WilmerHale

Overview

WilmerHale is a leading international US law firm known for high‑stakes litigation, regulatory work and complex corporate matters across the US and Europe. The firm emphasises a cross‑disciplinary approach that draws on government, technology and business experience and is notable for a strong trial and Supreme Court practice, a market-leading investigations/FCPA capability and a deep intellectual property offering. WilmerHale combines a global footprint of 12 offices with an institutional commitment to pro bono, public service and inclusion that shapes its client work and recruiting.

• Founded: 1994
• Lawyers: 1,100+
• Offices: 12

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Intellectual Property
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Corporate & M&A
• Competition & Antitrust
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Financial Services & Regulation
• White Collar Crime
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Employment
• Tax
• Real Estate
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Healthcare & Life Sciences
• International Arbitration
• Investment Funds
• Private Equity & Venture Capital

Geographic Focus: WilmerHale operates primarily across the United States and Europe (12 offices across the US and Europe) with cross‑border capabilities for global and multinational clients. The firm’s strategy blends US domestic strength (litigation, securities, investigations, IP) with EU‑focused regulatory and antitrust capabilities from its Brussels, Frankfurt and Berlin teams.

Training Contract

WilmerHale’s traditional US early‑careers path centres on a Summer Associate programme (the firm’s summer programme provides substantive assignments, practical training and social engagement) followed by hiring into associate roles; for specialised technical hires the firm operates a Technology Specialist pathway where professionals attend evening law school while working and are supported through bench‑marking, mentoring and formal departmental training. Technology specialists participate in multi‑day orientation and combined training with IP associates and are expected to take the USPTO patent exam and become registered patent agents.

• Academic Requirements: Technology Specialists are expected to attend law school in an evening division program, obtain a law degree in four years, begin law school within one year of joining the firm, and sit for the USPTO patent exam to become registered as a patent agent.

Sponsorship

For Technology Specialists the firm reimburses law school tuition for those enrolled in a firm‑approved evening program on a semester‑by‑semester basis for up to four years (reimbursement is subject to continued employment and satisfactory performance and assumes acceptance of an associate offer upon completion).

Mentorship

Formal mentoring programmes include assignment of a partner or counsel mentor, a peer mentor (typically a more senior technology specialist or junior IP associate in the same field), annual evaluations with review discussions, and an upward evaluation programme that collects junior lawyers’ feedback on senior lawyers to improve training quality.

Apply on the WilmerHale website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What WilmerHale Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Intellectual curiosity and analytical rigour
• Strong academic and professional achievement
• Judgment and client focus
• Commitment to public service and pro bono
• Communication and advocacy skills
• Resilience and adaptability

Evidence Signals

• Substantive internships, summer associate or clinic experience
• Demonstrable pro bono or public‑service involvement
• Technical or scientific background for IP/technology specialist roles
• Clerkships, government service or relevant regulatory experience
• Examples of teamwork, leadership of student societies or project experience
• Writing samples and clear evidence of practical legal research and drafting

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Health and Dental Insurance (coverage begins on first day of employment)
• Vision Insurance
• Employee, employee +1, and family insurance plans (including domestic partners)
• Flex dollars contributed by the firm to offset a portion of healthcare premiums
• FSA and HSA options
• Short‑ and long‑term disability benefits
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Comprehensive and inclusive family‑building benefits
• On‑site backup childcare facility (Boston only) and subsidized backup care options (all offices)
• Robust Employee Assistance Program (counselling and referral services)
• Automatic enrollment in firm life insurance with option to apply for supplemental coverage
• Business travel insurance beginning on first day of employment
• Traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with firm matching contribution and profit‑sharing contribution
• 529 College Savings plans
• Pre‑tax commuter benefits (transportation and parking)
• On‑site fitness centres and gym membership reimbursement (Boston and DC on‑site; NY/LA/Palo Alto subsidised)
• 25–30 days of paid time off (PTO) during first year, with increasing allowances thereafter
• Employee recognition and rewards programs (Milestone awards and Spot On awards)
• On‑site cafeterias (Boston, New York and Washington DC)
• Backup child, adult and elder care
• Backup pet care
• College Coach
• Milk Stork for traveling nursing mothers
• WellBeing trainings and resources
• Paid parental leave
• Reduced hours and flextime arrangements
• Bar expense reimbursement and moving stipend
• Counselling and referral programs

Wellbeing

Robust Employee Assistance Program (counselling and referral), WellBeing trainings and resources, on‑site fitness centres (Boston, DC) and subsidised gym memberships elsewhere, and targeted supports such as backup care and Milk Stork for nursing mothers.

