Saddle up and take the reins at this sole-office stallion, sitting at the top of the Hill for political law and government contracts.
Wiley Lateral Profile 2025
Want an exceptional career at the heart of regulatory law with the promise of big clients and cutting-edge work? Where else to look than Wiley, a sole-office superstar that’s well integrated into the DC landscape. With close to 250 attorneys keeping a pulse on the Hill, it has a formidable presence with its regulatory, litigious, and transactional offerings. To prove it, Chambers USA bestows high praise upon the firm for its nationwide prowess in political law, international export controls and economic sanctions, and bid protests, placing it as cream of the crop for its elite government contracts work too. At home, Wiley continues to receive high praise for its insurance, regulatory media and entertainment, telecom, broadcast and satellite, and general commercial litigation expertise.
View the firm’s Chambers USA rankings
Read the firm’s Inside View feature on junior associate life
Why did you join your firm? Associates say…
“I liked the government-facing nature of the work, and I thought the people were great.”
“Wiley provided me with an opportunity to work on subject matter that I really enjoy, learn from mentors who really invest and believe in me, and engage in substantive work at a young age.”
“I joined the firm due to the strength of its white-collar defense and investigations practice.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
8 |
0.5 : 1 |
87% |
||
|
partners made in 2024 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
88% |
87% |
94% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with childcare/caregiver responsibilities | felt partnership was achievable at the firm | agreed partners are nurturing future leaders |
||
The view from the firm: Our associates are an integral part of Wiley and play an important role in the firm’s continued growth and ability to serve our clients. We want our associates to succeed and to have long and meaningful careers. Our investment in the success of our associates include Associates Committee, Mentoring and Sponsorship, CLE, in-house training programs, evaluation program, and a formal integration program.
Hours & Compensation
|
1,950 |
11 |
47.6 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
82% |
94% |
14% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
felt like they could take vacation/annual leave on their own terms |
found the firm's claims around bonus allocation to be authentic |
Salaries
1st year: $225,000
2nd year: $235,000
3rd year: $260,000
4th year: $310,000
5th year: $360,000
6th year: $385,000
*The firm does not disclose salaries beyond this point.
The view from the firm: Wiley offers competitive compensation, with our starting associate salary at $225,000. Associates are expected to bill 1,950 hours and are compensated on a combination lockstep and merit system. 50 hours of pro bono work can count towards the billable hour requirement.
Is Wiley the right firm for you?
|
100% |
88% |
100% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work they received was of the right quality |
felt that they chose the right firm |
The view from the firm: Wiley looks for applicants with strong academic credentials, professional experience, and initiative. We hire not only the best students and attorneys, but the best people. We recruit for a variety of roles (practice attorney, associate, special counsel, counsel, and partner) throughout the year and throughout our practice groups dependent on client need and strategic growth areas.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“Everyone at Wiley speaks highly of the firm's culture and work life balance. You get to work directly with partners, and I appreciate how much responsibility I was entrusted with early on. The firm seems to genuinely care about attorney professional development.”
“Wiley is different; the people here are wonderful to work with. As a junior, I would get opportunities to do more than just document review and work-life balance. Also, almost every partner is either married or has kids and is heavily involved in their kids’ lives.”
“The people are very kind and welcoming, and the environment is very supportive; it has a reputation as being a positive work environment with good working conditions.”
Pro Bono
|
54 |
86% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm puts effort towards its commitment to pro bono and social impact activity |
Pro bono highlights: Human Rights Defense Center (prisoners’ rights, constitutional law); Disability Rights Maryland (prisoners’ rights, civil rights); DC Volunteer Lawyers Project (domestic violence).
Sustainability & CSR
The view from the firm: We are one of the leading law firms in the world representing rechargeable battery suppliers and users on policy issues and do significant work on electronics recycling. We also have advised a cosmetic company client on both reusable packaging for cosmetics to allow for refills in store, and testing requirements necessary to support a biodegradable claim for their leave on and rinse off products. We represent clients whose building materials are used to meet Net Zero Policy initiatives due to their contribution to light-weighting and strengthening construction materials. The climate contributions of these materials include improved safety and resiliency, as well as lower transport, energy consumption, and replacement costs with corresponding decarbonization.
Contact
Learn more about opportunities at the firm
Recruitment contact: Meghan Holl
Attorney Recruiting Coordinator
202.719.4719
mholl@wiley.law