About

WilmerHale is a community of equals. Nevertheless, we also recognize that there are certain issues and concerns that predominantly affect our female attorneys, including the historical lack of women mentors at the upper levels of the profession and the unique obstacles faced by women in trying to build client relationships and develop business.

With this recognition, WilmerHale has sought to implement policies and develop programs (both formal and informal) designed to assist its attorneys, especially its female attorneys, in meeting these challenges. These include mentoring programs that seek to ensure that all of the firm’s attorneys receive the same opportunities, advice and encouragement needed to achieve their full potential.

Through the efforts of a group of women partners, counsel and associates, and senior administrators throughout the firm, the WilmerHale Women’s Leadership Initiative ("WLI") was established to promote the retention and advancement of our women lawyers. Our Management Committee strongly endorses the efforts of the WLI, which is an important component of the firm's social compact with all its lawyers, men and women alike, to support and enhance their professional development. The WLI focuses on providing:

• Internal and external networks of women attorneys;
• Business development training for women lawyers and business development initiatives involving women clients and alumni; and
• Career advancement and training programs tailored to the needs and interests of women attorneys.

While the firm's record in regard to the retention and advancement of women compares very favorably with that of most other law firms, we are determined to be a leader and to help move the entire profession forward. We take pride in having been selected as a "firm of choice" for women in the last four iterations of the Working Mother Magazine & Flex-Time Lawyers survey of "Best Law Firms For Women." We have also been recognized as one of the Top Ten Family Friendly Firms by Yale Law Women for four consecutive years.