal Personnel & Development
bronagh.hollywood@wilmerhale.com
(617) 526-5983
Recruiting contacts for all offices can be found at wilmerhale.com/en/careers/lawyers
No. of U.S. Offices: 7
No. of International Offices: 5
Boston, MA
Denver, CO
Los Angeles, CA
New York, NY
Palo Alto, CA
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC I
Beijing
Berlin
Brussels
Frankfurt
London
Intellectual Property
Litigation/Controversy
Regulatory & Government Affairs
Securities & Financial Services
Transactional
*See firm website for complete list of practice areas and industries.