At Willkie, we recognize that our associates are our greatest assets, and we are committed to investing in their development by giving them real responsibility from the outset, providing engaging in-house training programs, offering access to active mentors, and fostering true collaboration among lawyers at all levels.

At the same time, we are proud of our long-standing tradition of public service and pro bono work and want to ensure that all of our associates have an opportunity to participate. We seek to accomplish all of this in an atmosphere where people get to know one another personally as well as professionally, building lasting relationships as a result.

We believe mentoring and constructive feedback are critical to professional development. Partners and senior attorneys are expected to provide real-time feedback to more junior lawyers throughout all matters. In addition to informal mentoring, we strive to tailor formal programs specifically to our associates needs and interests as they progress throughout your career.

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Our focus on associate training and development takes many forms, starting with the daily interaction between partners and associates. Partners work side-by-side with associates on all matters, providing real-time training, feedback, and mentoring throughout an associate’s career.

Under the leadership of our Professional Development Committee – which includes partner and associate members from all practices – we have developed an extensive program of in-house training presentations. Seminars are conducted regularly by senior Willkie lawyers on topics ranging from developments in the law (at introductory and advanced levels) to financial analysis to practical lawyering and business skills. We also frequently invite outside speakers to contribute additional perspective and non-legal expertise.

As a supplement, while every associate develops at his or her own pace, we recognize that there are moments of transition common to all associates and have developed training seminars tailored to those transitions.

Beyond working together, we make it a point to get to know one another on a personal level.

Over 40 years ago, Willkie’s partners began hosting monthly “Informal Gatherings” in the office so that lawyers could socialize and catch up.  The tradition continues across the Firm today.

The Washington, D.C. office has hosted dinner cruises and outings on the Chesapeake Bay. We are also fortunate to have a rooftop space with stunning views, and cocktails on the roof are a highlight of summer living for our Washington attorneys. The Houston office has hosted partner dinner parties, casino nights, MLB outings, and cooking classes.

Willkie is committed to compensating associates at a level commensurate with our peer firms.

Willkie believes that everyone benefits from a diverse and inclusive workplace. To that end, we strive to hire lawyers with different backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and culture.

Our Diversity and Inclusion Committee is central to these efforts and summer law clerks learn about the Committee immediately upon arrival. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee is involved in summer law clerk orientation, takes an active role in mentoring, hosts at least one summer law clerk event, and seeks to involve summer law clerks in our broader diversity and inclusiveness program.

Our Women’s Professional Development Committee (WPDC) also participates actively in the summer program. The WPDC typically hosts a networking event for summer law clerks, participates in mentoring, and includes summer law clerks in ongoing programming.

We reinforce all of this effort through partnerships with law-school affinity groups including APALSA, BLSA, LALSA, LAMBDA/OUTLAWS, SALSA, and Women’s Law Associations, sponsoring receptions, career nights, mock interview programs, moot court competitions, and seminars with these groups.

We take great pride in the volume and variety of work the firm performs on a pro bono basis. Willkie has a long-standing commitment to serving the underprivileged and promoting social justice. We have consistently achieved exceptional results on behalf of pro bono clients in a wide array of matters. From obtaining asylum for individuals around the world to filing amicus briefs in landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, Willkie’s global pro bono work with underrepresented clients is extensive and encompasses a broad range of causes and issues.

Our commitment to public service and pro bono work extends to the summer program. In New York, summer law clerks have had the opportunity to participate in one-week externships at Her Justice, Sanctuary for Families, and Mobilization for Justice. Aside from these externships, we actively encourage all summer law clerks to participate in the Firm’s broader public service and pro bono effort.

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