WilmerHale has been recognized as a law firm that is surpassing other like-size firms in moving the legal industry toward a more inclusive status quo, according to the 2017 Glass Ceiling Report by Law360. The firm ranked at the top of their peer list for above-average representation—from associate to partner—in total female attorneys, partners and non-partners. 

Earlier this year, Law360 surveyed more than 300 US law firms about their overall and female headcount numbers as of December 31, 2016. Among the firms that had more than 600 lawyers, the average total number of female attorneys was 36.1%. WilmerHale was above that average reporting 41.9%. WilmerHale also was above the national 45.2% average of total female non-partners with 47.7% and above the national 22.2% total female partners average coming in at 24.9%.

WilmerHale has long been dedicated to recruiting top female attorneys and helping them rise through the ranks of the firm. The firm's Guiding Principles encourage diversity and inclusion, with leadership positions that encompass women and minorities. 

Since 2012, Susan Murley has led the firm as co-managing partner. Under her leadership the firm has received numerous female leadership awards. Most recently, the firm was named a Best Law Firms for Women by Working Mother magazine for the 10th consecutive year. Additionally, WilmerHale received Gender Equality category honors in the annual Yale Law Women family friendly report and The Boston Globe recently recognized the firm among its list of Top 20 Women-Led Businesses. 

Also, last month WilmerHale partnered with Diversity Lab and will pilot the Mansfield Rule, a measurement of whether law firms have affirmatively considered women and attorneys of color for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, and lateral positions. Law firms that successfully pilot the Mansfield Rule over the next year will be designated “Mansfield Certified” and have the opportunity to send their recently promoted diverse partners to a two-day Client Forum in late 2018 to build relationships with and learn from influential in-house counsel.