Awards & Recognition

• The American Lawyer – Best Law Firm of the Year (2020)
• The American Lawyer – Best Law Firm of the Year (2025) (coalition recognition)
• The American Lawyer – Pro Bono Scorecard high rankings (historical top placements; 2025: ranked third on National Pro Bono Scorecard)
• Law360 Pulse – Social Impact Leaders (2025) – ranked third in US
• Law360 Pulse – Pro Bono Ranking (2025) – ranked third in US
• Chambers USA – multiple practice recognitions (including long‑running rankings for several practices)
• Legal 500 – ranked practice areas (London arbitration Tier 1; multiple Tier 3 rankings in London)
• Pro Bono Institute – John H. Pickering Award (2005)
• Numerous pro bono and community awards across the firm’s history (see 1989–2009 pro bono recognition list)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

WilmerHale is committed to fostering an environment that values and embraces a broad range of perspectives and experiences, promoting inclusion and opportunity across recruitment, mentoring, professional development and community engagement and encouraging public service and pro bono as part of firm culture.

• Inclusion and Opportunity programs and inclusive affinity groups
• Racial Justice Reform Initiative
• Payton Fellowship (six months at civil rights organizations)
• Pickering Fellowship (six months at public interest organizations)
• WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School
• Office and community partnerships (Citizen Schools, Year Up, Fenway High School, Colorado LiftED Foundation, Discovering Justice, Miriam’s Kitchen, Sanctuary for Families, UMCF)
• Alumni Network and Alumni Center (structured alumni relations)

Pro Bono

WilmerHale maintains a longstanding, high‑capacity pro bono programme (including the WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School) and historically ranks among the top firms on national pro bono scorecards. The firm operates fellowship programmes (Payton and Pickering), long‑term community partnerships and public‑service initiatives and dedicates substantial financial and people resources to pro bono matters ranging from Supreme Court cases to individual legal aid.

Innovation

WilmerHale invests in practice efficiencies and technology through centralised discovery teams (DiscoverySolutions), in‑house document review technologies and a Business Services Center to drive operational scale. The firm integrates technology into IP prosecution and litigation workflows and supports technology specialist hires with training and technical mentorship; trainees and junior lawyers are exposed to practical legal tech tools through department training and firm programmes.

• DiscoverySolutions (document review and e‑discovery capabilities based in Dayton Business Services Center)
• In‑house document review and technology platforms used for discovery
• Dedicated Business Services Center (Dayton) to centralise and scale operations and technology
• Technology Specialists programme feeding IP and prosecution practices

Quick Application Angles

• Reference the firm’s DaVita antitrust trial victory and other litigation highlights when applying to litigation or antitrust roles to show awareness of the firm’s trial strengths and high‑stakes enforcement work.
• Emphasise genuine public‑service or pro bono commitment—WilmerHale places clear cultural value on pro bono (e.g., Legal Services Center partnerships and Payton/Pickering Fellowships).
• If applying to IP/technology roles, highlight technical degrees and concrete examples of patent or lab experience; mention interest in the Technology Specialists pathway and USPTO registration ambitions.
• Talk about cross‑disciplinary teamwork and provide examples of collaborating across functions — the firm stresses collaborative, multi‑discipline teams on complex matters.
• Demonstrate practical skills (a short example of research/drafting or litigation exercise) and mention participation in substantive summer programmes or mock exercises — WilmerHale’s training emphasises early hands‑on responsibility.