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LAWCROSSING FEATURED EMPLOYER OF THE WEEK
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr [Adam Silver] Two of the top firms in the nation recently combined to form what promises to be a vast legal empire. Each of the firms has a storied history and a wellearned reputation.
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is one of those rare addresses that can conjure meaning and reverence. Though the White House is what drives up the property values in the neighborhood, further down the street are the offices of one of the country’s top corporate firms: Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and
handled numerous chapter 11 cases. Global Competition Review recently recognized partner Thomas Mueller for his excellent antitrust work. All of the groups related to corporate law are excellent, which is why juggernauts such as Disney have relied on the firm’s services.
Dorr. Unlike its chief District of Columbia rival, Williams & Connolly, Wilmer is a na-
Though a huge corporate player, Wilmer is
tional and international powerhouse. Only a
famous for pro bono work that goes above
few weeks ago, the law firm of Wilmer Cutler
and beyond expectations. The American Bar
Pickering merged with Boston mainstay Hale
Association gave the firm the 1998 Award for
and Dorr. The resulting entity, Wilmer Cutler
outstanding pro bono service, and the Dis-
Pickering Hale and Dorr, is now one of the
trict of Columbia Bar selected Wilmer for the
world’s largest firms with over 1000 attor-
2003 Law Firm Pro Bono Award. Recently,
neys spread throughout the globe.
American Lawyer rated Wilmer’s pro bono program the tops in the nation.
The merger of equals joined together what were two of the country’s strongest firms.
Since Wilmer is headquartered in D.C., it
Founded in 1962 with only 19 attorneys in
would make sense that it has strong political
tow, Wilmer has witnessed a meteoric rise
ties. Name partner Lloyd Cutler was Counsel
to the top tier of the legal profession. It has
to Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Wilmer is
a commitment to a wide-array of practices.
also one of the busiest firms in the Supreme
However, the most visible groups fall under
Court. Recent victories include one of the
the corporate umbrella.
most important cases of recent times: Gratz
Wilmer has a major corporate practice.
Michigan, Wilmer attorneys secured a crucial
Recent M&A transactions include represen-
win for affirmative action.
v. Bollinger. In representing the University of
tation of Price Waterhouse in the merger with Coopers & Lybrand, Bestfoods, Inc. in
Hale and Dorr is one of the premier firms
its $60 billion merger with Unilever, and AOL
headquartered in Boston. The firm is older
in regards to its famed $125 billion merger
than Wilmer (it was founded in 1918) and
with Time Warner. Wilmer’s litigation group
features a wide-range of practice areas, in
was recognized as one of the tops in the
particular, strong intellectual property and
county by American Lawyer. Wilmer has
litigation departments. The firm has a num-
gone to bat in the courtroom for companies
ber of notable cases under its belt, including
such as PepsiCo, the Dallas Cowboys and the
representing the US Army during the McCar-
Tribune Company. Business Week singled
thy hearings of the 1950s. Together, the two
out the firm’s bankruptcy practice, which has
firms contain every conceivable opportunity a
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large firm can provide. Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr has a corporate practice on par with Wall Street legends, but one that features an exciting political environment as well.