Salary & Benefits
Post December 2009, WilmerHale moved to merit-based compensation structure, which is to be phased in through 2012. Till then, salaries at the firm were based on a lockstep system. Now, under the new merit-based system, a larger percentage of each attorney's total compensation will be in the form of individualized bonuses. This will be based on criteria such as firm performance, quality of substantive work, quality of client service, efficiency, productivity, teamwork collegiality and other "citizenship" factors.
Until the new compensation system is fully implemented, associates are required to bill a minimum of 2,000 hours, including pro bono, to receive the base-level bonus.
The firm offers an in-house subsidized cafeteria, regular social gatherings, on-site gyms in Boston and Washington, D.C. offices. Also, subsidized gym memberships in Los Angeles, New York and Palo Alto, emergency childcare are some of the additional benefits.
New associates receive a $5,000 transition stipend, bar review and exam expense reimbursement, and relocation benefits.
Benefits
- 401(k)/IRA/Other Retirement Plan
- 529 College Savings Plan
- Bar Association Fees
- Business Casual Dress Code
- CLE
- Dental Insurance
- Domestic Partner Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Family/Dependent Care Leave
- Flexible Spending Account/Pre-Tax Option
- Life/AD&D Insurance
- Long-term Care Insurance
- Long-term Disability Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Medical Spending Account
- On-site Child Care - Emergency
- Parental Leave
- Relocation Expenses
- Short-term Disability Insurance
- Sick Leave
- Technology (Laptop, PDA, etc.)
- Vacation Leave
- Vision Insurance
Benefits Package
In addition to the above-listed benefits WilmerHale offers the following: Alternative Work Arrangements (reduced workload and flextime programs) Bereavement Leave Business Travel Insurance Daily Bicycle Storage Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan Dining Room Facility Domestic Partner - gross up of flex dollars for Same-Sex Domestic Partner Premium In-home Care for Family/Dependent (emergency) Jury Duty/Military Leave Off-site childcare (emergency) On-site Fitness Center Access Paid Holidays Payment of CA, DC, MA, & NY Bar Dues/License Fees Payment of Voluntary Bar Association Memberships Payroll Direct Deposit Prescription Drug Benefits Pre-Tax Parking/Commuter Programs Primary/Secondary Care Giver Leave (includes Parental Leave and Family/Dependent Care Leave listed above) Private Lactation Room Smoke Free Environment *This is only intended to be a summary of the benefits offered at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. The details of these plans are contained in the official plan and policy documents including some insurance contracts. If there is any difference between the information in this summary and the plan documents and/or insurance contracts, the documents and/or contracts will govern. Any plans described in this summary may be changed at any time and for any reason, and do not represent a contractual obligation on the part of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP.
Hiring Criteria
WilmerHale hires those who are committed to excellence, which is gauged from students' academic and personal accomplishments. The firm hires students sitting at or near the top of their classes.
Applications from judicial clerks are welcome.
Besides academic success, the firm has identified eight competencies that outline what constitutes outstanding performance at WilmerHale. Six of these competencies- commitment, confidence, oral communication, problem solving, teamwork and writing- are the focus areas for selecting and evaluating candidates.
Pro bono
The firm's pro bono work represents a broad range of issues, including immigration, education, civil rights, and Guantanamo detainees. The firm has established a clinical pro bono program at Harvard Law School and offers six-month public interest fellowships and rotations through local district attorneys' offices.
For more than a decade, its lawyers have provided pro bono legal services to indigent persons through the WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School that has assisted more than 20,000 low-income persons.
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