WilmerHale has moved to new offices at 7 World Trade Center (7 WTC) that provide more technologically advanced and collaborative space, and will further enhance its ability to provide clients with the highest quality services. The new offices are at the forefront of environmental sustainability initiatives and demonstrate the firm’s commitment to the City and the revitalized Lower Manhattan business district.
“I am thrilled to welcome WilmerHale to 7 World Trade Center,” said Larry A. Silverstein, president & CEO of Silverstein Properties, Inc. “Downtown has undergone an amazing transformation over the past 10 years thanks in large part to visionary firms such as WilmerHale that decided to make the World Trade Center their home. These companies—and their employees—want green office space, waterfront parks, public spaces and recreational facilities, and the best mass transit links of any area in the city. Thanks to them, Downtown is fast becoming the creative capital of New York City.”
WilmerHale’s lease, recognized by both Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and World Trade Center developer Larry A. Silverstein, made history as the first lease in the City to allow the tenant and the owner to benefit from energy efficient improvements while sharing in the costs to make the improvement attainable. The lease promotes enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability, and complements what the firm hopes will be a LEED Gold certification for its space—one of the few firms in the City to have that honor.
WilmerHale is the first major law firm to move from Midtown to Downtown since 9/11. It saw the opportunity in its new offices to significantly increase its technological capabilities, workspace efficiency, and quality of life for its lawyers and staff. Highlights of the new space include an efficient floor plan with a modern infrastructure to help save money and lower capital costs; common spaces that encourage collaboration and project management; Wi-Fi throughout the offices, a tele-presence room and high-end video conferencing capabilities in the conference center; as well as floor-to-ceiling glass walls to increase natural light, better indoor air quality, improved temperature control and a quieter workspace.
“This cost- and energy-efficient building helps us control costs for our clients, while the important technological and workspace improvements enhance the quality of life for all of our colleagues. We are proud to be part of the growth of the Lower Manhattan business district,” said Susan Murley, co-managing partner of WilmerHale.
To show its commitment to the Lower Manhattan community, and its support of emerging technology and social media companies that are central to its corporate practice, WilmerHale has become a sponsor of the Downtown Alliance’s free Wi-Fi network. In 2003, the Downtown Alliance pioneered the city’s most extensive free, public Wi-Fi initiative. Today, there are over a dozen hotspots, covering 715,000 square feet—the rough equivalent of 17 football fields.
“This summer, WilmerHale joins more than 350 companies that have relocated to Lower Manhattan since 2005,” said Elizabeth H. Berger, president of the Alliance for Downtown New York. “They have fast become an active member of the business community and a sustainability and technology leader, starting with the firm’s trendsetting “green lease” at Silverstein Properties’ renowned 7 World Trade Center and now by sponsoring free Wi-Fi throughout Lower Manhattan.”
The Downtown Alliance manages the Downtown-Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District (BID), serving an area roughly from City Hall to the Battery, from the East River to West Street. The mission of the Alliance for Downtown New York is to provide service, advocacy, research and information to advance Lower Manhattan as a global model of a 21st century Central Business District for businesses, residents and visitors.
WilmerHale’s New York practices are thriving, with a goal toward thoughtful growth in its key practices of IP, financial services, bankruptcy, white collar, securities, litigation and emerging technology practices, which have prevailed on significant matters in the market, in part due to our outstanding regulatory and enforcement reputation and capabilities. Recent lateral hires include Richard Andersen, Lisa Firenze, James Carter, Robert Finkel and Drew Chapman, who are part of the office’s nearly 200 lawyers.