Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

WilmerHale is the gold standard for appellate and Supreme Court litigation, intellectual property, and government regulatory work. Splitting its identity between Washington DC and Boston, this is the firm where former government officials, Supreme Court clerks, and patent litigators converge to do work that genuinely shapes American law.

WilmerHale's SCOTUS and appellate practice is arguably the most prestigious in the country, with partners who have argued dozens of cases before the Supreme Court. The IP litigation practice is equally dominant, handling patent disputes for the world's largest technology companies. The regulatory and government investigations group draws on a deep bench of former DOJ officials and SEC commissioners. With approximately 980 attorneys and $3.5M in profits per partner, WilmerHale delivers elite profitability while maintaining its public-service DNA. The 2,000-hour billable requirement is standard, and the free-market system lets associates explore the firm's diverse practices.

WilmerHale's culture reflects its government-service roots -- intellectually rigorous, mission-driven, and genuinely collegial. Associates report strong mentorship from partners who are leading experts in their fields, and the firm's dual DC-Boston presence creates a unique dynamic that blends policy-wonk seriousness with New England pragmatism. Training is excellent, with formal programs and the kind of apprenticeship model that comes from working alongside former solicitors general. The summer program of about 103 associates has a 99% offer rate, and summers consistently praise the quality of assignments and social programming.

WilmerHale conducts roughly 1,000 screening interviews annually during OCI, with high academic standards -- particularly for the DC office, where a strong GPA from a top school is essential. Callbacks involve meetings with a mix of associates and partners over two to two-and-a-half hours. The firm looks for candidates who can demonstrate genuine interest in WilmerHale's distinctive strengths: appellate work, IP, or regulatory matters. If you have a government-service background or clerkship aspirations, lead with that -- WilmerHale values the same intellectual curiosity that drives public service.