If you’re heading for the Hill, look no further than Wiley to achieve your government and political law dreams.
Wiley Lateral Profile 2024
Are you torn between a career in law and a career in government? Or maybe you’re looking to work on the cutting edge of technology and regulations? Perhaps you just want to join a firm that’s loyal to DC without compromising on big clients and exciting work? Whatever it is, Wiley’s got it covered. Despite housing fewer than 300 attorneys in a single DC office, the firm is a force to reckon with across a range of litigious, transactional, and regulatory practices. It’s a tried and tested method that works according to our colleagues at Chambers USA, who place Wiley among the best of the best nationwide in government contracts and political law. In its hometown, the firm earns further top rankings in insurance and regulatory media & entertainment work; its telecom, broadcast & satellite and general commercial litigation practices are also highly regarded.
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…
“Deep subject matter expertise, purported family-friendly culture.”
“Partners and associates with young families who shared similar professional goals and work-life-balance aspirations.”
“The lawyers seemed very down-to-earth and normal. They didn't act like they were too good for other people.”
Career Development & the Path to Partnership
|
6 |
0.6 : 1 |
86% |
||
|
partners made in 2023 |
associate : partner gearing |
of associates intend to make partner |
||
|
86% |
86% |
87% |
||
| felt partnership was achievable for attorneys with children | 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 |
8.2 |
50 |
|
billable hours |
average number of vacation days associates took in one year |
average number of hours associates worked in one week |
|
71% |
71% |
25% |
| agreed they had a good work-life balance |
said the benefits package makes the workload worthwhile |
found the bonus allocation fair and transparent |
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 $215,000. 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?
|
87% |
100% |
79% |
|
were happy in their current role |
agreed the work is interesting |
felt comfortable being themselves at work |
The view from the firm: Wiley looks for applicants with strong academic credentials, professional experience, and initiative. The firm hires not only the best candidates, but the best people. Wiley seeks out people who share its view that a workplace should be measured not only by professional achievement but also by personal satisfaction. In return, the firm is committed to unparalleled professional development and uncommon opportunity.
Here's what survey respondents had to say about the firm's culture...
“Warmth from many folks I work with, and genuine care about having a life outside of work; candor.”
“Genuine people who are kind and talented. Associates don't compete amongst each other and it is clear that there is a place here for everyone. We all recognize that to work well, we have to work together and leverage each other's strengths.”
“Everyone is very nice and appears genuine.”
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing
|
64% |
38% |
46% |
||
|
reported diverse staffing on teams/cases/matters |
of partners are women |
of associates identify as ethnically diverse |
||
The view from the firm: Wiley has dedicated significant efforts to implementing best practices supporting the creation of an equitable landscape for the division of work among associates within each practice group. While we have always leveraged the support of our Workload Oversight Committee, over the past two years, we have worked with our DEI Committee to conduct a more targeted analysis of the operations and business strategies of each practice group and how those strategies impact generating and distributing work.
In 2022, we introduced the concept of a “Practice Group Diversity Scorecard.” Wiley’s Chief Diversity Officer met with each practice group leader to share statistics on the retention, promotion, and attrition of attorneys in the group as compared to firm-wide trends over a five-year period and recommended strategies for growth. In 2023, we shared a second and more advanced iteration of the Scorecard, which explored not only demographic trends, but also: (a) the business case for diversity, with a summary of the firm clients who have sought information about the firm’s DEI efforts, and (b) a worksheet that required practice group leaders to identify work assignments that provide key growth opportunities for associates, in alignment with the firm’s core competencies required for associates to advance to Partner. We believe that this kind of practice-group specific approach to workload oversight will be key to increasing diversity at the senior levels of leadership, because it creates a strategic collaboration with our practice group leaders in connecting business and DEI goals.
Pro Bono
|
28.9 |
86% |
|
average pro bono |
agreed the firm is committed to pro bono |
Pro bono highlights: McElrath v. Georgia (criminal justice and constitutional law); Disability Rights Maryland (civil rights and education); DC KinCare Alliance (fair housing discrimination).
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 claims 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